10 - Fish Tox Nutrition

Question 1

Explain the healthy aspect of seafood:

Answer 1

• Beneficial omega-3 fatty acids that are important in the neurodevelopment in children
• Salmon - fatty fish - good for your health - safe to eat because doesn’t contain lots of contaminants

Question 2

What is the toxic organic form of mercury?

Answer 2

MeHg

Question 3

What are some toxins other than Mercury present in Lakes?

Answer 3

• PCBs
• Chlordane
• Dioxins
• DDT
• Others

Question 4

What are the good aspects of fish:

Answer 4

• main protein source for more than 1 billion people worldwide (rely on fish as their main protein source)
• contain nutrients
• recreation, culture, economic, spiritual

Question 5

What are the bad aspects of fish:

Answer 5

• sustainability concerns of fish
• contain toxic chemicals, like mercury
• ecosystem services (env 50% lakes/rivers affected in the US)
• 1/6 women have unsafe levels of mercury
• public health messages concerning fish consumption during pregnancy are mixed
• mercury: neurodevelopment, CVD, immune

Question 6

T or F: sometimes expensive seafood is swapped for cheaper

Answer 6

T

Question 7

Name the 2 main ways we obtain fish:

Answer 7

• Aquaculture

- Capture fisheries

Question 8

T or F: In Minamata, a series of infants poisoned in their mother’s womb was recorded by the first investigative team from Kumamoto University. The researchers also noted that many children born from 1955 onward suffered from developmental disturbances that suggested diffuse cerebral dysfunction (congenital methylmercury poisoning)

Answer 8

T

Question 9

T or F: methylmercury is a stable complex in the body

Answer 9

T

Question 10

T or F: methylmercury and the amino acid methionine are both very similar in structure and the body cannot tell the difference between both

Answer 10

T

Question 11

The methylmercury cation ________ attaches to the thiol ligand of the amino acid cysteine, to form a complex that mimics the structure of the large neutral amino acid, methionine

Answer 11

CH3Hg+

Question 12

Explain the mechanisms behind the toxicity of mercury:

Answer 12

1) MeHg can cross blood brain barrier and placenta

2) Hg has high affinity for protein thiols = multiple targets

Question 13

Explain the continuum of effects:

Answer 13

1) molecular/biochemical response
2) tissue lesions
3) behavioral changes
4) lethal effects

Question 14

__________________ is not an easy undertaking or a permanent solution to the issue of contaminants in country foods and can only ever be an interim approach to protecting humans from exposure to contaminants

Answer 14

Risk communication

Question 15

Environmental justice means that all communities are ______, _______ and ________

Answer 15

• clean
• livable
• sustainable

Question 16

T or F: A fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies

Answer 16

T

Question 17

Name the 6 nutrients contained in fish:

Answer 17

• protein
• calcium
• vitamin A
• omega-3 fatty acids
• zinc
• iron

Question 18

_____________ is a component of every body cell, important for growth and repairing, supporting neurological function, digestion and hormones

Answer 18

Protein

Question 19

_____ is essential for brain development in children and increases maternal survival rates

Answer 19

Iron

Question 20

____ is crucial for childhood survival, reduces stunting in children and fights diarrhea

Answer 20

zinc

Question 21

_______ is crucial for brain development, cognition and immune system, reducing risk of coronary heart disease and stroke

Answer 21

omega-3 fa

Question 22

___________ is essential for childhood survival, prevents blindness, helps fight infections and promotes healthy growth

Answer 22

vitamin A

Question 23

________ helps prevent preeclampsia and preterm delivery delivery in women, and is essential for strong bones and teeth

Answer 23

calcium