by Merry Armentrout
Rod Stewart and wife Penny Lancaster are opening up about their infertility struggle while trying to have a second child. After undergoing three IVF cycles, they are expecting a baby this spring. Lancaster told Hello! magazine in its latest issue that fish was to blame for her difficulty in conceiving. She said her doctor informed her she had high levels of mercury in her system which can be damaging while trying to get pregnant. Lancaster thought she was being healthy by eating fish, but was unaware of the higher mercury levels in fish like, tuna, swordfish and halibut. There is controversy surrounding what constitutes safe levels of mercury, but most researchers agree high levels of mercury can damage an unborn's child nervous system.
In 2004, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory statement regarding mercury in fish, specifically targeting woman who are trying to get pregnant, pregnant, nursing mothers and children. The agencies acknowledge the health benefits of fish and shellfish in a person's diet, including the importance of omega-3 fatty acids, and suggest adding this lean source of protein for both woman and children. The problem is too much mercury can harm an unborn baby, so the EPA and FDA put into place guidelines for women who want to become pregnant or who are pregnant.
- Do not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, or Tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.
- Eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.
- Five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.
- Another commonly eaten fish, albacore ("white") tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna. So, when choosing your two meals of fish and shellfish, you may eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) of albacore tuna per week.
- Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in your local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. If no advice is available, eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) per week of fish you catch from local waters, but don't consume any other fish during that week.
The EPA says women who want to get pregnant should stay away from fish with higher levels of mercury because mercury can accumulate in your bloodstream, and could take years for the levels to drop back to normal. The FDA has list of mercury levels in commercial fish and shellfish on their website, and the EPA has a website dedicated to educating the public on the latest fish advisories, including national and local and national advisory programs. The American Fertility Association recently updated their infertility prevention handbook to include the suggested guidelines, and information on the dangers of high mercury levels being linked to cancer, miscarriage and autism.
Penny Lancaster had no idea mercury could impact her fertility. She told Hello!magazine about the physical and emotional tolls of undergoing three IVF treatments, but also how it was all worth it when she found out she was pregnant. Knowledge is power, so know there are things you can do, along with things you shouldn't, before you get pregnant to help increase your chances of a successful pregnancy.
Photo from Hello! magazine
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