Differences between Fermented Cod Liver Oil, Regular Cod Liver Oil, and Regular Fish Oil

We have learned how beneficial fermented cod liver oil (FCLO) is for our health, what to look for in FCLO (and the best brand of FCLO), now let's take a look at the differences between FCLO, regular CLO, and regular fish oil.

Why Fermented Cod Liver Oil, Not Regular Fish Oil or Other Supplements?

The health benefits of taking fish oil are widely known, with omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA as the selling point of fish oils. While it's true that fish oil can be a good supplement, not all fish oils are created equal. Many brands of fish oils and vitamin supplements we see today are synthetic and/or highly processed. Synthetic vitamins are unnatural and not as well-absorbed by the body. I was looking at the fish oil I used to consume the other day and I was surprised to find soy as one of the ingredients (it was from a reputable brand too!). Not only soy contains anti-nutrients, it is also one of the most genetically modified food (Always check food labels!). This is a good read why regular fish oil is not recommended. As Dave Wetzel said it in his interview with Kitchen Stewardship: "Why take the fish oil? Fermented cod liver oil is fish oil, just from the liver, not the skin." (The interview also discusses about fermentation, nutrition, dosage, etc. It's a good overview of FCLO coming from someone who knows it best.)

"Cod liver oil is very good for you, more than you ever knew. Research studies ranging from 1918-2001 give cod liver oil an A+ rating. This marvelous golden oil contains large amounts of elongated omega-3 fatty acids, preformed vitamin A and the sunlight vitamin D, essential nutrients that are hard to obtain in sufficient amounts in the modern diet. Samples may also naturally contain small amounts of the important bone- and blood-maintainer vitamin K." (source)

Properly fermented cod liver oil is extracted naturally without heat or unnatural processes such as deodorization, bleaching, and winterization. ANd in its original form FCLO is not considered a supplement, it's food (oil from the liver) in its most whole and natural form. But as with any industrialized supplements, many brands of cod liver oil are also highly processed with synthetic vitamins added back simply because all the natural nutrients are destroyed during processing. It takes six to twelve months to ferment cod liver oil, while industrialized method of extracting cod liver oil takes only one day, that is why we don't see manufacturers make CLO through fermentation anymore, simply because they take too long to produce (which means less business for them).

Cod liver oil, especially fermented cod liver oil contains all naturally-occurring vitamins and minerals, not just omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. It is also rich in natural vitamin A, D, and the important bone- and blood-maintainer vitamin K that are vital for optimal body functions and boosting our immune system. Fermenting cod liver oil not only retains all its nutrients, but enhances it. It's so nutritious and full of a variety of vitamins that you generally do not need to take extra supplements (other fish oils, omega-3, DHA, EPA, vitamin A, and D supplements). 

If you are already consuming regular fish oil or cod liver oil, chances are you already know the health benefits of consuming fish oil. It's a matter of finding the right kind of fish oil so that our body gets the maximum benefits (and value for money). Our modern diet is already so lacking in nutrients from eating meat from barn/farm-raised animals, rancid vegetable oils, refined grains and sugar, and highly processed foods ladened with soy, MSG, high fructose corn syrup, it's the more important that we "supplement" our bodies with FCLO.

Fermented Cod Liver Oil

What is the Difference between Fermented Cod Liver Oil and Regular Cod Liver Oil?

(Some quotes are taken from Green Pasture's blog)

"Fish oils have historically been fermented for extraction; back in the Roman empire days, Viking era and all the way up to the Mid 1850′s. Rendering (processing with heat) was introduced during the mid 1850′s as a more efficient fish liver processing method. The livers yielded a much higher total oil volume and the process could be accomplished in several hours rather than several months. What they did not understand is the effects that heat had on the nutrients (their science was not ready to address this question). As with all industrial models, the focus was on: profitability, speed or turns and, marketability (taste). It takes 6 months to 1 year to make fermented cod liver oil. This is why it is no longer made."

Why fermented CLO is better than regular CLO: 

1. Retention of All Natural Nutrients. Fermented fish liver oils are extracted without heat but rather a natural lacto-fermentation. Organ tissues are selected exclusively as the source of the fermented fish oils (compared to industrial model fish oils) as this is where the nutrients are located. There is much more to fish oil nutrients than EPA and DHA. It is only because of the heavy industrialization of this industry that this field of products has nothing else to discuss but Omega 3, EPA and DHA. These nutrients will occur naturally in all fish oils including the FCLO. I think the real story is in the thousands of micro nutrients that are provided in a fermented fish oil. 

