Page 44 - Spring2009

A from plant foods. We have thoroughly explored this topic and shown Dr. Mercola sells krill oil. Is this why he
that plant foods are a very poor source of vitamin A for humans, especially recommends it? The omega-3 fatty acids in krill
for babies and children, diabetics, and those suffering from thyroid and oil are likely to be highly damaged from heat
digestive disorders. (See http://www.westonaprice.org/basicnutrition/vita- treatment during industrial processing. (See our
minasaga.html.) description on page 32.) In addition, there is a
Although you can obtain vitamin D from your diet, it is very difficult, danger from over-dosing on omega-3 fatty acids,
and I believe it is very unnatural. It is my strong belief that we were de- which can depress the immune system and poten-
signed to obtain virtually all of our vitamin D from exposing appropriate tially lead to cancer. By taking a high-vitamin cod
areas of our skin to sunshine. If this is not possible, the next best choice liver oil, you can obtain adequate vitamins A and
would be exposure to UVB rays from safe tanning beds, and if that is not D without overdosing on omega-3 fatty acids.
possible then one should resort to a high quality vitamin D supplement. Another potential point of confusion is that
3
Why is it unnatural to get vitamin D from the diet? Is it more unnatural beta carotene is not a concern, as that is PRE
than taking vitamin D pills? What did our ancestors do during the winter vitamin A. Your body will simply not over convert
months? Mercola was not there to sell them vitamin D pills or tanning beds. beta carotene to excessive levels of vitamin A. So
Even in the tropics, traditional peoples obtained high amounts of vitamin taking beta carotene supplements is not going to
D from their food. interfere with vitamin D.
As it stands, it is my strong belief that you’re simply not getting the Several studies have shown that taking beta-
appropriate balance of vitamin A to vitamin D from cod liver oil, which is carotene supplements result in higher mortality.
why I believe it is best to avoid it. The body cannot convert beta-carotenes into ad-
With the right brands of cod liver oil, it is indeed possible to get the right equate levels of vitamin A. To achieve optimum
balance of A and D and a myriad of well documented health benefits. health, we need liberal amounts of preformed
Please note that this new recommendation does NOT apply to either vitamin A from foods like liver, seafood, butter,
fish oil or krill oil, as neither of them contain the vitamins A or D, but egg yolks and cod liver oil, along with vitamin D
rather are excellent sources of essential omega-3 fats. EVERYONE still from the same types of foods, not from vitamin
needs a regular high quality source of these absolutely essential and vital D pills.
nutrients.

RECENT STUDIES ON COD LIVER OIL

Numerous recent studies have shown wide ranging benefits from cod liver oil, as indicated by these summaries from
articles published between 2000 and 2009.

PAIN IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: Cod liver oil supplements were better than controls in relieving pain and can be
used as NSAID-sparing agents in rheumatoic arthritis patients (Rheumatology (Oxford). 2008 May;47(5):665-9).

VITAMIN D STATUS AND BONE LOSS: Inclusion of cod liver oil in the diet appears to attenuate the seasonal variation
of vitamin D status in early postmenopausal women at northerly latitudes where quality of sunlight for production of
vitamin D is diminished. Cod liver oil can thus protect against greater bone turnover, bone loss and obesity (Bone. 2008
May;42(5):996-1003).

DIABETES-RELATED CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS: Cod liver oil treatment in diabetic rats completely prevented
endothelial deficiency and partly corrected several biochemical markers for cardiovascular disorders (J Pharm Pharmacol.
2007 Dec;59(12):1629-41).

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: In Arctic climates, supplemental cod-liver oil during childhood may be protective against multiple
sclerosis later in life (J Neurol. 2007 Apr;254(4):471-7).

BREAST CANCER: Reduced breast cancer risks were associated with increasing sun exposure and cod liver oil use from
ages ten to nineteen. “We found strong evidence to support the hypothesis that vitamin D could help prevent breast
cancer. However, our results suggest that exposure earlier in life, particularly during breast development, maybe most
relevant” (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2007 Mar;16(3):422-9).

42 Wise Traditions SPRING 2009