Since the beginning of recorded history, fish has always been an important source of protein for humans. Delicious, rich in nutrients, and high in unsaturated fatty acids, fish are beneficial for our health. However, seafood is minimal in the American diet, and on average only about 5 percent of Americans eat seafood more than once a week.
Besides the expensive price tags, many people don’t consume fish or shellfish due to the heavy metals found in them. Currently, there are several definitions for heavy metal. According to one definition, heavy metals are any metallic chemical elements that have a high atomic weight and a density at least five times greater than that of water. The heavy metals found in seafood include lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury, with mercury in fish giving the most cause for concern for many people.
