13/11/2019 Cod Liver Oil Basics and Recommendations - The Weston A.

Price Foundation

The Weston A. Price Foundation

Cod Liver Oil Basics and

Recommendations
FEBRUARY 9, 2009 BY SALLY FALLON AND MARY G. ENIG, PHD
(HTTPS://WWW.WESTONAPRICE.ORG/AUTHOR/SFALLONMENIG/)

Read this in:

Français (https://www.westonaprice.org/fr/health-topics/cod-liver-oil-intro-french-
translation/)

Last updated 2019 Concerns about Fermented Cod Liver Oil

(http://www.westonaprice.org/uncategorized/concerns-about-fermented-cod-liver-oil/)
Questions and Answers About Fermented Cod Liver Oil
(http://www.westonaprice.org/uncategorized/questions-and-answers-about-fermented-
cod-liver-oil-fclo/) JUMP TO: Brand Recommendations – Updated 2019 Once a standard
supplement in traditional European societies, cod liver oil provides fat-soluble vitamins A
and D, which Dr. Price found present in the diet of primitives in amounts ten times higher
than in modernized diets. Cod liver oil supplements are a must for women and their male
partners, to be taken for several months before conception, and for women during
pregnancy. Growing children will also bene t greatly from a small daily dose.

Cod liver oil is also rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docasahexaenoic acid (DHA).
The body makes these fatty acids from omega-3 linolenic acid. EPA is as an important link
in the chain of fatty acids that ultimately results in prostaglandins, localized tissue
hormones while DHA is very important for the proper function of the brain and nervous
system. Those individuals who have consumed large amounts of polyunsaturated oils,
especially partially hydrogenated oils, who are su ering from certain nutrient de ciencies,
or who have impaired pancreatic function, such as diabetics, may not be able to produce
EPA and DHA and will, therefore, lack important prostaglandins and necessary fats for the

brain unless they consume oily sh or take a cod liver oil supplement. Buy cod liver oil in
dark bottles and store in a cool, dark, dry place. Please read Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Cod
Liver Oil: Some Clari cations below for amounts to give to adults and children and for
recommended brands. Cod liver oil is easy to take when stirred into a small amount of

https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/cod-liver-oil/cod-liver-oil-basics-and-recommendations/ 1/11
13/11/2019 Cod Liver Oil Basics and Recommendations - The Weston A. Price Foundation

y
water or fresh juice. Dr. Price always gave cod liver oil along with high-vitamin butter oil,
extracted by centrifuge from good quality spring or fall butter. He found that cod liver oil
on its own was relatively ine ective but combined with high vitamin butter oil produced
excellent results. The butter oil contains what he called Activator X, now considered to be
vitamin K2, which works synergistically with vitamins A and D (see Chris Masterjohn’s
article “On the Trail of the Elusive X Factor: A Sixty-Year Old Mystery Finally Solved”
(http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/abcs-of-nutrition/on-the-trail-of-the-elusive-x-
factor-a-sixty-two-year-old-mystery- nally-solved/)). Your diet should include sources of
vitamin K, such as good quality butter from grass-fed cows and/or high-vitamin butter oil,
fat from grass-fed animals, cheeses from grass-fed animals and duck or goose liver, along
with cod liver oil.

Vitamin A, Vitamin D & Cod Liver Oil: Some

Clari cations
Several visitors to our website have noted inconsistencies in various statements about
vitamin A, vitamin D and cod liver oil. These issues revolve around questions of dosage
and safety.

Vitamin A Dosage

We have pointed out that concerns about vitamin A toxicity are exaggerated. While some
forms of synthetic vitamin A found in supplements can be toxic at only moderately high
doses, fat-soluble vitamin A naturally found in foods like cod liver oil, liver, and butterfat is
safe at up to ten times the doses of water-soluble, solidi ed and emulsi ed vitamin A
found in some supplements that produce toxicity.(1) Additionally, the vitamin D found in
cod liver oil and butterfat from pasture-raised animals protects against vitamin A toxicity,
and allows one to consume a much higher amount of vitamin A before it becomes toxic.(1-
3) Liver from land mammals is high in vitamin A but low in vitamin D, and should therefore
be consumed with other vitamin D-rich foods such as lard or bacon from pasture-raised
pigs, egg yolks, and oily sh, or during months in which UV-B light is su cient to provide

one with adequate vitamin D. As a general guideline, we recommend the following doses
of vitamin A from cod liver oil, along with a nutrient-dense diet that contains other vitamin
A-rich foods:

https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/cod-liver-oil/cod-liver-oil-basics-and-recommendations/ 2/11
13/11/2019 Cod Liver Oil Basics and Recommendations - The Weston A. Price Foundation

