Higher mercury levels found in salmon-eating dogs

A new study by an environmental group shows that sled dogs on the Yukon River have higher levels of mercury than other sled dogs eating a commercial diet.

The mercury is thought to counteract some of the antioxidant benefits of the omega-3 fatty acids in the salmon diet.

The study looked at sled dogs all along the Yukon River as far down as Russian Mission.

It found that the higher the mercury levels in the dogs, the less antioxidants were found in the dogs. Meanwhile, the dogs fed a balanced commercial diet had what the study called a much higher total antioxidant power.

One of the study’s authors, Lawrence Duffy, said other studies have shown omega-3 fatty acids-found in abundance in salmon-have protective properties against toxins, but mercury can prevent those benefits.

Click here to read the full story from the Anchorage Daily News >

Subscribe

Want seafood news sent to your inbox?

You may unsubscribe from our mailing list at any time. Diversified Communications | 121 Free Street, Portland, ME 04101 | +1 207-842-5500
None