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Fish Facts
 

The National Women’s Health Information Center, a service of the Office of Women’s Health (OWH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), lists the dangers pregnant women, nursing mothers, and women who may become pregnant face when they consume fish and shellfish. This fact sheet offers substitutes for fish and shellfish that may be high in mercury. This information is useful for health managers, nurses, and professionals to share with women in their child care organizations and health centers.

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Fish Facts

Fish and shellfish can be an important part of a healthy diet. They are a great source of protein and heart–healthy omega-3 fatty acids. 

But almost all fish and shellfish contain some mercury. Mercury is a metal that can harm the brain of your unborn baby – even before it is conceived. Mercury mainly gets into our bodies by the fish we eat. Only high levels of this metal seem to be harmful to developing babies. So the risk of mercury in fish and shellfish depends on the amount and type you eat.  More>> [PDF, 147KB]


 

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Fish Facts. HHS/OWH. 2006. English. [PDF, 147KB].