The dangers of mercury: How to avoid it and protect your brain from it

EP 120 - The dangers of mercury: How to avoid it and protect your brain from it

As a chef, my kitchen is my sanctuary, and my dishes are my messages to the world. Imagine my shock when I delved into the shadowy facts about mercury, a pervasive threat that can subtly invade our bodies with each bite of seemingly wholesome food. This revelation was a wake-up call, prompting me to pivot towards advocating for cleaner eating and living.

Mercury is a naturally occurring element that exists in various forms, including elemental mercury, inorganic mercury compounds, and organic mercury compounds like methylmercury. While mercury has industrial applications and is used in products like thermometers and fluorescent lights, its presence in the environment poses significant health risks to humans and wildlife alike.

Mercury sneaks into our lives in ways we might not expect, from the fillings in our teeth to the fish on our plates. High-mercury fish like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish have become subjects of my scrutiny. Why? Because mercury is a neurotoxin that poses significant risks to our neurological health, affecting everything from cognitive function to mental well-being.

Here are a few tips on being vigilant about mercury exposure:

1. Promoting Informed Seafood Choices

Become more judicious about seafood. Shift towards lower-mercury options such as salmon, shrimp, sardines, and anchovies. It's about making smart choices, knowing where our fish comes from, and understanding its impact on our health.

2. Advocating for Regular Health Checks

While I'm no healthcare professional, I understand the value of awareness and prevention. I encourage my friends, family, and followers to consult with their healthcare providers about mercury exposure, especially for those who have a penchant for seafood or have amalgam fillings. It’s about being proactive in our health journey.

3. Championing Detoxification Through Diet

Detoxification isn't just a buzzword; it's a principle that I recommend to integrate in our lives. Incorporating foods that naturally support the body's detox pathways, like leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, and foods rich in antioxidants, has become a cornerstone of my cooking philosophy. It's about using nature’s bounty to combat the toxins we're exposed to.

4. Living and Advocating for a Cleaner Lifestyle

Beyond the plate, I've embraced a lifestyle that minimizes exposure to environmental toxins and I hope that inspires you to do the same!

And so I invite you to rethink the way you eat and be curious about the sources of your food so that you can make choices that foster your health and the health of your family.  We dive deep into this subject in episode 120 of The Real Dish.

As we continue to uncover and understand the risks associated with mercury and other toxins, let's commit to being vigilant, informed, and proactive in our choices. Let's cook, eat, and live in ways that nourish our bodies, respect our planet, and celebrate the joy of clean, wholesome food.

Today, we're going to explore why mercury is harmful to your health and what you can do to minimize your exposure. Click here to listen to the full episode of The Real Dish, episode 120: If you found it helpful, would you leave a 5-star review and share it with your friends and family?

Grab a seat at the chef's table and let's dig in. Love ya! xMareya