Why take fermented cod liver oil? Lots of reasons.
2012
Why take fermented cod liver oil? That’s a great question. Because, let’s be honest, it doesn’t sound all that appealing. But this traditional super food has a pretty impressive lists of benefits… which is why so many people continue to take it. Including me.
Fermented cod liver oil goes way back. In fact, many of the great historical cultures have used this sacred food to ensure vitality and health. Roman Soldiers were given a daily ration. The Scandinavian Vikings had a drum of fermenting cod livers outside the door of their homes. And not too long ago, grandmas across the nation had some in their cupboard, too.
Here are some of the reasons my family takes fermented cod liver oil:
Benefits of Fermented Cod Liver Oil
1. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is not really a vitamin, but one of the oldest prohormones (a substance that can be converted to a hormone). Vitamin D is critically important for the development, growth, and maintenance of a healthy body, beginning with gestation in the womb and continuing throughout the lifespan.
Vitamin D deficiency is often associated with rickets. And it’s clear it has a function in maintaining healthy bones since bone softening diseases like osteomalacia and osteoporosis have been associated with low levels of vitamin D.
But beyond our bones, vitamin D deficiency has been linked to congestive heart failure, several cancers, Multiple Sclerosis, Type I Diabetes and high blood pressure. And people with significantly low levels of vitamin D have been shown be more susceptible to colds and flu viruses.
Not only that, but vitamin D has been shown to help protect people from diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Fibromyalgia. It also helps with skin infections. Oh yeah, it also protects against skin cancer and Rheumatoid Arthritis. (Learn more about the power of vitamin D)
And guess what? It’s estimated that more than 70% of Americans are deficient in Vitamin D.
So how do I get more vitamin D?
Direct sunlight is a great source… assuming it’s the right time of year, you don’t wear sunscreen, you live in the right place, and you actually get outside during the right hours. Not always easy.
The best food source? That’s right: Fermented Cod Liver Oil.
2. Vitamin A
Consider these reasons for making sure you have enough vitamin A:
- Vitamin A is important for vision
- Vitamin A regulates genes
- Vitamin A supports the immune system
- Vitamin A is important for red blood cell production
And to top it off: Vitamin A is a co-factor for Vitamin D. Which is why it’s important to have both of these together.
And wouldn’t you know it: Fermented Cod Liver Oil has both Vitamin A and D.
3. Essential Fatty Acids
Beyond being the powerhouse for vitamins A and D, Cod liver oil is also rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docasahexaenoic acid (DHA). The body makes these fatty acids from omega-3 linolenic acid. These essential fatty acids are very important for the proper function of the brain and nervous system.
Fermented Cod Liver Oil: The original super food
It’s little wonder that fermented cod liver oil has been used for so many years. In fact, fermented cod liver oil was often regarded as a critical part of a fertility diet, proving to be essential prior to conception, during pregnancy, and for growing children (in the proper dosage, of course). It’s also one of my family’s immediate “go to” remedies when we feel a cold coming on. It’s powerful stuff.
Why fermented?
It’s important to remember that not all cod liver oil is created equal. Despite the “gross” factor that comes with the idea of fermented cod liver oil, it’s really the best option out there. Why?
Around the time of the industrial revolution, the production of cod liver oil became much less natural. Supplement manufacturers started extracting the oil in a way that strips out key vitamins like A and D. Then they go in and add synthetic versions of these vitamins. But there is at least one company who still does it the old fashion way: through the fermentation process.
So as less-than-appealing as it may sound, it’s the only way to ensure that you are getting real vitamins that your body knows how to process. Nature is pretty amazing, right?
Want to know what FCLO my family takes? Check out the Village Green Market to learn about the company that’s still doing things the right way.
Do you take cod liver oil? How do you take it? (I’m a capsule weenie myself.)
Sources:
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/about-vitamin-d/
http://www.realfooduniversity.com/just-how-important-is-vitamin-d/
http://archneur.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=796288
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=vitamin-d-deficiency-united-states
http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-000102000000000000000.html
http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/vitamins-minerals/vitamin-a-why-its-important.html#b
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/about-vitamin-d/
http://butterbeliever.com/the-only-cure-i-need-for-the-common-cold/
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0037QH0C0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0037QH0C0&linkCode=as2&tag=than01-20
This post is part of The Mommy Club, Scratch Cookin’ Tuesday, Allergy Free Wednesday, Healthy 2Day, Fresh Food Wednesday, Real Foods Wednesday, Creative Juice Thursday, Simple Lives Thursday, Tasty Traditions, Freaky Friday, Fight Back Friday, Motivation Monday, Monday Mania, Clever Chicks, Sweet Sharing Monday, Sunday School, Fat Tuesday, and Frugal Days Sustainable Ways.
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I just recently started taking FCLO. I felt like I didn’t adequately fit the description “real food lover” unless I was taking it
Plus, Emily convinced me in her post about how it cures the common cold.
