Sometimes we
talked about the mercury in fish because there is risk of high intake of
certain fish through and for that reason there are limitations consumption
during pregnancy, lactation and infancy. But also if you plan to get pregnant
you have to be careful about methylmercury in fish.
Methyl mercury or methyl mercury is a neurotoxic compound capable of focusing on the body through bio accumulation. Many people are exposed to this organic compound of mercury pollutants relevant effects in foods for infants and women take during pregnancy as it is transferred through the placenta to the fetus.
But despite that mercury poisoning is a serious problem, the short-term solutions are very simple: monitor the consumption of fish with high mercury content.
This metal is found in fairly high concentrations in fish such as swordfish (emperor), bluefin tuna, pike, tilefish, king mackerel and shark. These fish are those that are prohibited in the case of women of childbearing age (or plan to become pregnant).
If you regularly consume this fish, consider avoiding them from now on. It is recommended a year of "cleansing" before pregnancy, because mercury is removed from the body naturally, but it may take twelve months or longer to return to safe levels.
And that methylmercury can accumulate in the body of a woman before she gets pregnant, if you regularly eat. Over methylmercury can accumulate in the bloodstream and if pregnancy occurs when there are high levels of mercury can pass through the blood to the fetus.
High levels of mercury can damage the developing nervous system of the fetus. According to the World Health Organization, this metal can be toxic to the nervous and immune systems, gastrointestinal tract, skin and lungs, kidneys and eyes. The fetal stage is the most vulnerable to damage from mercury:
In utero exposure to methylmercury from maternal consumption of fish or shellfish can damage the brain and nervous system growing baby. The main health consequence of methylmercury is impaired neurological development. Therefore exposure to this substance during the fetal stage may further affect cognitive thinking, memory, attention span, language and fine motor and visual spatial-abilities of the child.
However, remember that other fish are healthy and yes recommended during pregnancy, oily fish such as albacore (tuna and canned) or salmon, sardines, herring, small mackerel, anchovies, mullet ...; and white fish such as hake, whiting, monkish, scorpion fish, flounder, megrim, fresh cod ...
In short, whether you're pregnant and if you plan to have a baby, attention to methyl mercury in fish: avoid species with high levels from now if you did not and the agency will be "cleaner" better prepared for the conception and fetal development.
