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Mercury From Fish Lowers Testosterone |
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Written by Superhuman
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Thursday, 17 January 2008 |
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Mercury is a highly toxic pollutant that enters the environment from coal-using electrical plants, waste incinerators and byproducts of various manufactured goods. Mercury accumulates in several species of large fish, such as ...
tuna, shark and swordfish. Mercury is particularly toxic to children and pregnant women. It is linked to neurological abnormalities, damage to brain centers controlling movement, seizures and developmental and mental retardation. It is also a testicular toxicant and impairs the reproductive system in men and decreases blood testosterone and sperm production. Mercury poisoning is a major public health issue in populations that eat a lot of fish, such as the Inuits in Northern Canada. Canadian researchers tested the effects of various proteins and fats in reducing the damage caused by high mercury intake in the diet. Mercury-fed rats consumed diets high in soy protein, casein, whey protein isolate, fish oil, or high-protein fish meal. Mercury caused significant reduction in testosterone in the whey protein isolate, soybean oil and fish oil groups. Only diets high in high-protein fish meal prevented a reduction in testosterone and testicular size in the animals. The best nutritional strategy is to eat foods that are not contaminated with mercury. (Food Chemical Toxicology, 46: 270-279, 2008)
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