Some of the seafood that is rich in omega-3 and protein and decorates the table is not only beneficial to the body, but also harms. The increase in pollution in the seas triggers the formation of heavy metals in their products. Stating that heavy metal mercury, which causes many neurological diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, brain and spinal cord tumors, is mostly seen in bottom fish and crustacean products such as mussels and oysters. Faculty Member Murat Doğan said, “There is very little problem with smaller fish such as horse mackerel and anchovy. If we take in more than 0.05 milligrams of mercury on a daily basis, it causes accumulation in our body, liver, kidneys, and brain." "If you feel tingling, then see a doctor and get a heavy metal test."
1 UNIT OF MERCURY IN THE SEA COMES TO 100 UNITS IN FISH
Pointing out that mercury is an inorganic substance and becomes methylated by bacteria and microorganisms in the sea, Dr. Faculty Member Murat Doğan said, “The main poison is methyl mercury. It is methyl mercury found in fish and other crustaceans. If there is 1 unit of mercury in the sea, close to 100 units of mercury can accumulate in the fish," he said.
ATTENTION TO BIG FISH AND CLAMS
Stating that big fish that live longer than mercury are more affected, Doğan said, “Swordfish can live up to 20 years and tuna can live up to 5 years. They have a system called bioconcentration. This mercury accumulates in the body of the fish. The danger is higher in bottom fish, but less in surface fish and small fish such as anchovy and horse mackerel. You may not have a problem when you consume big fish once a week. What we need to do is to consume fish 1-2 times a week at most. Since we consume crustaceans with their digestive system, there may be more mercury accumulation in their internal organs. Oysters and mussels can be given as examples, but there is not much in crabs," he said.
“TRIGGERS NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES”
Stating that when more than 0.05 milligrams of mercury is taken daily, diseases will give symptoms, Dr. from Istanbul Gelişim University. Faculty Member Murat Doğan continued his words as follows:
“When consumed in excess, it causes accumulation in our liver, kidneys, brain. Then we start to see the toxic effects of this. Problems begin to appear in the nervous system. Causes kidney and liver damage. In order to prevent this, what needs to be done is to turn to smaller fish. Pregnant and lactating women should also be very careful. It can also cause neurological problems in children aged 3-6 years.
VEDAT MILOR: 'GONE A BATTERY IN YOUR CLAMS'
Food critic Vedat Milor, who stated that he felt slowing down, tingling and imbalance in his feet while playing tennis, suffered from mercury poisoning in 2007.
Expressing that he guessed that the shaking of his hands was caused by mercury poisoning, Milor explained the process he went through with the following words:
“I used to play good tennis at the time, but suddenly I started to wobble while running. It was slow and unbalanced. Strange sensations began to appear in my toes. Out of the blue it hurt, hardened, itched, and tingled. My own doctor first suspected diabetes, he was tested but nothing came out. I saw a neurologist and had a heavy metal test done. Mercury and arsenic were released. Mercury comes from the sea and arsenic comes from pesticides from fruits and vegetables. Mercury especially affects the immune system, and when it crosses a certain threshold, it also affects the brain. Napoleon is said to have died of mercury poisoning. It happens a lot, especially in mussels. A Turkish doctor said, 'Pillar meat is better than eating mussels'. I did not know that. It is not completely removed from the body, it can have permanent damage. I haven't eaten seafood for a while. My disease did not go down to normal, but remained at acceptable levels. Agriculture ministries abroad explain how much mercury is in which seafood. Small fish do not. When fish are poisoned by mercury, they become stiff and it is easier to hunt them. We also eat them. Don't be delusional, but if you feel slowness, unsteadiness, tingling, then it's a good idea to see a doctor and get a heavy metal test.
CITIZENS ARE AWARE OF THE MERCURY RISK; PREFERS SMALL FISH
Stating that he consumes fish 1-2 times a week even though he knows that there is a risk of heavy metals in it, Muhtesar Sander said, “We consume fish selectively. When buying fish, I pay attention to the top sea fish. We also consume fish according to the season," he said. Stating that he does not consume fish sometimes twice or not at all, Aydın Cinbat said, "I know that some fish contain mercury, but I consume fish. I think that it will be less or even not in the fish in the sea. I consume anchovies, horse mackerel and blueberry. Small fish are generally It is tastier and healthier.” Tell me you like anchovies the most
