Long term affects of mercury poisoning?

I ate tuna every day for 2 years when I was 13 and 14 years old. I stopped eating tuna for 2 years at 15 and 16 then I started eating it again at age 17 (this year). Recently people have been telling me about mercury poisoning and its long term effects. I'm wondering if my consumption rate will have any effect on my health or the health of children I plan to have in the future. Is there a chance of my children being mentally disabled or deformed? Thanks for your help.

[hopefulmommy80]

high mercury levels are reversible: cutting consumption of mercury-contaminated fish causes blood mercury to drop, though it can take six months or more. hope this helps.

[SassyLassie]

Hello Kathy~I can understand your concern over this, but, I don't think you have too much to worry about with Tuna, I eat it all the time, just love it, and I have not noticed any symptoms of mercury poisoning, and when I had a hair analysis done awhile back, it did not show any raise in the levels in my system.

Actually, Tuna and any fish, is good for you, it has a lot of DHA and EPA in it, and they are necessary for good heart health.

so, I would not worry if I were you, stick to the reputable brands of tuna or any fish for that matter, and I really think you will be fine.

[caregiver222]

I'm with SassyLassie.

There is an overconcern with toxic substances in food. We went from having no concern whatsoever to "gee-whiz" articles predicting dire consequences from the ongoing process of living.

I've been stuck on tuna for decades, and don't give it a thought.

I would avoid it during pregnancy.

There is a far more liklihood of having a birth defect from simple unnecessary diagnostic x-rays. And even that liklihood is very low.

[allmymarbles]

I must disagree with all of the replies which pooh pooh mercury poisoning. You feel that way because you have not developed mercury poisoning - yet. Yes, I love fish. I love it so much that I was eating it five times a week. Then my skin began to peel and I was visited by a friendly white rat and kept seeing elusive mice out of the corner of my eye. I got tested. Mercury poisoning. I underwent chelation. My white rate has deserted me and the house is mouse free.