EFSA: best to consume at least two servings of fish per week

Consuming 1-2 servings of fish per week during pregnancy is associated with improved neurological development in children, according to new guidance from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Such amounts also appear to reduce the risk of mortality from coronary heart disease in adults. The claims take into account both the effects of nutrients such as Omega-3s and contaminants such as mercury. Details of these recommendations can be found in the new paper "Scientific Opinion on the Health Benefits of Consuming Foods of Marine Origin (Fish and Shellfish) in Relation to Health Risks Associated with Exposure to Methylmercury" produced by an expert group mandated by the European Commission.

Risks and benefits of fish consumption

EFSA's act comes on the heels of recommendations issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration in the past month to encourage pregnant and lactating women and children to consume seafood products by choosing low-mercury species. It is precisely the presence of this contaminant and its most toxic form, methylmercury, known to adversely affect fetal development, that has caused a reduction in fish consumption in recent years. New epidemiological studies have indicated that marine-derived Omega-3 EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) may counteract the adverse effects of methylmercury exposure. It is therefore important that fish consumption be such that benefits are maximized and risks minimized. To this end, it is necessary to review the guidelines that have contributed to the decrease in fish consumption in past years. In 2011, the European Commission asked EFSA to consider new developments in toxicity and assess whether the tolerable weekly intake of methylmercury, considered by FAO and WHO experts to be 1.6 µg per kg of body weight, was still appropriate.

The role of seafood products in Europe

The Panel on Dietary Products, thenutrition and Allergies (NDA), of EFSA, provided a rigorous opinion on the human health benefits of fish consumption in relation to the risks associated with methylmercury exposure. Taking cohort studies into consideration, the NDA Panel examined the role of foods of marine origin in European diets and assessed risks and benefits in population subgroups such as pregnant or lactating women, infants, children and adults. It also defined which nutrients contribute to the positive effects of seafood, and whether those effects can be quantified.

EFSA's conclusions: eat fish at least twice a week

As reported by the paper, fish and shellfish are a source of energy and protein with high biological value and contribute to the 'intake of nutrients such as Iodine, Selenium, Calcium, vitamins A and D, and Omega-3, which are essential for health. The analyses showed that most dietary guidelines recommend eating fish twice a week to ensure intakes of essential nutrients. Recommendations for children and pregnant women, depend on the type of fish and are based on safety considerations, such as the presence of contaminants. Available data suggest that there is great variability in seafood consumption in Europe, depending on countries and age groups. Fish provides the recommended amounts of Omega-3 in most of the countries considered. According to experts, in women who consumed 1-2 servings of fish per week (up to 3-4 servings) during gestation, neurological development of the fetus is better than in children of women who consumed none. These servings are also associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease in adults. In contrast, there is no evidence that larger doses have additional benefits on neurodevelopment or cardiovascular risk. The health benefits are likely due to the 'high EPA and DHA content of these foods. The positive action of fish and shellfish during gestation may also depend on maternal nutritional status and the contribution of fish, compared with other food sources, in meeting nutrient demands. Quantitative analyses of the effects of fish consumption on neurodevelopment and cardiovascular mortality risk have been hampered by the heterogeneity of studies investigating these relationships. To stay up to date with the latest news from Omega-3 scientific research. sign up for our newsletter. - To learn more about triglycerides and fully understand what triglycerides are, what happens when you have high t riglycerides and low triglycerides, click on the respective links. - For more information, however, on hdl cholesterol, ldl cholesterol, cholesterol supplements, omega 3 cholesterol, and how to lower cholesterol without drugs click on the relevant links provided here. Source: EFSA Dietetic Products, Nutrition, and Allergies (NDA) . "Scientific Opinion on health benefits of seafood (fish and shellfish) consumption in relation to health risks associated with exposure to methylmercury." EFSA Journal 2014;12(7): 3761, 80 pp. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2014.3761