Lafayette Journal and Courier
March 7, 2003

Consumers should consider the benefits and risks of eating fishy food, Purdue University experts say.

"We know that eating fish -- which are full of protein and omega-3 fatty acids -- promotes good health," said Charles Santerre, a foods and nutrition associate professor who specializes in chemical contaminants in food. "At the same time, we know that some fish, including commercial fish, can be harmful."

Pregnant women, nursing mothers and young children need to carefully choose fish to eat, Santerre said. Certain fish can contain high levels of methylmercury that, if eaten regularly, can harm the developing nervous system of a fetus or infant. Swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tilefish should be avoided, he said.

Mercury is not the only substance to avoid. Some fish contain polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, a chemical compound commonly used in manufacturing until the 1970s. PCBs are a suspected carcinogen and have been linked to problems with motor skills in infants. Moreover, it takes six years for the body to get rid of PCBs and one year for mercury, Santerre said.

"The consumer -- especially a woman in her childbearing years -- needs to be discerning," he said.

But other fish provide consumers with high levels of healthy fats, according to Santerre. Salmon, which is high in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, should be a regular part of diets. Omega-3 fatty acids are necessary for brain development in babies and cardiovascular health in adults, Santerre said.

Jay Burgess, associate professor of foods and nutrition at Purdue, said everyone can benefit from a diet of omega-3 fatty acids, but adequate amounts are especially important for pregnant or nursing women.

"For some women, their breast milk omega-3 fatty acid content may not be sufficient," said Burgess, whose area of expertise is fatty acid analysis and metabolism. "It is a good idea to increase the amount of omega-3 in the mother's system so that when she nurses her milk has the optimal level of fatty acids."

Santerre said pregnant and nursing women can get the greatest benefit from fish by complying with a few recommendations. Some seafood is not safe to eat more than once a week or once a month.

"Consumers, especially a pregnant or nursing woman, should also be aware of the source of some food," Santerre said. "If she is not sure whether the commercial fish is farmed or wild, she should ask her grocer or waiter."

Fish safety is generally targeted to people who fish, a predominantly male group. Santerre is concerned women are not receiving the message about health and safe fish consumption.

"I feel we've done a poor job of getting information to people who are the most sensitive," he said.

Santerre wants to remedy that. He organized the Angling Indiana program, which provides a statewide fish advisory and information about commercial fish safety.

"We keep adding to it," said Santerre, whose goal is to make fish safety available to everyone.

Waterways of concern

All fish from the following waters are under a Group 5 advisory. Purdue University experts warn not to eat fish caught in these waterways because of high levels of contamination:

• Clear Creek, Monroe County
• Elliot Ditch, Tippecanoe County
• Grand Calumet River/Indiana Harbor Canal, Lake County
• Kokomo Creek, Howard County from U.S. 31 to Wildcat Creek
• Little Mississinewa River, Randolph County
• Little Sugar Creek/Walnut Fork, Montgomery County
• Pleasant Run Creek, Lawrence County
• Salt Creek, Downstream of Clear Creek in Monroe County and Lawrence County
• Stoney Creek, Hamilton County
• Sugar Creek, Montgomery County (I-74 to Indiana 32)
• Wea Creek, Tippecanoe County
• Wildcat Creek, Downstream of the Waterworks Dam in Kokomo to the Wabash River, and Howard and Carroll counties.

Information provided by:
Charles Santerre, Ph.D.
Department of Foods and Nutrition
Purdue University

On the Net