Scientific Publications by FDA Staff

Arch Environ Occup Health 2018 Jul 4;73(4):251-7

Mercury, omega-3 fatty acids, and seafood intake are not associated with heart rate variability or QT interval.

Miller C, Karimi R, Silbernagel S, Kostrubiak D, Schiavone F, Zhang Q, Yang J, Rashba E, Meliker JR

Mercury (Hg), eicosapentanoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentrations differ across seafood types. Our aim was to investigate the association of Hg, EPA and DHA, as well as avid consumption of diverse seafood types on cardiovascular variables heart rate variability (HRV) and QT interval duration (QTc) in a contemporary population. We measured HRV and QTc by Holter monitor, EPA and DHA in plasma, total Hg in whole blood, and possible confounders in ninety-four avid seafood consumers from Long Island, NY. Participants had mean Hg of 8.4 mcg/L, mean EPA of 1.2%, and mean DHA of 3.7% of total fatty acids. Adjusted for possible confounders, neither EPA+DHA, Hg, nor total seafood consumption were associated with HRV or QTc. Associations with consumption of specific seafood types were suggested (e.g., tuna steak with QTc and anchovies with HRV) but require verification.