Page 24 - Summer 2019 Journal

In some individuals, the omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil may cause a deficiency of arachidonic acid (AA), leading to skin problems, food sensitivities and other undesired effects.
butter and egg yolks from pastured animals, marine oils like seal oil, fish eggs, shellfish and “weird” foods like blood, fish heads, insects and reptiles. It is very difficult for modern peoples to obtain high levels of these vitamins from the Western diet. Even if you eat liver frequently and have a source of butter and egg yolks from pastured animals, it is still difficult to obtain sufficient amounts of these vitamins. As ex- plained by Chris Masterjohn, PhD, cod liver oil “is a valuable and convenient way to obtain vitamins A and D together with omega-3 fatty acids—all nutrients most Americans require in greater levels than they currently obtain through their diets.”
Masterjohn explains: “For centuries, cod liver oil has served as a valuable source of vi- tamins A and D and omega-3 fatty acids. It was a critical component of Weston Price’s program for reversing tooth decay, and many practitio- ners in his day used it to treat eye diseases, rickets and infections. Along with many other physicians, Dr. Price recommended 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.”11
However, as with any food, cod liver oil in both fermented and unfermented form is not for everyone. Those with a high sensitivity to histamines and other components of fermented foods will prefer the extra-virgin or virgin cod liver oils rather than fermented cod liver oil. Some people are deathly allergic to all seafoods and will need to obtain their A and D vitamins from other foods.
In some individuals, the omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil may cause a deficiency of arachidonic acid (AA), leading to skin problems, food sensitivities and other undesired effects.
This is because marine oils require balance with animal fats. Animal fats supply omega-6 arachidonic acid to balance the omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil. In addition, animal fats supply vitamin K2 to balance vitamins A and D, and they supply saturated fats to balance and protect the highly unsaturated fatty acids. Fortunately, in the Western diet, the fats of both land and sea are easily available.
RANCIDITY TESTING
The Weston A. Price Foundation contracted
with an independent laboratory to test natural (unheated) cod liver oil under various conditions using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) test- ing. Green Pastures, Nutra Pro, Dropi and Rosita are U.S. brands and were ordered anonymously through their respective websites; Amorica, a U.K. brand, was ordered anonymously in the U.K. from the Amorica website.
The five brands of cod liver oil (two fermented, one “virgin” and two “extra virgin”) were tested under the following seven conditions:
On opening.
Condition A: After one week, in the dark, at room temperature.
Condition B: After one week, in the dark, refrigerated at 4°C.
SYMPTOMS OF DHA AND ARACHIDONIC ACID (AA) DEFICIENCY12
DHA DEFICIENCY
• Numbness and tingling
• Weakness
• Pain
• Psychological disturbances
• Poor cognitive function and difficulty learning • Poor visual acuity
• Blurred vision
• Poor immunity
• Poor growth
• Inflammation
ARACHIDONIC ACID DEFICIENCY • Dry, scaly and itchy skin
• Hair loss
• Dandruff
• Reproductive difficulties in both males and females • Gastrointestinal disturbances
• Food intolerances
• Kidney disease
• Inability to maintain weight • Poor immunity
• Poor growth
• Inflammation
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Wise Traditions
SUMMER 2019