Thank you for emailing the interesting MercuryPCRM pdf file.
The fish illustrated looks like a New Zealand nannygai (koarea) or
golden snapper, Centroberyx affinis. If this is the species illustrated
what are New Zealand seafood sellers saying about this attack on their
species and what levels of mercury and other contaminants does this
species contain?
The PCRM report states the following:
"Proponents defend fish consumption as a boon to cardiovascular health.
That's because some species contain Omega-3 fatty acids, which may help
guard against heart disease. But that argument doesn't hold water. For
one thing, fish are hardly the only source of Omega-3. Walnuts and flax
seeds, for example, provide a similar benefit."
I would like to know from the authors of the PCRM report which fish
species don't contain omega-3 fatty acids? I don't know the answer.
Also, I think the evidence is conclusive that omega-3 fatty acids
definitely do guard against heart disease. Also I do not believe that a
diet of walnuts and flax seeds provides a similar benefit to eating
fish.
In 2001 on the Fish-Sci email list Dr. William Silvert brought attention
to a paper in "The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences."
The entire paper is available in pdf format on the web.
>From Dr. William Silvert:
Sent: Fri 01/06/2001
FISH CONSUMPTION - THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MONKEYS AND MAN?: On 22 May,
(2001) a report was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy
of Sciences on findings that indicated that 20,000 years ago humans were
eating significant amounts of aquatic (fish, mollusks, and/or birds)
foods in some of their diets. By contrast, European Neanderthal remains
do not indicate significant use of inland aquatic foods but instead show
that they obtained the majority of their protein from red meat. Other
researchers suggest that this finding supports the idea that a
concentration on fish food helped to boost the brain power of early
humans. Such food is known to contain higher levels of DHA, a fatty acid
proven to enhance brain and eye development. In the study, researchers
led by Erik Trinkaus of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri,
analyzed the levels of the carbon and nitrogen isotopes in the bones of
early modern humans unearthed in the Czech Republic, Russia and Great
Britain. Those isotopes are thought to be the chemical signature for a
diet rich in fish and waterfowl. Stephen Cunnane, a professor of
nutrition at the University of Toronto, called the study "an important
finding" that supports a theory that the brainpower of early humans was
boosted by a diet rich in seafood containing DHA. "I am delighted that
other researchers are now finding supporting evidence," said Cunnane.
"We know that DHA was important in the development of the larger brain."
For the full article (Vol. 98, Issue 11, 6528-6532) go to:
www.pnas.org.is .
--There is no doubt that millions of people in the US and in Britain have serious dietary problems and the food industry certainly deserves part of the blame. Millions of people in these countries are eating themselves to death. These people just don't need as much food as they are eating. The US and now the British food industry could stop offering gluttonous "all you can eat" meals for a start and the various "eat as much as you can in ten minutes" competitions promoted in various trade journals are repulsive. Tempting people to eat more than they should to increase profit is immoral in my mind. Moderation leads to a happier and a healthier life.
Yours sincerely, Richard
Richard Lord, Secretary Guernsey Fisherman's Association
Research Officer, Marine Section La Societe Guernesiaise
Bailiwick of Guernsey Angling Committee
Tel: 01481 700688 Fax: 01481 700699 Email: fishinfo@guernsey.net
-----Original Message----- From: owner-seafood@ucdavis.edu [mailto:owner-seafood@ucdavis.edu] On Behalf Of Santerre, Charles Sent: 18 May 2004 18:49 To: seafood@ucdavis.edu Subject: NBC Nightly News Tonight
Dear ListServ Subscribers: I am circulating these items just so you will be aware of this story running tonight on NBC Nightly News. I do not support the statements made in these items. Please don't take out your frustrations on the messenger (me) as I am also frustrated by this move.
Subject: NBC Nightly News is promoting tonight's story on the risks of eating fish.
The Net has bought ad time on traffic report network that supplies updates to radio stations nationwide.
This coverage coincides with today's Wash Post ad by Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
PCRM's argument is here: www.pcrm.org/news/commentary0404.html
Charlie
Charles R. Santerre, Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Foods and Nutrition Purdue University Stone Hall, Rm. 205 700 W. State St. West Lafayette, IN 47907-2059 phone: 765/496-3443 fax: 765/494-0674 e-mail: santerre@purdue.edu http://fn.cfs.purdue.edu/santerre/
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