The US Environmental Protection Agency has offered several guidelines to people so that they do not intake high levels of mercury as it can be detrimental to health.
While fish and shellfish contain high amounts of proteins, are low in saturated fats, and contain Omega-3 fatty acids, they also contain traces of mercury. While the risks of eating fish or shellfish with high amounts of mercury depend on person to person, pregnant women are particularly told to avoid fish of these kids as it can have a negative effect on the unborn child. Although mercury can gradually be removed from the body, it is a slow process and may take up to a year. Therefore, the US EPA has suggested a list of fish types which should be avoided.