Mothers: pay attention! ADHD may be caused by maternal consumption of fish contaminated with mercury during pregnancy. — Click to Tweet.
Worldwide, between 8 and 12 percent of children are affected with ADD or ADHD, making this disorder one of the most common childhood developmental problems. We’re still looking for a cause, however, and rigorously conducted research is constantly providing greater and greater insight into the issue.
One study of children in New Bedford, Massachusetts suggests a paradoxical conclusion: women who eat fish more than twice weekly during pregnancy are reducing their child’s risk of behaviors associated with ADHD, while women who have elevated levels of mercury in their system are increasing it.
Environmental Toxins
What studies like this show is that ADHD and ADD might be preventable epidemics. Perhaps our children don’t have to struggle to pay attention in class, complete their homework, or socialize effectively with their friends and family.
Despite the increasing levels of environmental toxins in our oceans, soils, and atmosphere, there is some reason to take heart. Recent legislation has put a damper on the mercury contamination of our fish, at least from domestic sources. And with studies like these, legislators can no longer ignore the danger of even low levels of environmental contaminants. Until recently, it was difficult to draw attention to lower levels because studies had only confirmed negative effects with higher doses of toxins.
Other links between ADD and ADHD and the environment will certainly receive more exploration than ever before in the coming months and years, and perhaps we’ll further uncover the possible reasons for the large number of ADD and ADHD cases.
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