2. Rich in Pigments. Fermented liver oils are a deep rich pigment. Pigments are nutrients. 

3. High in Quinones. The oils have a 8-9mg/g total quinone count. Butter oil is in the 23-25 mg/g range. These figures are very high! The complex of the quinones is completely different between the fish liver oils and the butter oil. Even the quinone complex between the different fish oils is unique (variety is complete nutrition). Quinones consist of nutrients such as vitamin K’s, vitamin E’s, CoQ enzymes and other known and unknown nutrients/components. 

4. Better Assimilation of Vitamin A. Lacto-fermentation transforms natural vitamin A into different metabolites that are easily absorbed into our bodies (just as in your gut if your gut is working properly). I have found reference to at least 15 different natural forms of Vitamin A that nature provides. Not just the 2-3 that are commonly discussed. 

5. Rich in Natural Vitamin D. There are over 3000 derivatives of vitamin D. Many are natural and others are produced in laboratories. Not much of the vitamin D topic is understood or discussed in mainstream science. Current discussions are just scratching the surface of the topic. Reminder, vitamin D is more accurately categorized as a hormone, not a vitamin. 

6. More Economical (Value of Money). Substantially more nutrients (including A/D) per ml or teaspoon compared to other brands.

Next, we will discuss about cost, taste, and other considerations of getting FCLO.

This post first appeared on Pasture Living.

Disclaimer: I'm not affiliated with Green Pasture nor am I paid to write a review about their products. I'm just a very satisfied consumer and believe in the effectiveness of Green Pasture FCLO. All opinions are completely my own. 

What To Look For in Cod Liver Oil and What is the Best Brand?

We have learned how beneficial fermented cod liver oil (FCLO) is for our health, now let's discuss what to look for in FCLO and what is the best brand out there.

What To Look For in Cod Liver Oil? What is the Best Brand?

"When I began to import cod liver oil, in order to sell it along with the high-vitamin butter oil I was manufacturing, I felt it imperative to go to Iceland and Norway to visit the various cod liver oil factories there. At that time, most cod liver oil in America was imported from Scandinavia, with a small amount coming from China. To summarize my findings, all the factories were engaged in industrial processing of cod liver oil, which involved alkali refining, bleaching, winterization and deodorization. Each of these steps, especially the deodorization, removes some of the precious fat-soluble vitamins, especially vitamin D" - David Wetzel, founder of Green Pasture, the only company that makes FCLO the traditional way)

The Traditional Cod Liver Oil, the Way It Was Always Done

1. Fermentation Method. Traditionally, cod liver oil has always been processed via fermentation and without heat. Fishermen put the livers into a barrel with a bit of sea water and let it ferment. Most cod liver oil we see today is highly processed (with heat) which causes oxidative damage. Omega-3 fatty acids are highly vulnerable to oxidative damage when heated (a process called rendering), which turns them rancid. Rancid oils form free radicals that leads to premature aging and many diseases, including cancer. Fermenting CLO makes the oils very stable and resistant to oxidative damage. Fortunately, there is still one company that still follows the traditional ways of fermenting cod liver oil. It is listed as the "best" FCLO by Weston A. Price Foundation and the health community. The company is Green Pasture. Fermenting CLO takes between six to twelve months, that's why no one wants to do it this way anymore. Industrialized processing of extracting CLO takes only a day but removes the natural and highly beneficial nutrients in them. Fermenting cod liver oil not only retains all its natural nutrients, but enhances it. 

Stages of fermentation of cod liver oil (Image source)

2. No-Added Vitamins Added. Most brands of cod liver oil is stripped of all the natural vitamins through industrial processing and the result is very low levels of vitamin A and virtually no vitamin D, thus synthetic vitamins A and D need to be added to make up for the loss.

3. Balanced ratio of vitamin A and D. This article explains in detail why it is not recommended to take cod liver oil that are low in vitamin D. Essentially, vitamin A and D protect each other against the toxicity of the other. Green Pasture FCLO has been tested to have a balanced (and ideal) ratio of vitamin A and D of 5:1, which is important for optimal health benefits. Most cod liver oils have excessive vitamin A (preformed retinol) and very little vitamin D. Imbalanced ratio of vitamin A to D is unhealthy, much like the imbalance ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids which can lead to health problems (That's why it's important to eat the right kinds of fats!).

