Micronutrients & recovery
Demographic factors, specifically race/ethnicity and age, significantly influence baseline blood mercury levels independent of self-reported consumption, with 'Other' racial/ethnic groups and older women (30-49) having higher concentrations.
Your risk of mercury accumulation depends on your demographics. Women over 30 and those in the 'Other' racial/ethnic category (including Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander) tend to have higher mercury levels than younger women or Mexican Americans, even with similar reported fish intake. Monitor your seafood choices more closely if you fall into these higher-risk groups.
Blood organic/methyl mercury concentrations were lowest among Mexican Americans and highest among participants who designated themselves in the Other racial/ethnic category... Blood organic/methyl mercury concentrations were ~1.5 times higher among women 30–49 years of age than among women 16–29 years of age.
Why this rating
Large sample size and statistically significant regression coefficients for race and age.
Source
Blood organic mercury and dietary mercury intake: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999 and 2000.
Kathryn R. Mahaffey et al. · Environmental Health Perspectives · 2003
DOI 10.1289/ehp.6587
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