Be Careful with what you eat from the sea

Our modern-day habits are polluting the waters

Some time ago I wrote a post on the dangers of eating salmon from Puget Sound in Seattle. Scientists had found alarming amounts of unhealthy substances in fish meat. Substances like heroin, nicotine, Valium, and fungicides.

The reason for this is not really clear. Perhaps the wastewater treatment systems are not thorough enough, or perhaps there are leaks from septic tanks.

The fact is that these unhealthy substances do not only harm people when eating this fish; it is also harmful to the fish population as such. The far-reaching consequences are not understood. Time will tell if using all the unnatural things which end up in the water will cause grave damage to our future generations.

Mussels growing on the rocks image Silvia Tormo

Alarming news on the mussel

Just recently I heard that another water dweller, the mussel, also seems to be in trouble. The mussels are so good tasting; I love to order a dish of mussels on the coast of southern Spain. Here is a link to a great recipe you should try.

The problem with a mussel is that it is a filter feeder. This means their food is plankton and other tiny microscopic little sea creatures which float in the water. If the water is polluted it passes through their bodies and of course contaminates it.

They live together in sizeable groups stuck to the rocks, which are washed by the water. They do not have a tranquil life as they have a lot of enemies, starting with humans who come to collect them. Starfish and seabirds also like to eat them.

A delicious dish of mussels image Paul NI

Aquaculture

In the 1970s, the aquaculture of mussels started in North America. In Washington State, in the year 2010, an estimated 2.9M pounds were harvested. Mussels are used to test if the aquatic environments are good or not.

Now comes this upsetting news that also mussels are showing signs of being attacked by man-made pollution. Again in the Seattle area, besides the salmon, it are now the mussels that have tested positive for medications including opioid prescription drugs.

The US is the country where most opioids are prescribed. They prescribe opioids 50% more than in Germany. The scientists had already found drugs, also illegal ones in mussels, but this is the first time they found opioids.

A very serious book

This is a copulation of studies on the toxicity of aluminum and acid waters on water life.

In 1992, the 17th Session of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission took place. There were already concerns for the well-being of water biota. It only got worse over the years as the environment got more polluted, putting in jeopardy fauna, flora, and humans.

Be informed about what you eat

Just imagine you order a dish of mussels and what you are actually eating is a dish full of anti-depressants, chemotherapy drugs, heart medication, and the list goes on. I wonder why we are doing this to ourselves. All these medications the modern human seems to need end up in the food we eat, and that again makes us take more medication because the food makes us sick.

This is absolutely crazy, don’t you think? Even if these medications were found in only a few of the test sites, it makes one think. They also found melphalan, which is a chemotherapy drug and a potential carcinogen in mussels. One can only wonder where this is leading us all.

Have a look at the following video on mussels cultivation.

Conclusion

In modern times they flood us with so-called health medicine. How can it be that when there is more health care the population is getting sicker? I personally think it is because we have turned away from nature. Man-made foods are standing on the shelves of the supermarkets. When you look at the labels, you cannot pronounce the words and neither does one know what they mean.

We are feeding ourselves with foods that do not have the required nutrients and wonder why we suffer so many ailments. There seems to be a pill for everything these days, but these pills have side effects which again harm us.

Mother Nature provides for all our needs and produces all the fruits and vegetables needed to be healthy. We should stop trying to improve it. It has not been a success up till now, and I think it will never be.

Recently I came across this disturbing and sad video. The future of the world looks awful, and it is our fault. I hope you will take the time to watch it.

I have made a special page for you with things that might be of your interest. Before you leave, have a look at Recommendations. I hope you will find something.

Source: Wikipedia and Vanessa Romo for NPR

Photo Source: Pixabay

This was the first post I wrote on this subject. Perhaps you find it interesting to read my post on salmon.

2 Important Health Updates on the Risks of Eating Salmon