"Nearly all brands of cod liver oil provide a token amount of vitamin D, typically a mere 400 to 1,200 IU of vitamin D per tablespoon but anywhere between 4,000 to 30,000 IU of vitamin A. This is clearly inappropriate. About the lowest ratio I have seen is ten times as much vitamin A as vitamin D but, as I stated above, it can be as high as 12,000 times as much vitamin A." (source)

Check the labels! This is an example of very
low vitamin D to A ratio in cod liver oil.

Here is a summary of Green Pasture's Purity Statement. This is why their FCLO is the best of all.

- Whole Food Form 
- Wild, as Provided by Nature 
- Real, Unsurpassed Nutrition 
- Unadulterated 
- Natural fatty acid complex, nothing removed or changed 
- Full, deep range of Vitamins A, D, E, K; CoQ enzymes; and other quinones 
- Deep, Rich, Historical Processing Methods 
- Non-industrialized Production 
- Clean, Pure, and Third Party Tested 

They also guarantee that:

- All their fish are exclusively wild caught in and around the Arctic region. A substantial amount of today's cod liver oil is produced from farmed fish.
- All their fermented fish oils are pure using traditional methods of production 
- There will be no compromise on nutrient quality and integrity by any industrial means that will damage or remove flavors, odors, colors, textures and/or nutrients.

So all of the above is what you want to look for in cod liver oil. There are other ones considered "good" by WAPF, but if you can get the best one, why not? :) If Green Pasture FCLO is not available in your area, you can check WAPF website for brand recommendations. I will not recommend any CLO that is not listed there.

Green Pasture is a company I will recommend again and again for their integrity and values. You can take a peek into what their farm and facility look like here and here.

Next we will discuss the differences between FCLO, regular CLO, and regular fish oil.

This post first appeared on Pasture Living.

Disclaimer: I'm not affiliated with Green Pasture nor am I paid to write a review about their products. I'm just a very satisfied consumer and believe in the effectiveness of Green Pasture FCLO. All opinions are completely my own. 

Why Should I Take Cod Liver Oil if I'm Already Healthy?

Why Should I Take Cod Liver Oil if I'm Already Healthy?

We've learned the health effects of consuming fermented cod liver oil (FCLO) in adults, especially pregnant/nursing mothers and children. Now let's discuss why we need to consume FCLO, especially those of us who are healthy. "Healthy" is relative. In the old days, people worked the ground, reared their own animals and catch their own fish, consumed raw milk, meat from pasture-raised animals, eggs from pastured chicken, wild-caught fish, and they consumed plenty of healthy fats including livers and fish eggs. They also did not eat all the processed food that many of us eat today. Nowadays, many of us work indoors with jobs that require us to sit all day and the modern version of "healthy" is eating raw salad with a lot of processed salad dressings that may contain rancid oils, a diet of low-fat or even fat-free, and high in soy, all of which are detrimental to our health. And for the majority of us, we:

 - Eat too much processed food. We eat out on most days, we buy frozen food and convenience food. We eat chips, sodas, juice, food ladened with  MSG, high fructose corn syrup, refined sugar, salt, and grains, and we all choose low-fat food (not realizing that those savory snacks you munch on throughout the day on top of your frozen lunch and dinners are full of not just fats, but the wrong kinds of fats), creating havoc in our body and an imbalance of our body's pH level.

- Consume very little to no wild-caught fish, especially all of us in Singapore where wild fish is either rare or very expensive. Seafood is well known for its abundance in omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. Farmed fish does not have the beneficial fatty acids content of wild fish and may contain contaminants and toxins, even artificial dyes (e.g. to make salmon more pink).

- Have an inactive lLifestyle (thus lack of vitamin D). Vitamin D is one of the most important building blocks for healthy life. Many of us who work or stay indoors most of the day and those living in countries where sun is not out all year round lack the natural vitamin D that is most potent when the sun is at its peak. Also, it is hard to get natural vitamin D from our modern diet that is full of processed food and not enough wild seafood where vitamin D is abundant.

"Primitive peoples instinctively chose vitamin-D-rich foods including the intestines, organ meats, skin and fat from certain land animals, as well as shellfish, oily fish and insects. Many of these foods are unacceptable to the modern palate." (source).

