Mercury (methylmercury)
Toxins · Heavy metal / neurotoxicant
Moderate priority
Bottom line
Read Off Label rates Mercury (methylmercury) a MODERATE avoidance priority (5.9/10) based on strong evidence of moderate harm magnitude and moderate exposure prevalence.
FDA 2021 'Best Choices': salmon, shrimp, pollock, tilapia, cod, catfish.
The intervention here is reducing exposure, not adding a compound.
What this is
FDA 2021 'Best Choices': salmon, shrimp, pollock, tilapia, cod, catfish. 'Choices to Avoid': shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish (Gulf), bigeye tuna. Amalgam filling debate continues; FDA 2020 advisory recommended against amalgam in pregnant women and children but not broad removal.
Mechanism
Methylmercury bioaccumulates in seafood (larger, older predator fish); elemental mercury from dental amalgam (clinical relevance debated); inorganic mercury from industrial sources
Dose & route
Favor low-mercury fish (salmon, sardines, anchovies); limit tuna (especially bigeye/yellowfin), swordfish, shark, king mackerel, tilefish
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25019945/
- https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/advice-about-eating-fish
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6533042/
- https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00013858
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41605298/
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
Common questions
- How harmful is Mercury (methylmercury)?
- Mercury (methylmercury) is rated MODERATE avoidance priority (5.9/10) on the Read Off Label scale, derived from strong evidence of moderate harm magnitude and moderate exposure prevalence.
- How does Mercury (methylmercury) cause harm?
- Methylmercury bioaccumulates in seafood (larger, older predator fish); elemental mercury from dental amalgam (clinical relevance debated); inorganic mercury from industrial sources
- How do you reduce exposure to Mercury (methylmercury)?
- FDA 2021 'Best Choices': salmon, shrimp, pollock, tilapia, cod, catfish.
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.