Fermented cod liver oil has all the nutrients that are originally in the food itself. It contains hundreds of nutrients including high amounts of vitamins A and D. But why the controversy over regular cod liver oil (also known as denatured) and fermented cod liver oil?
Fermented Cod Liver Oil and Fat Soluble Vitamins
Fermented cod liver oil, also known as FCLO, retains all the nutrients because it has not been processed with heat. Heat makes it denatured, in other words, biologically changed. Unlike industrialized cod liver oil, the fermented type is not rancid and contains fat soluble vitamins A and D. In fact, it has several forms of vitamin D, not just one.
What most consumers consider regular cod liver oil, is just heated up, processed, denatured oil that can be rancid, and is missing important nutrients. It is not the worst thing to consume a high quality cod liver oil that is not fermented, but it is not the best. The best, many nutritionists and naturopaths say, is Blue Ice Cod Liver Oil. Cod liver oil that is not fermented has synthetic vitamin D added back into it; consumers then are only receiving one type of the vitamin which is D3.
The Weston A. Price Foundation and Fermented Cod Liver Oil
The Weston A. Price Foundation, which also calls the oil "high vitamin cod liver oil," gives dosage recommendations for it. Because it is so high in its vitamins, it cannot be taken like a processed cod liver oil. For instance, 1 tsp. would give an adult approximately 9,500 IU of vitamin A and 1,950 IU of vitamin D.
The foundation goes on to say, "Please note that the fermented cod liver oil contains many co-factors that may enhance the body's uptake and usage of vitamins A and D; in fact, many have reported results equivalent to those obtained from high-vitamin cod liver oil with half the recommended dose, that is ¼ teaspoon or 1.25 mL for children age 3 months to 12 years; ½ teaspoon or 5 capsules for children over 12 years and adults; and 1 teaspoon or 10 capsules for pregnant and nursing women."
Dr. Weston A. Price considered fermented cod liver oil to be the best superfood a person can take as it contains the vitamins in their natural state, not to mention all the enzymes present in the unheated oil.
The reason for industrialized cod liver oil that consumers are used to buying is that it is quickly made. It can be made in days, but once the heating process happens and synthetic vitamins must be added back into the produce, it is no longer food, but a health supplement. Fermented cod liver oil is food - pure, clean food, nothing added and nothing taken away.
Buying Fermented Cod Liver Oil - Green Pastures and Local Chapters
Using the Weston A. Price Foundation's local chapters to help find fermented cod liver oil is an option to possibly save money on shipping. Refer to the Weston A. Price Foundation website for local chapter listings, not just in the Unites States, but throughout the world including Canada, Nova Scotia, and Australia.
Blue Ice High Vitamin Cod Liver Oil made by Green Pastures can be bought through the company itself or through other websites who carry it. When storing the fermented cod liver oil, there should be no concern about it being in the heat like a processed brand. When it is fermented, it can withstand heat, but no light and does not require refrigeration. Green Pastures also sells their high quality butter oil which, when taken with the fermented cod liver oil, contains what Dr. Price considered necessary for good health.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a health care professional for advice.
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Sources
Fallon, Sally and Enig, Mary G. Cod Liver Oil Basics and Recommendations. February 8, 2009.
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