I am by nature an easy-going person. I do not panic at every alarmist report I read. I do not forward frightening e-mail to all my friends. However I am somewhat concerned about conflicting reports about fish. It is especially a problem for my As, because many fish are beneficial for them and few other meats are.

I read articles that say eat more omega-3 rich fish. Right now I'm looking at a list that says salmon, mackerel, and trout are among the best choices. They are also good for As and Os. That should be good news, but…

There is a big controversy about farm raised fish having high levels of PCBs dioxins and other pollutants. Most of the salmon at grocery stores are not only farm raised, but also have orange dye added to them. Trout and tilapia are also commonly farm raised.

Cod isn't on the Omega-3 rich lists, but is listed as beneficial for As and Os. However, I've never seen fresh cod locally, and there is another controversy about polyamines and frozen fish.

Today I read an article in Reader's Digest (August 2003) about mercury in fish. A California doctor, puzzled by health conscious patients with hair loss, memory loss, and other neurological symptoms, traced their problems to mercury contamination from eating lots of fish. Some of the most beneficial fist for As and Os (like mackerel) are on the most dangerous list for mercury contamination. This article recommends farm raised fish because the mercury levels are known and safe.

In other words I need to eat salmon for the omega-3s, but I shouldn't eat farm raised because of dioxins, and I shouldn't eat wild because of mercury. My head is spinning.

I've got to readjust my thinking about fish. I want to be prudent, but not fearful. ( Did you know the Bible says "fear not" 63 times?)

My husband will be happy because sardines are high in omega-3s and not on any of the danger lists. Tuna, which my daughter likes, is also high in omega-3s. Canned tuna is safer than fresh tuna. Cans of cheap light tuna are safer than cans of expensive white & albacore tuna.