The Mercury-in-Fish Scare: How Safe Is All That Seafood You're Eating? Fish is a go-to protein sources for bodybuilders and other athletes, but rumors swirl that mercury makes eating fish unsafe. Here's the truth.

 

Bodybuilders and fitness models rely on well-balanced diets that include a variety of fish and seafood to help attain their physical goals. Many types of fish and seafood are extremely low in fat, making them an appropriate, high-quality source of animal protein. Even fattier cuts of fish offer benefits for general health and athletic performance because they contain heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. A diet that includes fish and seafood is good for bodybuilders and models. Evidence also shows that eating fish can promote a healthy pregnancy, enhance brain and eye development of the fetus, aid thinking and learning during childhood, and slow mental decline as people age10. Fish also provides a significant source of vitamin D and other valuable minerals, including selenium, iodine, magnesium, iron and copper.8 But there's a catch: All seafood contains mercury, a naturally occurring chemical element that can be harmful to humans. With the threat of mercury in fish and seafood, do athletes need to be concerned? Let's fish for answers to some frequently asked questions on the subject.