To my surprise, it isn’t bad at all! I take the liquid cinnamon flavor. It came with a little syringe and the serving size is only 2 ml. I just shoot it into the back of my throat and follow with a sip of water, while holding my breath. There is only a faint aftertaste. It sounds like a hassle, but it really isn’t!
That’s good too know. Maybe I’ll give the liquid stuff a try… since it is cheaper.
Thanks, Lauren.
What’s the difference in capsules and gel? I am afraid the gel would make me wanna throw up. I hate hate fish!
Hi Ladonna,
I think I just responded to you about this on facebook, but in case anyone else has the same question: The capsules and gel are the exact same in terms of the oil. The only difference is the delivery method via capsule which covers most of the flavor. They are more expensive, however, so if you don’t mind the taste I’d say go for the gel for sure. Hope that helps!
I started taking FCLO about 3 months ago. I take the liquid kind, Oslo Orange flavor. I don’t love it, but I know how good it is for me…so I do it! I haven’t done the math on this, so sorry if I’m passing along bad info, but I read last week that you would have to take multiple capsules to equal the recommended dose of liquid…and MORE if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding (which I am).
It’s true. It’s takes a lot of capsules to equal the same amount of gel that you can take in one single shot. Once I’m done with my capsules I’m going to brave the gel. Wish me luck.
We take the Olso Orange flavor. I use a syringe. Fill up my dose then fill the rest of the syringe with apple cider (the spices do a good job hiding the fish flavor), and I drink a small glass of apple cider to wash it down. MY KIDS take it too. I use chocolate almond milk and do the syringe thing too. I’m would like them to take it another way, but this is working so I’m going to stick with it for now.
Awesome, Heather! Love the idea.
C was so good about taking it straight up and then refused. Right now we actually put it on her bottom before night time (and use a disposal diaper at night since it stains). Hoping she’ll go back to taking it orally when she’s a bit older.
Great Story!!!!!. I eat wild caught salmon and my vitamin D scores are very optimal. Especially for an African-American, who cannot get it from the sun in a northern climate. You’re right, cod liver is a great source, and one of the few true sources you can get vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency, as I am assuming you know, is now being correlated to cancer and other diseases. Simple knowledge such as this can save out lives and/or health
Thanks, Douglas! It’s true, I’ve been reading a lot about vitamin D lately and it’s so essential to good health (and something most people are deficient of). Thanks for stopping by.
i haven’t braved it yet because i’m like ladonna… not a huge fish fan. but there are some good ideas here about the cider and the cinnamon, and a syringe… i figure if this stuff is obviously so beneficial, it’s worth making faces over for a minute! wish me luck, i’m buying some this week!!
Good luck! Let me know how it goes.
I’m vitamin D deficient so I will check out their website and thanks for the article.
Hope it helps!
All the benefits you mentioned, plus the fermentation provides vitamin K2, which will be the next celebrated overlooked vitamin, now that everyone knows about vitamin D. K2 prevents against many chronic diseases and our fat-phobic standard American diets are low in K2 (butter, cheese, yummm) so another food source is ideal.
I take the liquid cinnamon flavor, but the capsules are not that much more expensive, the bottle just holds fewer doses so you have to keep re-buying it more frequently.
We interviewed Dave Wetzel, plus described everything else wonderful about this product I recommend to all my patients. http://www.drdeborahmd.com/fermented-cod-liver-oil-traditional-food
Awesome, Deborah! Thanks for the info.
i’ve never actually taken cod liver oil. i do hear its very good for you though. does it taste awful in pill form?
thank you for sharing your post with us at the Wednesday Fresh Foods Link Up! i look forward to seeing what other seasonal & whole/real food posts you have for us this week! xo, kristy
I don’t notice any taste with the pill form.
I was researching fermented cod liver oil and your post was #4!!!! I bought some and I’m excited to see what benefits it provides.
That’s awesome!
I love my FCLO. 
My daughter takes the chocolate cream butter blend and her eczema cleared up so fast! She says its good, too bad its so hard to get here in Canada
That’s awesome about your daughter’s skin. Sad that’s it hard to get your hands on.
I just learned from Sally Fallon via the Healthy Life Summit that you can start giving fermented Cod Liver Oil to babies as early as 3 months. I am about it start taking it and thought I’d give it to baby too. Did you find C took better to a particular flavor? I assume you did the liquid with her.
We gave her orange. She loved it!
I am just curious to know what the difference is between the FCLO and Krill Oil? I have heard that the Krill Oil is better since there is less mercury, is there any way to get a clarification? Thanks!
http://krill-oil.wellwise.org/krill-oil-vs-cod-liver-oil
Thanks! That article seems skewed towards Krill oil but was still very informative. Why do you choose FCLO over Krill oil?
Yeah, depending on what article you read you’ll get one bias over the other. I choose FCLO because I love the process by which it is made. I feel more confident in what I’m actually consuming. But I don’t think it has to be a black or white situation. You could always do one on one day and switch it up the next.