You Dont Have To Give Up Sushi Just Make Safer Choices



With the recent health scares reported on mercury toxicity resulting from sushi consumption, many individuals have vowed to stay away from fish and seafood. A Los Gatos area physician is advising her patients just the opposite.

"What many people don't know is that they don't have to avoid sushi altogether - they just need to make safer and alternative choices," advises Dr. Renee Young. "By reducing your seafood intake due to the concern of contamination from mercury, you are skipping an important source of Omega 3 essential fatty acids. And, since the human body doesn't make Omega 3 fatty acids, you need to add them to your diet. Omega 3 oils are "good fats" and have been found to reverse, prevent or alleviate various health concerns," added Dr. Young.

Making sure your diet is rich in Omega 3 fats will help with overall health including reduction of inflammation, alleviation of allergy symptoms, proper hormone function decreased risk of heart disease and even reduction of risk for blood clots.

While mercury toxicity from consuming too much seafood should be a concern for fish lovers. There are a wide variety of low-mercury fish which you can eat and enjoy - such as wild salmon, sole, clam, crab, crawfish, flounder, haddock, herring, oyster, perch, pollock, salmon, sardines, scallops, shrimp, squid, tilapia, trout and whitefish.

Dr. Young advises her patients to monitor their intake of fish that are known to have higher levels of mercury such as king mackerel, shark, orange roughy, swordfish, and tuna.

Dr. Young also adds, "Be careful not to decrease fish intake and increase intake of farm animals, which can be higher in saturated fats. Saturated fats are not healthy for your body . Not to mention other issues with hormones, pesticides and antibiotics in farm animals that are not raised using organic or free-range chemical free methods. "

Most physicians only run a blood test to check for metals in the body. Often these tests are negative even in individuals who have been exposed. Mercury is stored primarily in the brain. In order to find out if you have mercury stored in your body , you need the right testing. Contact an alternative healthcare practitioner and ask to be tested using some challenge method. The doctor can test for mercury toxicity using one of several medications that will bind to metals in the brain and carry out of the body in urine. The test is called a Urine Toxic Metal Test (post-provocative). If you're found to have this toxicity, treatment is available. It will involve a very specific protocol to eliminate the metals you have in your body . In addition to detoxification treatment, your program should include a comprehensive diet tailored to your needs as well as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and/or homeopathic remedies.

By finding a healthy fish alternative to those high on the mercury scale, individuals can still enjoy their sushi without sacrificing their essential dietary sources.

About Dr. Renee Young

Dr. Renee Young is a Naturopathic Doctor licensed by the state of California. Dr. Young specializes in women's health, including hormone disorders, menopausal symptoms, and weight loss. She earned her doctorate degree in Naturopathic Medicine at the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, Connecticut and is also a graduate of Moravian College (Penn.) where she received a B.S. in both biology and psychology. She was one of the first Naturopathic Doctors licensed in California. To find out more about Dr. Young and naturopathic medicine, visit www.drreneeyoung.com or call 408.761.6781.





You Dont Have To Give Up Sushi Just Make Safer Choices