November 21, 2008, Newsletter Issue #91: Tuna and Mercury

Tip of the Week

Tuna is known for being moderately high in mercury contamination. So, you want to eat tuna but are unsure about a safe level of mercury? According to the Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency, the amount of tuna you can consume safely is based on your weight. The tuna is broken down per albacore or canned chunk light variety. Here are recommendations for safely consuming tuna:
This list is most important for pregnant woman, or those of childbearing years, and children. Everyone else can follow it to limit their mercury levels in tuna.
If you weigh over 150 pounds, for instance, it is recommended that you not consume more than one can of albacore tuna every 9 days, canned chunk light every 3 days.
If you weigh 140 lbs, do not eat more than one can of albacore tuna every 10 days, canned chunk light every 3 days.
If you weigh 130 pounds, do not eat more than one can of albacore tuna every 10 days, canned chunk every 4 days.
If you weigh 120 pounds, do not eat more than one can of albacore tuna every 11 days, canned chunk every 4 days.
For those weighing 110 pounds, it is 12 days for albacore tuna, 4 days for canned chunk.
For those weighing 100 pounds, it is 2 weeks for albacore tuna, 5 days for canned chunk.
If you weigh 90 pounds, it is 2 weeks for albacore tuna, 5 days for canned chunk light tuna.
For those weighing 80 pounds, do not eat more than one can of albacore tuna every 2 weeks, canned chunk light tuna every 6 days.
For those weighing 70 pounds, do not eat more than one can of albacore tuna every 3 weeks, canned chunk light tuna every 6 days.
For those weighing 60 pounds, do not eat more than one can of albacore tuna every 3 weeks, canned chunk light tuna every 7 days.
For those weighing 50 pounds, do not eat more than one can of albacore tuna every 4 weeks, canned chunk light tuna every 9 days.
For those weighing 40 pounds, do not eat more than one can of albacore tuna every 5 weeks, canned chunk light tuna every 11 days.
For those weighing 30 pounds, do not eat more than one can of albacore tuna every 6 weeks, canned chunk light tuna every 12 weeks.
For those weighing 20 pounds, do not eat more than one can of albacore tuna every 10 weeks, canned chunk light tuna every 3 weeks.

Well, there you have it. You can still eat your tuna, but just know what you are eating. Watch out for the mercury levels in fish.

About LifeTips

Now one of the top on-line publishers in the world, LifeTips offers tips to millions of monthly visitors. Our mission mission is to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Expert writers earn dough for what they know. And exclusive sponsors in each niche topic help us make-it-all happen.