Is Consuming Fish Safe for Pregnant Women? What are the benefits and risks?

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Introduction

• Pregnancy makes women jitter even about regular
  food, understandably so.
• Now that you are sharing your food with the baby,
  you will have to be extra careful about your food
  habits as it directly affects the babys health.
• Even some of the healthiest foods which are
  consumed without any hesitation normally, have to
  be double checked. And Seafood falls under this
  category.

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• So, is consuming fish safe for pregnant women?
• Yes but only if you take necessary precautions.
  Fish being a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty
  acids and lean protein, it is one of the critical
  components for the optimal development of your
  child.
• But not all types of fish are safe for you too.
  So, the key here is choosing the right fish for
  consumption.
• But the problem with fish as a food is it harbors
  Mercury, a heavy metal that is dangerous for the
  development of the babys brain, sensory and
  motor skills development.
• A lot of industries drain their toxic mercury
  wastage into the seas and oceans. 

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• So, is consuming fish safe for pregnant women?

• The mercury is converted into methyl-mercury by
  the bacteria in the water. And when the fish
  consume these bacteria, the mercury enters the
  fish and stay in their body binding at the
  cellular level.
• These Mercury contents are generally found in the
  cells of predators at the top of the food chain.
  The bad thing about the mercury content is that
  it cannot be eliminated through cooking.
• Nominal levels of mercury dont harm much but
  when these mercury levels are left unchecked,
  they can cause serious damage to the baby.

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• What types of fish are to be avoided during
  pregnancy?
• Pregnant women must avoid Swordfish, Shark,
  Marlin, Atlantic salmon, Sailfish, Chilean sea
  bass, Walleye Orange roughy, Tilefish King
  Mackerel etc. are kinds of fish that are reported
  to contain high levels of mercury. You have to do
  away with the Uncooked Sushi too. Other types of
  fish have to be eaten in moderation that is not
  more than twice per week in average amounts.
• Having said that, the normal fish are super
  healthy and the little to no side effects easily
  outweigh the benefits of consuming this food.
  There are the must add to the diet of the
  pregnant women considering their wide array of
  benefits
• Fish is one of the critical components for the
  complete neurological development of the baby.

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• An extraordinary source of essential amino-acid
  and rich lean protein they help in boosting the
  brain health of the baby.
• The DHA and omega-3 fatty acids in the fish help
  the women battle the general depression and the
  mood swings during pregnancy.
• Fish helps in the optimal development of the baby
  and also drastically decreases the risk of
  preterm birth.
• Consuming normal amount of fish is not harmful
  unless you go on a fish only diet, which you
  probably wont. But as said above the risk
  depends upon the fish you choose. And the
  benefits of eating good fish far outweigh the
  negligible side effects.
• So eat the right fish in right amounts.

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