Sushi- To eat or not to eat

mazarasltm
mazarasltm Posts: 205 Member
edited December 4 in Food and Nutrition
1) Im curious if anyone else is worried about the tap worm or nitrate/ mercury toxicity. I hear the wasabi is natural anti-parasitic but what I saw in internet search indicates that the tape worm can go beyong the gi track and go systemic. 2) can you have parasite infestation without eosinophilia or luekocytosis on CBC with differential (Complete Blood Count)? 3) What is the name of the Antibody you have to test for?/ Is there a Preset panel for this kinda work-up 4) I know you can test for mercury poisoning with Blood levels, but what are you testing for nitrates: blood? stool? urine? 5) Is it safe or effective or even indicated to take Abendazole as Emperic Therapy? 6) Where do you get the commercial flash freezing equipment for home use? No, I really dont think Im infected :). Just rather be safe. I hear that a GI practice does tons of Colonscopies for GI Cancer for Chinese populations in View of Nitrate intake in poor quailty fish from the homeland. - Signed Curious in Noo York

Replies

  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    If you're that concerned about getting a tape worm/mercury poisoning, don't eat the sashimi.
  • cerise_noir
    cerise_noir Posts: 5,468 Member
    edited October 2016
    I thought the tapeworm in sushi thing was a hoax that was posted in scaremongering posts all over facebook?

    As for nitrates, I haven't really come across anything regarding this in sushi.. Other than nitrates don't accumulate in the body as it was once thought to, as nitrates get converted to nitrates when it comes into contact with saliva and eventually get excreted entirely in urine within 5 hours of digestion.
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    Well, if you are concerned about eating sushi then don't. Not being snarky. Just seriously, if it concerns you, stay away from it.

    I never think twice about it. If i somehow get parasites, a visit to my doc and a few pills will cure me. Mebendazole. Thanks shallow and shameless pharmaceutical company.

    Nitrates? Bacon? Luncheon meats? Cherry juice? Celery? Beets?

    I wish I ate enough sushi to be concerned about what might be in it. Bet I'd still eat it ev-er-y- day!
  • Sloth2016
    Sloth2016 Posts: 838 Member
    In the United States, Federal Law requires fish intended to be served uncooked to be frozen in order to kill any parasites. So, the concern is likely unfounded. Overseas, it varies by country.
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    Stay away from Fugu! Lol
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Sloth2016 wrote: »
    In the United States, Federal Law requires fish intended to be served uncooked to be frozen in order to kill any parasites. So, the concern is likely unfounded. Overseas, it varies by country.
    FLASH frozen to be exact, and to be "sushi grade" etc.

    I eat sashimi 2-3 times a month. And have for the last 20 years or so.

    Not from carts, not when friends make it, but from 2-4 star restaurants. LOVE IT.

    In the U.S., "wasabi" likely wouldn't help anyway, since it's generally just dyed horse radish paste. True wasabi is hard to come by.
  • Wynterbourne
    Wynterbourne Posts: 2,235 Member
    edited October 2016
    Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
    Sloth2016 wrote: »
    In the United States, Federal Law requires fish intended to be served uncooked to be frozen in order to kill any parasites. So, the concern is likely unfounded. Overseas, it varies by country.
    FLASH frozen to be exact, and to be "sushi grade" etc.

    I eat sashimi 2-3 times a month. And have for the last 20 years or so.

    Not from carts, not when friends make it, but from 2-4 star restaurants. LOVE IT.

    In the U.S., "wasabi" likely wouldn't help anyway, since it's generally just dyed horse radish paste. True wasabi is hard to come by.

    Yeah, you'll definitely know if it's true wasabi. Check out the price.

    zzcrx44xvoxg.jpg
  • mazarasltm
    mazarasltm Posts: 205 Member
    edited October 2016
    Tape worm thing, i learned in two different microbio classes. Last class taught by somebody from DOH (6 yrs ago, not 100%). Sushi is my goto food - 3 to 5 x weekly.
    My HDL is great thanks to it. Im not going stop yet :). Please dont take my sashmi away. But NYC news had some bad news on the Fulton Fish market. Genetic testing. For example, some tilapia tested was not tilapia (but some toxic illegal imported substitute). And NYC (known for going overboard on most areas) just announced a flash freezing requirement (heard it on radio).
    Plus so many people ask me if im sick with cancer since I lost 75 lbs. I have my doubts that it may have been "too easy". Considering I gain weight when I stop the diet, it dont seem likely. Some people are downright hostile, like theres something wrong with me or I had some secret method. My basic labs are fine, but I have localized joint pain and one semi-unexplained really bad abdominal pain episode (~2 month back) so Im covering all my bases (I must stay healthy for my wife & 4 kids). Oncology, GI, Ortho.
    Ill get a script for mercury tested but I dont know if i should do an O&P (or other blood labs). Kinda disgusting.
  • cerise_noir
    cerise_noir Posts: 5,468 Member
    cerise_noir wrote: »
    I thought the tapeworm in sushi thing was a hoax that was posted in scaremongering posts all over facebook?

    As for nitrates, I haven't really come across anything regarding this in sushi.. Other than nitrates don't accumulate in the body as it was once thought to, as nitrates get converted to nitrates when it comes into contact with saliva and eventually get excreted entirely in urine within 5 hours of digestion.
    I meant nitrates get converted to nitrites when in contact with saliva.

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