I first came across fermented cod liver oil when I became frustrated with my 6 year old son’s dental health. I took him to a conventional dentist and all they had to offer was anesthetics and drilling. Logically, I knew something deeper was wrong because my 4 other kids didn’t have as much tooth decay as him.
After much research, I realized the strong connection between his teeth and the overall health of his body. He was lacking in some serious nutrients that were causing his body to leech these important nutrients from his teeth.
I finally came to the conclusion that fermented cod liver oil was something I needed to try. Rami Nagel talks about the importance of this supplement in his book Cure Tooth Decay.
My wife was so excited when I introduced this supplement into our home. She always wanted to find something that was simple to give our entire family (ages 6 to 6 months old) and that she knew had everything they needed, especially the most the important nutrients, such as omega 3 fatty acids and adequate quantities of bio-available (easily absorbed) forms of natural vitamin A and D, which she knew we could not get from any single food.
As a naturopathic doctor I like to individualize my recommendations to my patients, but I believe this supplement has such a foundational role that I end up recommending it to everyone because clinical research reveals over and over again that as a nation we are chronically deficient in everything that fermented cod liver oil has to offer.
Why Fermented Cod Liver Oil and NOT Regular Cod Liver Oil or Fish Oil
Nearly all manufacturers of cod liver oil, krill oil and fish oil supplements use high heat or chemicals to extract the therapeutic oils. It is by far the most efficient way to do it taking only a few hours to accomplish. But this process destroys the naturally occurring vitamin A and D content and denatures the delicate omega 3 fatty acids.
The manufacturers then usually re-add the vitamin A and D, typically in synthetic form, therefore making these vitamins much less bio-available and sometimes toxic.
Fermenting the cod livers does not cause these problems. It requires 6 to 12 months to delicately render the fish oil using traditional fermentation methods of the livers. This preserves the natural nutrient content and delicate fatty acids. It also makes them much more bio-available to our bodies.
Fermented cod liver oil not only is great to help prevent infectious disease (yes, your children will get sick far less often and recover much more quickly!), but is also excellent for preventing the array of chronic degenerative diseases that plague our society: depression, cancer, heart-disease, auto-immune disorders etc.
Here is an extended listed of the benefits of fermented cod liver oil (FCLO):
- Promotes healthy cholesterol levels (HDL/LDL ratios)
- Prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaque
- Is a systemic anti-inflammatory
- Reduces symptoms from arthritis (rheumatoid and osteoarthritis)
- Promotes mental health (prevents degenerative mental diseases)
- Supports tooth and bone health
- Promotes healthy hormone balance
- Supports the health of hair, skin, and nails
- Reduces inflammatory skin conditions (acne, eczema, etc.)
- Helps manage ADHD symptoms
- Helps manage inflammatory lung conditions (asthma)
- Can help stabilize mood disorders (bi-polar, depression, etc.).
Recommended Dosage
My wife administers 2 mL (little less than 1/2 a teaspoon) to our children, which is the bare minimum you would want to give your family daily.
Here are the dosages I would recommend:
Children (3 months to 12 years): 1/8 – 1/2 tsp or 1-4 capsules (0.625 – 2.5 ml)
Adults and children 12+ years: 1/2 – 1 tsp or 5-10 capsules (2.5 – 5 ml)
Pregnant and nursing women: 1 – 2 tsp or 10-20 capsules (5-10 ml)
Click here for sources of fermented cod liver oil in both liquid or capsule form.
Best Taken with Butter Oil
The best way to take FCLO is with butter oil to boost nutrient absorption. If this supplement is not available, ghee from grassfed cows may be used. For those with dairy allergies, use emu oil. One quarter teaspoon per day is sufficient.
The benefits of taking these healthy fats together is based on the detailed research of Dr. Weston A. Price.
Fermented Cod Liver Oil for those with Sensitive Throat Issues
Keep in mind that sometimes the fermented cod liver oil can cause a slight burning sensation in the throat, which is due to the beneficial lactic acid from the fermentation.
This sensation will go away quite quickly and even be prevented entirely if you chase it down with something that has fat in it like milk or a smoothie (which we like to use with our family).
More Information
Myths and Truths of an Ancient Superfood
The Truth About Trans Fats in Cod Liver Oil
How Kinesiology (Muscle Testing) Can Help You Select the Best Cod Liver Oil Brand for Your Family
Sometimes ‘the best’ is too expensive for some of us. I wish we could all afford everything like this that we are told we “need.”
Amazon.ca has one source ($hipping cost not worth it for me.) My Vancouver WholeFoods only has orange flavoured FCLO and no butter oil. And a neighbouring supplement store has it all. I hesitate to mention the last store as I don’t want my source seized by govt. Eastern Canada seem to have a better source supply according to Nourishing Tradition’s Facebook.
Are there any research articles to accompany this post?
There isn’t much out there in terms of Fermented Cod Liver Oil, but if you take the components that Fermented Cod Liver Oil contains (Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, etc.), they all have been researched extremely thoroughly, and their benefits have been confirmed in multiple clinical trials.
What about the mercury content? Is there any information about that?
Every batch is tested for purity and to be free from contaminants.
Why cod liver oil is so controversial because it has vitamien A?
In Canada it’s VERY hard to find. I found only a couple of reliable sources but you PAY! Mail ordering may have it seized by customs or you pay a hefty duty on top of the hefty shipping cost. Buy it across the border and just categorize it as groceries, have an American friend bring it to you or ask a store that carries St. France’s product to order it in as they are the Canadian distributors. Reason for difficulty is that butter oil is a raw milk product (shhhhhh.) and FCLO works synergistically with butter oil.
good to know…I’m going to try bring a bunch across soon. Is there a limit they are going to flag you for?
Good to know…I’m going to try to bring some across soon. Do you know if there is a limit on how much you can bring without problems? like a ‘personal use’ limit or anything?
Oh my gosh!!!! Visions of growing up next to my grandparents out in the country!!!! My grandmother believe Cod liver oil fixed about everything. As kids we would run when she pulled that bottle out!!!! Of course, no one in the family ever got sick!!!! Germs were too afraid!!
This is kinda tmi, but does anyone get gas from taking it? I took it for a week or so and was getting lot of gas. I didn’t take it Saturday or Sunday and the gas stopped. I don’t mind taking it, but was hoping that part would just go away.
I don’t, but some do apparently. I just read this on their website in the FAQs. Sounds like it is related to bile production. If your body is not used to much fat, it takes time to adjust. Swedish bitters can help.
I had a terrible case of diarrhea every time I took it, and I made sure to take OxBile supplement with it as I have problems digesting fat. I don’t think FCLO works for everybody. Is there any other brand of Cod Liver oil that is okay to take? Perhaps one that is less expensive?
Amy this is the brand I use
Where would you buy this??? Health food stores or order on-line??
I can testify that it works. I started my four children on it in January and we haven’t been sick since. Last winter we had colds that never seemed to end!
I bought the Cinnamon Tingle and the Chocolate Gel which is a CLO/butter oil mix. My children far preferred the Cinnamon. One daughter is extremely picky and I started her out with just a tiny bit and gradually worked up to the full amount and she now takes it just fine. It’s expensive with so many children but it is so nice not to get sick! Everyone around us was dropping like flies to a very bad flu but we never got it.