Page 20 - Spring2009

The Cod Liver Oil Debate

Science Validates the Benefits of
Our Number One Superfood

By Chris Masterjohn

or centuries, cod liver oil has served as a valuable
source of vitamins A and D and omega-3 fatty acids.

FIt was a critical component of Weston Price’s pro-
gram for reversing tooth decay and many practitioners in

his day used it to treat eye diseases, rickets, and infec-
tions. Along with many other physicians, Dr. Price recom-

mended 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.

Recently, however, cod liver oil has come under attack. After issuing a
series of newsletters criticizing the use of cod liver oil because of its vita-
min A content, Dr. John Cannell, through the Vitamin D Council, wrote a
commentary entitled “Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin A Toxicity, Frequent Respira-
tory Infections, and the Vitamin D Deficiency Epidemic” published in the
November, 2008 issue of the Journal of Otology, Rhinology, & Laryngol-
1
ogy. Cannell and co-authors claim that vitamin A intakes above the most
minimal levels increase mortality rates, increase vulnerability to infections,
cause osteoporosis, and antagonize the beneficial effects of vitamin D.
18 Wise Traditions SPRING 2009