(NAPSA)—Eating morefish is good for your health. That’s the finding of research conducted by the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis (HCRA) at the Harvard School of Public Health. The study, “A Quantitative Analysis of the Risks and Benefits Associated with Changes in Fish Consumption,” analyzed the potential impact of consumerreac- tions to federal advisories that warn about the effects of mercury exposure from fish. Advisories could be misinterpreted and keep people from eating fish and seafood. On average, Americans con- sume less than half the weekly intake of fish recommendedby the federal government, in part due to fears of mercury exposure. However, the immense health benefits of fish and seafood far outweigh the minute risk of mercury contamination from commonly con- sumedfish. “Fish are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which may protect against coronary heart disease and stroke, and are thought to aid in the neurological development of unborn babies,” said Joshua Cohen, lead author and senior research associate at HCRA. “If that information gets A recent study by the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis found that fish is a healthful food for people ofall ages. servings of fish per week and choosing from a variety of fish and seafood low in mercury. The benefit from fish consumption during pregnancy could amountto an increase in IQ level for the newborn. “There is no debate within the scientific community that the fatty acids in fish are essential for lost in how the public perceives human health. Study after study demonstrates that from birth to adverse health outcomes.” Since the body cannot manu- reduced risk of heart attack and stroke to improved eye health,” this issue, then people may inappropriately curtail fish consumption and increase their risk for facture omega-3 fatty acids, people rely on fish to provide this essential compound. old age, omega-3 fatty acids confer important health benefits, from optimal brain function and the said Joyce Nettleton, D.Sc., R.D., author of “Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Health.” “Fish is a healthful risk of heart disease andstroke. food for peopleof all ages.” Clear messages resulting from studies such as this encourage could increase the cognitive devel- and seafood as part of a healthy diet. For more information about the study, visit www.ajpm-online. child by eating the recommended www.aboutseafood.com. Eating less fish was also linked to a significant increase in the The study concluded that pregnant women, who are at far ereater risk for mercury exposure, opment benefits for their unborn people to continue to enjoy fish net, for great fish recipes, go to