"The assimilation and utilization of vitamin D is influenced by the kinds of fats we consume. Increasing levels of both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in the diet decrease the binding of vitamin D to D-binding proteins. Saturated fats, the kind found in butter, tallow and coconut oil  do not have this effect. Nor do the omega-3 fats. D-binding proteins are key to local and peripheral actions of vitamin D. This is an important consideration as Americans have dramatically increased their intake of polyunsaturated oils (from commercial vegetable oils) and monounsaturated oils (from olive oil and canola oil) and decreased their intake of saturated fats over the past 100 years. In traditional diets, saturated fats supplied varying amounts of vitamin D. Thus, both reduction of saturated fats and increase of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats contribute to the current widespread D deficiency. Trans fatty acids, found in margarine and shortenings used in most commercial baked goods, should always be avoided. There is evidence that these fats can interfere with the enzyme systems the body uses to convert vitamin D in the liver." (source)

 - Lack natural vitamin A. Animal fats are sources of true vitamin A. Vitamin A from plants (fruits and vegetables) are not enough and we over-consumed meat that are barn/farmed raised, which lacks the naturally-occurring vitamin A. (source)

"Vitamin A levels are far too low in the modern American diet compared to primitive diets. Primitive peoples consumed very high levels of vitamin A from organ meats, insects, fish eggs, fish heads, liver and fish liver oils, as well as from butterfat and egg yolks from grassfed animals. Most of our animals are raised in confinement today and many of the vitamin A-rich foods are unacceptable to modern palates." (source)

These reasons alone explain how cod liver oil is essential to those of us who are taking our first baby steps towards healthy living, even for the healthiest people in our culture. You will see how your body and skin will start to improve and notice an increase in energy.

Read here if you are worried about consuming too much vitamins A and D and risks of toxicity.

Next we will discuss what to look for in FCLO and what is the best brand of FCLO around. 

This post first appeared on Pasture Living.

What's So Good About Cod Liver Oil?

Image by Andre Raharja

What's So Good About Cod Liver Oil?

We learned here how fermented cod liver oil (FCLO) is rich in DHA, EPA, vitamin A, and D. These four are the main nutrients that are widely known in FCLO. But there are in fact much more nutrients in FCLO than just those four, including the important bone- and blood-maintainer vitamin K. 

Cod Liver Oil and Health

Cod liver oil is one of the most valuable medicinal agents known to man. It has been proven to improve people's health and heal many sicknesses, including strengthening the bones, teeth, reducing inflammation, thyroid problems, fertility issues, and cancer prevention.

"For centuries, cod liver oil has served as a valuable source of vitamins A and D and omega-3 fatty acids. It was a critical component of Weston Price’s program for reversing tooth decay and many practitioners in his day used it to treat eye diseases, rickets, and infections. Along with many other physicians, Dr. Price recommended cod liver oil to promote growth and general health in infants and children. Clinical trials proved that cod liver oil use in adults reduced absenteeism and saved millions of dollars worth of productivity for American industry." (source)

There are many testimonies that proved how FCLO has tremendously helped people's health. In my own experience, I have seen health improvements just six months after I first consumed cod liver oil (along with coconut oil and other healthy food). Two of the most obvious ones are:

- Improved eyesight, down from -4.00 to -3.75 on both eyes.

- No more eczema. I used to get eczema on my right palm regularly. It was very itchy, I would scratch it until it bled and used an anti-itch cream to help with the itch. A few months into drinking FCLO, the eczema is gone and I'm so happy.

Cod Liver Oil and Pregnant/Nursing Mothers and Children (Source)

"Cod liver oil supplements are a must for women and their male partners, to be taken for several months before conception, and for women during pregnancy. Growing children will also benefit greatly from a small daily dose." (source)

"There is hardly a disease in the books that does not respond well to treatment that includes cod liver oil, and not just infectious diseases but also chronic modern diseases like heart disease and cancer. Cod liver oil provides vitamin D that helps build strong bones in children and helps prevent osteoporosis in adults. The fatty acids in cod liver oil are also very important for the development of the brain and nervous system. "If you want to prevent learning disabilities in your children," said David Horrobin, distinguished medical and biochemical researcher, "feed them cod liver oil." (source)

Breast Milk: Women using cod liver oil had a significantly higher levels of DHA and EPA in their breast milk to promote optimal brain development and also increases levels of fat-soluble vitamin A to prevent infections and Vitamin E. 

Fetal Development: True vitamin A that occurs only in animal fats such as FCLO plays a vital role in developing fetal central nervous system, heart, lungs, respiratory systems, skull, skeleton, and limbs. (source)

Higher Birth Weight: Women who used liquid cod liver oil in early pregnancy gave birth to heavier babies, even after adjusting for the length of gestation and other confounding factors. Higher birth weight has been associated with a lower risk of diseases later in life and maternal cod liver oil intake might be one of the means for achieving higher birth weight.

