Shark fins and meat contain high levels of neurotoxins linked to Alzheimer's disease
Ever since I was young I always had a fascination with the ocean and ocean life. Of all of the animals in the sea I always loved watching documentaries of sharks. I would often find myself waiting anxiously for shark week on discovery channel to come ever summer. While looking at scientific articles, one article in particular caught my attention. An article that claimed that in the fins, meat, and cartilage of sharks exists neurotoxins that can cause consumers to be diagnosed with diseases such as Alzheimer's.
This study was performed at the University of Miami in which they found neurotoxins linked to neurodegenerative diseases in 10 different species of sharks. Fins and muscle tissues were collected from the different species of shark found both in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. What they found were two specific toxins that are linked with neurodegenerative diseases. They found high concentrations of mercury and BMAA. Deborah Mash a professor of neurology said, "Recent studies have linked BMAA to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)".
Researchers at the University of Miami detected high enough concentrations of mercury and BMAA in the fins and tissues of shark that would make the consumption of such products a health hazard. Shark products are becoming more and more desirable around the globe. The fins and meat are mostly consumed in Asian countries, but the supplements that contain shark cartilage are consumed all over the world. With this knowledge, we now know that we can avoid having neurological diseases as we avoid consuming the products that contain shark. This knowledge is important both for personal health and safety as well as the conservation aspect for sharks. 16 percent of the worlds population of sharks are now facing extinction, which means we can greatly conserve the population of sharks if we don't consume products made of them.
For more information:<a href="http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2016/08/29/study_finds_shark_fins_meat_contain_high_levels_of_neurotoxins_linked_to_alzheimers_disease.html">Study finds shark fins & meat contain high levels of neurotoxins linked to Alzheimer\'s disease</a>
Hi Jacob,
ReplyDeleteSharks are fascinating. Sometimes I watch shark week on the Discovery Channel. The behavior that sharks exhibit seems to make them unique. For example, how they swim in the currents so they are able to sleep or how they attack from deep under the water and that is one reason why humans on surf boards are mistaken for prey.
The article you found linking neurotoxins from shark fins and meat to Alzheimer's disease is interesting. I understand that neurodegenerative diseases can be caused by BMAA and there are high levels of BMAA in sharks but have they actually linked any people or populations to getting Alzheimer's because of the consumption of shark products? In your overview you state that consumption of such product would be a health hazard. Is there enough information to prevent people from using shark products? Would other laws or regulations need to be put into place to help prevent consumers from using shark products? For example, lead based paint is not used in the U.S. because of health reasons, however, that doesn't stop countries like China from using lead based paint. If I remember correctly there was a recall of a few toys that were imported from China to the U.S. In this situation the only thing the U.S. can do is protect our own citizens by not importing the products. Since Fins and meat of sharks are mainly consumed in Asian countries what would be a course of action the U.S. could take utilizing the information the University of Miami has compiled from the studies?
Thanks,
RW
Since they were able to trace back some of the neurotoxins that cause this disease, what steps are they taking, besides avoiding the consumption of shark products, to stop the trigger of Alzheimers? Is it possible that we may continue to consume shark products, but somehow along side take a neutralizer?
ReplyDeleteTL
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ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this article because it could stop people from eating shark fin soup which is causing sharks to be overfished at dramatically high rates, which will then lead to their extinction. Because people are selfish maybe if they leaned that eating shark fin will give them Alzheimers they'll stop. You should really consider sharing your post with an anti- shark fin eating campaign group. Do you think that the information and data they have now linking shark fin to Alzheimers is enough info to cause people to stop eating shark fin? Or do you think more studies are needed?
ReplyDeleteJH
I know the article just says that sharks are mainly consumed in Asia but and that they are linked to certain diseases, do you think that Asian countries have a higher rate of Alzheimers due to the fact that they consume more shark products then other countries?
ReplyDeleteRuth Guerra
It is so interesting to see how many things that people eat are so dangerous and harmful for our bodies. It makes me wonder how many other food items are slowly killing us that scientists have not found out yet. I completely agree that we should stop eating sharks not only for the toxins, but to save the limited amount of animals available anyway.
ReplyDeleteM.E.
i find this particularly interesting since so much of the global diet consists of fish and organisms of the sea. first it make me wonder what else may have similar effects. my grandparents are from Taiwan and chinese culture loves shark fin soup . it seems to me that not very many Chinese people come down with Alzheimer's. but what ever may be the cause of this it should be evaluated to improve the lives of others.
ReplyDeleteMC
Interesting article that discourages consumption of shark meat because it can cause neurological disorders such as Alzheimers. Lets hope this study discourages people from consuming shark products and the species won't be endangered anymore. SRH
ReplyDelete