Untung Rugi Konsumsi Seafood

Para peneliti dari Harvard ingin mengetahui keuntungan dan kerugian konsumsi
seafood.

Ternyata konsumsi seafood (terutama ikan yang kaya asam lemak omega-3 berupa
DHA maupun EPA) sebanyak 1-2 porsi tiap minggu dapat menurunkan angka
kematian penyakit jantung koroner sebesar 36%.

DHA mendukung perkembangan awal sel2 saraf, sehingga ibu hamil dan menyusui
dianjurkan untuk konsumsi seafood 2 porsi tiap minggu. Kontaminasi
metil-merkuri sebaliknya menghambat perkembangan sel2 saraf, namun pengaruh
metil-merkuri untuk orang dewasa kurang nyata.

Dianjurkan mengkonsumsi beragam jenis seafood.

Kadar kontaminasi dioxin dan polychlorinated biphenyls terdeteksi rendah,
sehingga potensi karsinogeniknya juga rendah.

Disimpulkan bahwa keuntungan konsumsi beragam seafood lebih besar dibanding
efek negatifnya, termasuk untuk kelompok wanita usia subur.

Catatan untuk seafood dari perairan dengan tingkat kontaminasi lebih tinggi,
kesimpulan di atas mungkin tidak berlaku.

Abstract

JAMA
<http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/296/15/1885?etoc><http://jama
.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/296/15/1885?etoc> 2006;296:1885-1899.
Vol. 296 No. 15, October 18, 2006 © 2006 American Medical Association.
Fish Intake, Contaminants, and Human Health: Evaluating the Risks and the
Benefits.
Dariush Mozaffarian, Eric B. Rimm.

Context Fish (finfish or shellfish) may have health benefits and also
contain contaminants, resulting in confusion over the role of fish
consumption in a healthy diet.
Evidence Acquisition We searched MEDLINE, governmental reports, and
meta-analyses, supplemented by hand reviews of references and direct
investigator contacts, to identify reports published through April 2006
evaluating (1) intake of fish or fish oil and cardiovascular risk, (2)
effects of methylmercury and fish oil on early neurodevelopment, (3) risks
of methylmercury for cardiovascular and neurologic outcomes in adults, and
(4) health risks of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls in fish. We
concentrated on studies evaluating risk in humans, focusing on evidence,
when available, from randomized trials and large prospective studies. When
possible, meta-analyses were performed to characterize benefits and risks
most precisely.
Evidence Synthesis Modest consumption of fish (eg, 1-2 servings/wk),
especially species higher in the n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), reduces risk of coronary death by 36% (95%
confidence interval, 20%-50%; P<.001) and total mortality by 17% (95%
confidence interval, 0%-32%; P = .046) and may favorably affect other
clinical outcomes. Intake of 250 mg/d of EPA and DHA appears sufficient for
primary prevention. DHA appears beneficial for, and low-level methylmercury
may adversely affect, early neurodevelopment. Women of childbearing age and
nursing mothers should consume 2 seafood servings/wk, limiting intake of
selected species. Health effects of low-level methylmercury in adults are
not clearly established; methylmercury may modestly decrease the
cardiovascular benefits of fish intake. A variety of seafood should be
consumed; individuals with very high consumption (5 servings/wk) should
limit intake of species highest in mercury levels. Levels of dioxins and
polychlorinated biphenyls in fish are low, and potential carcinogenic and
other effects are outweighed by potential benefits of fish intake and should
have little impact on choices or consumption of seafood (women of
childbearing age should consult regional advisories for locally caught
freshwater fish).
Conclusions For major health outcomes among adults, based on both the
strength of the evidence and the potential magnitudes of effect, the
benefits of fish intake exceed the potential risks. For women of
childbearing age, benefits of modest fish intake, excepting a few selected
species, also outweigh risks.

Author Affiliations: Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham
and Women's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School; and Departments of
Epidemiology and Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Mass.