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Review
. 2011 Jan;57(1):26-30.

Healthy fish consumption and reduced mercury exposure: counseling women in their reproductive years

Alan Abelsohn  1 , Loren D Vanderlinden, Fran Scott, Josephine A Archbold, Tara L Brown
Affiliations
Review

Healthy fish consumption and reduced mercury exposure: counseling women in their reproductive years

Alan Abelsohn et al. Can Fam Physician. 2011 Jan.

Abstract
in English, French

Objective: To provide family physicians with a practical, evidence-based approach to counseling women about healthy fish eating.

Sources of information: MEDLINE was searched for articles published between 1999 and 2008. Most studies described in this article provide level II or III evidence.

Main message: Fish is an important component of a healthy diet for women in their reproductive years owing to the beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids on the neurologic development of the fetus. However, some fish species contain considerable methylmercury, which crosses the placenta and has harmful effects on neurobehavioural development. As many jurisdictions have issued fish consumption advisories, which can be confusing, women would benefit from individualized assistance from a trusted source, their family physicians, to clarify the risks and benefits of eating fish.

Conclusion: We recommend that family physicians counsel women in their reproductive years about healthy choices regarding fish in their diet, and provide appropriate resources.

Objectif: Proposer au médecin de famille une méthode fondée sur des preuves pour conseiller les femmes au sujet d’une consommation saine de poisson.

Sources de l’information: On a cherché dans MEDLINE les articles publiés entre 1999 et 2008. La plupart des études décrites dans cet article possédaient des preuves de niveaux II et III.

Principal message: Le poisson est une composante importante d’une alimentation saine pour les femmes en âge de procréer, en raison des effets bénéfiques des acides gras oméga-3 sur le développement neurologique du fœtus. Toutefois, certains poissons contiennent des quantités considérable de mercure, lequel traverse la barrière placentaire et a des effets nocifs sur le développement neurocomportemental. Comme plusieurs organismes ont émis des avertissements au sujet de la consommation de poisson, créant ainsi une certaine confusion, il serait avantageux que les femmes bénéficient d’une assistance individualisée de la part d’une source fiable comme leurs médecins de famille afin de mieux comprendre les risques et avantages de la consommation de poisson.

Conclusion: Nous sommes d’avis que le médecin de famille doit conseiller les femmes en âge de procréer sur les choix sains concernant leur consommation de poisson en plus de leur fournir les ressources appropriées.

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References

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