Intelligence in Children: Children who were born to mothers who had taken cod liver oil during pregnancy and lactation scored higher on intelligence tests at age four compared with children whose mothers had taken corn oil.

Diaper Rash: Cod liver oil mixed with zinc oxide is better for the skin than any of the prescription medications, and safer.

Teeth Formation and Cavities: Vitamin D must be present from conception in order for proper tooth formation to occur. If vitamin D is absent during the early gestational period, the enamel cannot form properly, and it cannot be repaired by giving vitamin D later. Tooth structure and later decay are directly related. Good teeth formation and prevention of cavities start in the womb. 

"Low levels of D, and perhaps calcium, in a pregnant mother and later in the child may be the contributing cause of "crooked teeth" and myopia. When these conditions are found in succeeding generations it means the genetics require higher levels of one or both nutrients to optimize health." (source)

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Children: Children supplemented with cod liver oil had a decrease in upper respiratory tract infections and pediatric visits over time.

Ear Aches in Children: Children prone to ear aches receiving cod liver oil plus selenium needed lower amounts of antibiotics during supplementation compared to before supplementation.

Diabetes: Pregnant women using cod liver oil have infants with a lower risk for juvenile type 1 diabetes. This effect was found only in mothers taking cod liver oil, not in mothers taking multivitamin supplements. 

Leukemia: In a study in China, use of cod liver oil was found to be protective against childhood leukemia

Mortality: In more than forty trials, vitamin A has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality of children.

Now that we know how good FCLO is for our health, especially for pregnant/nursing mothers, children, and people recovering from illnesses, next we will discuss a few reasons why even healthy people will benefit greatly from it as well.

Disclaimer: I am not a certified or a licensed medical practitioner who can counsel anyone in medical issues and cannot be held responsible for any decision you make regarding your health. Please consult your doctors whenever you are in doubt.

Introduction to Cod Liver Oil

Image by Andre Raharja

Introduction to Cod Liver Oil

Dr. Weston Price was the pioneer in bringing back the lost art of eating traditional food (whole and natural) that kept primitive populations healthy with beautiful facial structure and superb physiques. He was the author of the book "Nutrition and Physical Regeneration," "an epic study demonstrating the importance of whole food nutrition, and the degeneration and destruction that comes from a diet of processed foods. For nearly 10 years, Weston Price and his wife traveled around the world in search of the secret to health. Instead of looking at people afflicted with disease symptoms, this highly-respected dentist and dental researcher chose to focus on healthy individuals, and challenged himself to understand how they achieved such amazing health. Dr. Price traveled to hundreds of cities in a total of 14 different countries in his search to find healthy people. He investigated some of the most remote areas in the world. He observed perfect dental arches, minimal tooth decay, high immunity to tuberculosis and overall excellent health in those groups of people who ate their indigenous foods. He found when these people were introduced to modernized foods, such as white flour, white sugar, refined vegetable oils and canned goods, signs of degeneration quickly became quite evident. Dental caries, deformed jaw structures, crooked teeth, arthritis and a low immunity to tuberculosis became rampant amongst them." (source)

He noted that all their diets contained sources of good quality animal fat, which were vital for the full expression of our genetic potential and optimum health, including fish eggs, organ meats, butter from pasture-fed cows, and cod liver oil.

You can read the online version of this book here.

Cod Liver Oil History and Facts (source)

The history of cod liver oil goes way back to the Roman times and Viking era. 

"During the first half of the century, cod liver oil was the focus of a worldwide health initiative. Parents were urged to give cod liver oil to their children by doctors, by government officials, by teachers and principals in schools, and even by their ministers in churches. A large portion of adults in America born before the Second World War received cod liver oil as children and this practice contributed to a high level of health, intelligence and physical development in those lucky enough to receive it. In Europe in many countries, children received a daily ration of cod liver oil, especially during the war years. In the UK, for example, the government issued cod liver oil to all growing children until the early 1950s. The cod liver oil used during this period was obviously not toxic, but contributed to the good health of a whole generation of people. Surely the answer is to provide the current generation with the benefits of the same kind of cod liver oil." 

Do you know?

"In the Roman times, long before refrigeration, fish guts were placed in a barrel with sea water and allowed to ferment?"

"This fermented fish oil was undoubtedly the civilized world’s first health elixir, reserved for the soldiers and nobility. It is said that the soldiers refused to march without their daily ration of liquidum."

