Another Fishy Story - To Eat or Not to Eat What to do, what to do? For several years we’ve been urged to eat more fish, less meat, and to leave the beef completely alone. Soy was going to be an alternate protein source and all was going to be fine. Not so! The latest study which came out in Environmental Health Perspectives (a journal of the U.S. National Institute of Health) states front and centre that lake fish and northern fish are more contaminated than previously thought, and the fattier the fish, the more contamination. A recent study of hundreds of people from age 49 to 86 proved beyond a doubt that people who eat at least 24 lbs of fish from the Great Lakes per year suffer from brain deficiencies. These people, from Michigan, were monitored over a year’s time and it was found that the PCBs (101 of the participants ate no fish at all) caused memory problems and lower learning skills. Other areas of the brain seemed to be functioning normally. The chemicals affect nerve cells and prevent calcium uptake and signalling. It’s not known if the damage is reversible, but verbal memory was definitely affected. The first study, which came out in 1990, made everyone aware of the dangers to children, both in the womb and those breastfeeding. It was determined then that women in the high Eastern Arctic and Greenland had much higher levels of PCBs in their breast milk. The assumption (correct, it turned out) was that airborne PCBs from the heavy industry in the north eastern U.S. and Canada drifted with the winds into the north and washed into the lakes and oceans, contaminating fish much more seriously than ever though. Seals, walruses, whales, bears and pretty much all living creatures are adversely affected. Today, some of the participants in the latest study living on Lake Ontario who eat fish every day (caught and eaten fresh) have been told that their whole families are affected with the brain cognition devaluation. These folks thought they were doing the best for their children by eating fresh food and not eating commercially produced meat, which is high in artificial hormones and antibiotics. The University of Illinois also conducted an extensive study and have called for thorough dredging of rivers flowing into Lake Ontario and Michigan from the industrial areas upriver. Apparently, the cleanest of the Great Lakes is Lake Superior which has very few cities along its shores, and no large rivers with effluent flowing into it. Surprisingly, central Alberta with its pristine wilderness has been marked as an area where lake fish and venison should not be eaten. This dates back to a PCB (air) spill accident at the Swan Hills waste treatment facility a couple of years ago. The company always maintained that there would never be a problem in receiving waste from around the continent, but they were made to eat their words, pay high fines…but continue to operate. Now all wildlife has been affected. There is only a 30 km (18mile) radius with the ban, which seems to be inadequate because animals migrate over much greater distances. The Love Canal scandal immediately comes to mind when I hear about the Great Lakes predicament. And there are many other such places where toxic wastes were dumped. Not only were PCBs found in electrical transformers and car exhaust, but they’re still found in old paint and varnish. In 1996 two doctors, Joseph and Sandra Jacobson reported that children born to mothers eating fish from Lake Michigan led to long-term mental deficiencies, especially noted in IQ or EQ. Other scientists noticed very young children with odd reflex actions and cognitive difficulties. But don’t think that the best way is to switch back to eating lots of meat and dairy. These are also contaminated. 95% of the toxic substances in our bodies come from our food. Experts say that nobody should eat fatty fish more than once a month…but is it worth the risk? Essential Fatty Acids are essential. What a dichotomy…eating fish improves brain function, but eating fish can deplete brain function! The best bet is to eat fish from the deepest oceans that are essentially vegetarian fish (don't eat each other.) Also, the vegetarian sources of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids are excellent if they come from ORGANIC, cold pressed Flax and flax oil, grapeseed oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Hemp Oil. Raw nuts and seeds, cooked legumes like lentils and beans, also organic are excellent. A strong immune system is essential for eliminating toxic substances from the liver where they lodge along with all fatty tissue in the body (another reason to become lean and mean…it’s thought that many women have developed cancer in their breasts because of this.) The bottom line is to become healthy and stay healthy. Remember that any processed substance is detrimental to good health (we can’t even call it food!) So be vigilant, especially with your children. You do want them to grow up to be smart, healthy, happy citizens. The hand writing is on the wall...or rather the water and air! Back to the Writing Index