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Why you should consider virgin cod liver oil for immune function and general health:
There are many lines of evidence supporting the consumption of high quality (virgin) cod liver oil. In this thread, I'll lay them out.
There are many lines of evidence supporting the consumption of high quality (virgin) cod liver oil. In this thread, I'll lay them out.
1. Deep Tradition: Bronze Age Greeks used dolphin liver oil. 1000 AD Norse fishermen would steam cod livers over birch branches to extract the oil. 1700s European doctors used it to treat rheumatism.
They couldn't identify vitamin D or A or omega-3s, but it just worked.
They couldn't identify vitamin D or A or omega-3s, but it just worked.
Hell, it wasn't just northern Europe. I know a man who grew up in 50s Thailand. Every time he left for school, he had to take a big spoonful of cod liver oil. This was standard.
Traditional usage isn't proof, but it helps build the case.
I doubt everyone was just deluded.
Traditional usage isn't proof, but it helps build the case.
I doubt everyone was just deluded.
2. Older Research:
1845: Case study of man with rheumatoid arthritis who tried cod liver oil (train oil). Went from taking opium daily just to handle pain to "trimming hedges... with full sweep of vigorous manhood."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2559345/?page=1
1845: Case study of man with rheumatoid arthritis who tried cod liver oil (train oil). Went from taking opium daily just to handle pain to "trimming hedges... with full sweep of vigorous manhood."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2559345/?page=1
1927: Cod liver oil used to prevent "snuffles" in rabbits and pneumonia in guinea pigs without access to fresh alfalfa.
1921: Cod liver oil protects against rickets, a skeletal disorder of vitamin D deficiency. This suggests that the oil is a good source of vitamin D, and that the vitamin A content does not antagonize it (indeed, it may synergize with it).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1524299/?page=6
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1524299/?page=6
1824: A German doctor's use of cod liver oil in severe rickets (unable to walk) cured the condition in 5 to 9 weeks.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/1173883
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/1173883
20th century: Vitamin D, whether via cod liver oil, sunlight, or phototherapy, was quite effective against tuberculosis. Better than the alternatives, at least.
3. Recent Research:
Pregnant women who take low dose (500 mg/day) cod liver oil have better glucose control, lipid numbers, hs-CRP (highly sensitive C-reactive protein, a marker of general inflammation) and fewer perinatal complications. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6949680/
Pregnant women who take low dose (500 mg/day) cod liver oil have better glucose control, lipid numbers, hs-CRP (highly sensitive C-reactive protein, a marker of general inflammation) and fewer perinatal complications. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6949680/
Kids who take cod liver oil every day have fewer doctor's visits for upper respiratory tract infections, like colds and flus. Low income kids with likely poor diets, so this may have been the only source of omega-3s, retinol, and vitamin D for them. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21677119
Some suggest that the vitamin A content of cod liver oil makes it a poor source of vitamin D—that to get enough vitamin D, you'll go overboard on vitamin A and cause issues. But among older Icelandic adults, those taking it 6x a week had optimal D levels and good bone density.
After introduction of synthetic vitamins into the oil, up until 1999, most cod liver oils were too high in vitamin A. In Norwegian people who took commercial cod liver oil before the change to lower A, frequent intake was positively linked to asthma. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22977130
Among Norwegian cancer patients with lung cancer or solid tumors, those taking cod liver oil had a lower risk of death than those who did not. It's possible that this is the "healthy user effect"—patients who took cod liver oil did other healthy things. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19444919
Again in Norwegians, only use of cod liver oil was associated with lower numbers of cold/flu symptoms. Neither sun exposure nor vitamin D levels were linked.
This suggests cod liver oil is more than just the vitamin D.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23659381
This suggests cod liver oil is more than just the vitamin D.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23659381
So, should you take any old cod liver oil?
No. Most popular varieties are heat-processed, stripped of natural vitamin A and D, and then re-dosed with synthetic versions of vitamin A and D with imbalanced ratios—too much A, not enough D.
What about fermented cod liver oil?
No. Most popular varieties are heat-processed, stripped of natural vitamin A and D, and then re-dosed with synthetic versions of vitamin A and D with imbalanced ratios—too much A, not enough D.
What about fermented cod liver oil?
In times past, fishermen would make cod liver oil by dumping livers in a bucket every time they made a catch. At the end of a season, they'd collect the putrefied oil, which was mainly used for burning, industrial applications.
Dubious health benefits, no real data. Bad taste.
Dubious health benefits, no real data. Bad taste.
Virgin cod liver oil is the safest and best.
Produced with minimal heat, preserving fragile omega-3s.
Retains natural vitamins A and D.
Closest to ancient ways.
They taste clean. My kids eat the capsules like candy. Meanwhile, fermented cod liver oil tastes awful, burns throat.
Produced with minimal heat, preserving fragile omega-3s.
Retains natural vitamins A and D.
Closest to ancient ways.
They taste clean. My kids eat the capsules like candy. Meanwhile, fermented cod liver oil tastes awful, burns throat.
Rosita and Dropi are the ones I recommend. Virgin, clean flavor, good A to D ratio, naturally occurring vitamins.
No high doses. A teaspoon, perhaps two is plenty. None worse than some, some better than too much. U-shaped benefit curve.
No high doses. A teaspoon, perhaps two is plenty. None worse than some, some better than too much. U-shaped benefit curve.
I consider cod liver oil a great way to get bioavailable vitamin A, vitamin D, long chained omega-3s, and any "other stuff" we haven't quantified.
You can take vitamin D in addition to it if you're worried about too much vitamin A.
You can take vitamin D in addition to it if you're worried about too much vitamin A.
Oh, and don't inject it into your dick for enlargement. It sounds enticing, I know, and it might get bigger, but that'll be because of local inflammation. And you're likely to get necrosis and require surgery to correct it.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20138344
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20138344