"During the nineteenth century, it was used to treat tuberculosis, malnutrition, and other poverty-related diseases. Between the wars, cod-liver oil became a major business in Hull and was used both for livestock and humans. During World War II, the British Ministry of Food, concerned about the effect of a tightened food supply on health, provided free cod-liver oil for pregnant and breast-feeding women, children under five, and adults over forty. School nurses forcefully administered spoonfuls of the vile-tasting liquid, while adults were often given it with orange juice. All this oil came from Iceland, where it contributed to a secondary Icelandic trade that remained and prospered after the war. The British government, believing that the oil had produced the healthiest children England had ever seen, despite bombings and rationing, continued the program until 1971. It was finally discontinued because people refused to take the oil. Icelanders, however, still take it, as do many Americans."

"Young children who have grown weak from diarrhoea in summer, and who seem unable to assimilate the food given them, can often be saved by rubbing cod liver oil into their skin."

Giving cod liver oil to hens will heal their wounds, make them non-aggressive and content, make their feathers shiny. (source)

Next, we will learn why cod liver oil is so good for us.

This post first appeared on Pasture Living.

Superfood: Cod Liver Oil

I have always taken regular fish oil growing up. But I didn't know there is such thing as cod liver oil until about a year ago when I started learning about health and nutrition. This amazing stuff is called the number one superfood and its history goes way back longer than we know. The ancient Vikings kept barrels of fermented cod liver oil in their homes and they were strong and healthy people. What is so special about cod liver oil?

Cod Liver Oil is Rich in:

- DHA and EPA, the long-chain fatty acids critical to neurological health and many other processes in the body. 

- Vitamin A, a naturally occurring fat-soluble vitamin that is needed for many bodily functions including the growth and repair of body tissues, building strong bones, teeth and good eyesight, and contributes to the health of the immune system. Vitamin-A deficiency in pregnant mothers results in birth defects and abnormalities. Unlike synthetic vitamin-A supplements, there is no associated risk of birth defects with naturally occurring, fat-soluble vitamin A. It is also almost impossible to get vitamin-A toxicity unless you are consuming in very large amount. The only source of true vitamin A is animal fats and much to our surprise, plant foods are a very poor source of vitamin A for humans.

- Vitamin D, another fat-soluble vitamin that is important for calcium and phosphorus absorption and metabolism, ensuring bone strength and prevent osteoporosis. It's important get enough Vitamin D especially for people living in colder weather. For those living in warmer weather and spend a lot of time in the sun, you may already get enough vitamin D and may not need to supplement, although it's still important to consume adequate vitamin A. Read here if you are worried about the possibility of getting too much vitamin D.

"Cod liver oil contains more vitamin A and more vitamin D per unit weight than any other common food. One hundred grams of regular cod liver oil provides 100,000 IU of vitamin A, almost three times more than beef liver, the next richest source; and 10,000 IU vitamin D, almost four times more than lard, the next richest source. Of course, cod liver oil is only consumed in small amounts, but even a tablespoon (about 15 grams) provides well over the recommended daily allowance for both nutrients." (source)

The very unsaturated fatty acids in cod liver oil work synergistically with saturated fats, therefore to get the maximum benefits of cod liver oil, your diet should contain ample saturated fats from butter, coconut oil, and other sources. And we don't have to be concerned about mercury content in cod liver oil because mercury is water-soluble and resides in the flesh of fish, not in the oil.

Which Cod Liver Oil to Get?

Many brands of cod liver oil have been processed using high temperature heat with synthetic vitamins added back in, because the vitamins were lost during processing. Pure cod liver oil is naturally fishy and hard to take for most people. If you find a brand that is "easy" to take, most likely it's not the real thing or the cod liver oil content is little (mixed with many other things). The best would be if you can find fermented cod liver oil. Lacto-fermenting cod liver oil (without heat) preserve and even enhance all of the nutrients. My family consumes Green Pasture fermented cod liver oil. Unfortunately, they don't ship internationally. You can check here for brand and dosage recommendation by Weston A. Price Foundation (it's a website I trust and respect for their research on health and nutrition).

Everyone will benefit from taking cod liver oil, particularly pregnant and nursing mothers. It will ensure the optimal development of the child and prevent birth defects. My family generally doesn't eat enough fish, so we take cod liver oil every day to make up for the lack in our diet. We gave Elin her first dose of cod liver oil when she was nine months old. She didn't like it at first, but bribing her with her favorite snack works. 

If you've tried cod liver oil before, do you feel a difference in your health? And what is your best way to get this magic oil down?

This post first appeared on Pasture Living.