| modern day, it seems that nearly everything we eat | | | | fish, clams, crabs, mussels and sea urchins. Lobsters |
| carries the risk of being unhealthy. Eating fish has | | | | do eat dead bait in traps, but humans eat dead fish |
| known health benefits, yet some species of fish may | | | | too! Ask any lobsterman, and they will tell you: the |
| contain unsafe levels of mercury and PCB's. Eating | | | | fresher the bait, the better it will "fish." This is trade |
| fresh fruit is known to be healthy, yet many fruits | | | | language which, when translated, means that if you |
| are sprayed with chemical pesticides the residues of | | | | put fresh bait in your traps it will attract more |
| which are of questionable risk. The same can be said | | | | lobsters. Old bait does not attract many lobsters at |
| of vegetables. | | | | all. |
| Whether the above mentioned food items are | | | | When fish gets old and borderline saleable at a |
| healthy or unhealthy is beyond the scope of this | | | | seafood market, it begins to emit an ammonia smell. |
| article. It does point out, though, that the debate | | | | At that point, which can be about 5 to 7 days after |
| continues on which foods contribute to good health, | | | | being caught, it is no longer appealing to humans. It is |
| and which foods pose a health risk. This article will | | | | the same for lobsters. They prefer live, fresh food, |
| present information for the reader to determine | | | | but will eat dead bait in traps if it is fresh and not old. |
| which camp lobster belongs in: healthy or unhealthy. | | | | This last argument against lobster as a healthy food |
| Let's start with the few arguments that put forth | | | | is the weakest and not based upon fact at all, but |
| the case that lobster is unhealthy. There are not | | | | rather on fallacy: lobsters eat primarily live food, not |
| many. We've read that one doctor advises against | | | | decaying, rotting dead fish. |
| eating lobster because it may contain parasites and | | | | Now we'll look at the factors in favor of lobster |
| viruses. Nothing like pointing out the obvious. Every | | | | being a healthy food. |
| living creature on Earth may contain parasites and | | | | There are several health reasons that lobster should |
| viruses, which is why any animal-based food product | | | | be eaten. The first comes from the American Heart |
| should be cooked before being eaten. Cooking | | | | Associations Page on Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids |
| eliminates this risk. One risk that cooking will not | | | | which recommends eating fish at least 2 times per |
| eliminate is excess levels of mercury. No matter how | | | | week. A quote from the American Heart Association |
| much you cook any fish or seafood item, it will not | | | | is worth sharing here, "Fish is a good source of |
| remove mercury. | | | | protein and doesn't have the high saturated fat that |
| How much mercury does lobster have? Before we | | | | fatty meat products do." |
| answer that question, we need to look a little at | | | | Lobster is indeed an excellent source of lean protein. |
| mercury and the reasons it is in seafood to begin | | | | 100 grams of lobster meat contains 98 calories, 21 |
| with. The FDA states in their report "What you need | | | | grams of protein, and only 0.6 grams of fat. Contrast |
| to know about mercury in fish and shellfish" that | | | | that to 100 grams of white, skinless chicken meat |
| "nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury" | | | | which has 168 calories, 31 grams of protein, and 3.6 |
| and that "Mercury occurs naturally in the environment | | | | grams of fat. Gram for gram, even skinless chicken |
| and can also be released into the air through industrial | | | | contains in excess of 500% more fat than lobster. |
| pollution. Mercury falls from the air and can | | | | Lean beef contains more than 10 times as much fat |
| accumulate in streams and oceans." | | | | as lobster. Obviously, lobster is an excellent source of |
| What can be gleaned from this report are two facts. | | | | lean protein. |
| One, that all fish and shellfish contain traces of | | | | Lobster is more than just a lean source of protein. |
| mercury. Two, Mercury occurs naturally as well. If | | | | Lobster also contains Omega-3 fatty acids, which are |
| mercury occurs naturally, it is probably safe to | | | | associated with good heart health. There are several |
| assume that all fish and shellfish have always | | | | valuable benefits from a diet which regularly contains |
| contained traces of mercury. Which begs the | | | | Omega-3 fatty acids. Again quoting from the |
| question: are mercury levels in fish and shellfish any | | | | American Heart Association, "The ways that |
| higher now than they were 50 or 100 years ago? | | | | omega-3 fatty acids reduce CVD (cardio-vascular |
| The answer is that scientists do no know for sure, | | | | disease) risk are still being studied. However, research |
| as tests for mercury in fish were not done back | | | | has shown that they decrease risk of arrhythmias, |
| then. Regardless, the FDA lists four fish varieties that | | | | which can lead to sudden cardiac death, decrease |
| have higher level of mercury than all others: shark, | | | | triglyceride levels, decrease growth rate of |
| swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. They also list | | | | atherosclerotic plaque, and lower blood pressure |
| five that are very low in mercury: shrimp, canned | | | | (slightly)." The report further states, "Large-scale |
| light tuna, salmon, pollock and catfish. Lobster is | | | | epidemiologic studies suggest that people at risk for |
| closer to the 5 on the low end than the 4 on the | | | | coronary heart disease benefit from consuming |
| high end. | | | | omega-3 fatty acids from plants and marine sources." |
| Even the 4 fish varieties that have higher levels of | | | | Lobster does not contain as much Omega-3 fatty |
| mercury are safe to eat in moderation for all people | | | | acids as salmon, which has the highest content, but is |
| other than pregnant mothers, and mothers nursing | | | | a good source nonetheless. |
| infant children. It is only these 4 varieties that should | | | | In summary, lobster is high in protein, extremely low |
| be avoided in the two circumstances just mentioned. | | | | in fat, is a beneficial source of Omega-3 fatty acids |
| Lobster is not included in the list of fish to avoid | | | | which are healthy for the heart and reduce the |
| when pregnant. | | | | growth rate of plaque. Lobsters feed primarily on live |
| The final argument against lobster that we have | | | | food: fish, crabs, clams and mussels. Lobster have a |
| heard is not based on science at all. The argument is | | | | very healthy diet which would be beneficial to |
| that lobsters are bottom feeders and eat decaying | | | | humans, not harmful to them. |
| and rotting fish that sink to the bottom. The logic of | | | | There you have the arguments for and against |
| the argument is that since lobsters are eating these | | | | lobster as a healthy food source. The evidence |
| things that aren't healthy for people, people shouldn't | | | | suggests lobster is a very healthy food choice. Not |
| be eating lobsters. The problem with this argument is | | | | only is it very healthy, it tastes absolutely |
| that it is not based on facts. The fact is that lobsters | | | | extravagant. Enjoy your lobster! |
| eat mainly live food. Their primary diet consists of live | | | | |