Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!husc6!m2c!umvlsi!umaecs!keene
From: keene@ecs.umass.edu
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Tuna/Mercury Danger?
Message-ID: <11447.274288bf@ecs.umass.edu>
Date: 15 Nov 90 12:23:27 GMT
Lines: 21

Help!!!!! I desperately seek information.
I am a competitive athlete who has found that 120grams of protein a day 
is ideal for my body type.  For the last 3 months I have been consuming the 
bulk of this protein in the form of Solid White Tuna mainly because each 
can contains apx 40grams of protein and only 3-4 grams of fat, and most 
importantly it seems to be the most economical.  But a friend of mine 
recently asked me how many cans of tuna do I consume a day - apx 3 I 
answered.  He then told about the heath risks involved - that is tuna has a 
high mercury content, and that anything over 1 can a day can build up toxic 
levels of mercury in my system!

Does anybody have any information as to whether my friend was correct or 
not. 

Also, if anyone has any suggestions for high grade protein that I can 
replace tuna with would be much appreciated.  (I know chicken and turkey 
are prime candidates, but the expense of buying skinless chicken breasts 
everyday scares me a bit)


Stefan Keene