Children age 3 months to 12 years: A dose of cod liver oil that provides about 5000
IU vitamin A daily, obtained from about 1 teaspoon of regular cod liver oil or ½
teaspoon of high-vitamin cod liver oil.
Children over 12 years and adults: A maintenance dose of cod liver oil that
provides about 10,000 IU vitamin A daily, obtained from 2 teaspoons of regular cod
liver oil or 1 teaspoon of high-vitamin cod liver oil.
Pregnant and nursing women: A dose of cod liver oil that provides about 20,000 IU
vitamin A daily, obtained from 4 teaspoons regular cod liver oil or 2 teaspoons high-
vitamin cod liver oil.

Please note that these recommended doses are 2-5 times greater than the U.S. RDA for
children, 4 times greater than the U.S. RDA for adults and 8 times greater than the U.S.
RDA for pregnant women. The RDA values are based on studies conducted in the general
population, which is now recognized to be largely de cient in vitamin D. For a discussion of
studies showing that vitamin A consumption up to 30,000 IU per day by pregnant women
does not result in a greater risk of birth defects, see Vitamin A for fetal development
(http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/vitamin-a-for-fetal-development/). This article
also describes the vital role played by vitamin A in the development of the fetus. Pregnant
women may wish to consult their health practitioner about taking cod liver oil during
pregnancy. Individuals under stress or wishing to use cod liver oil to treat a disease
condition may take much larger doses, even up to doses providing 90,000 IU vitamin A per
day, for a period of several weeks.

Vitamin D Dosage

Our recommended brands of cod liver oil (see below) will provide with the above
recommended dosages for cod liver oil about 500-1000 IU vitamin D for children, 1000-
2000 IU vitamin D for adults, 2000-4000 IU vitamin D for pregnant and nursing women and
up to 9000-18,000 IU for those taking large amounts of cod liver oil to deal with stress and
disease. In 1997, the Food and Nutrition Board of the US Institute of Medicine set the
tolerable upper intake level (TUIL) for vitamin D at 2000 IU per day. However, the vitamin D
content experts on the Upper Limits Panel objected to this limit, and several prominent
vitamin D researchers have called for an upward revision of the limit. Experiments show

that even during the winter with a low vitamin D intake, humans will exhaust stores of
vitamin D at a rate of 3000-4000 IU per day, an amount that many people require to
maintain optimal levels of the vitamin in the blood. Extensive exposure to summer sun at
mid latitudes naturally produces levels of vitamin D in the blood equivalent to what is

https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/cod-liver-oil/cod-liver-oil-basics-and-recommendations/ 3/11
13/11/2019 Cod Liver Oil Basics and Recommendations - The Weston A. Price Foundation

yp q
attained by supplementing with a continued daily dose of 10,000 IU, suggesting humans
are designed to tolerate such large amounts of vitamin D.(4) If you are a lifeguard or spend
a lot of time in the sun, you do not need to take supplemental vitamin D; however you still
need to consume adequate vitamin A. Animal studies show that even moderate amounts
of vitamin D increase the body’s need for vitamin A, whether the vitamin D is provided in
the diet or by UV light (2,5). So, if you cut back or eliminate cod liver oil in the summer, be
sure to consume plenty of oily sh, liver, butterfat and egg yolks from grass-fed hens to
ensure adequate vitamin A. For a discussion of Vitamin D Toxicity, see
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/about-vitamin-d/am-i-getting-too-much-vitamin-d/
(http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/about-vitamin-d/am-i-getting-too-much-vitamin-d/) This
does not mean we do not recommend that some individuals have their vitamin D levels
tested. Such testing can be very useful in determining vitamin D status and the
e ectiveness of cod liver oil or vitamin D supplements. Optimal serum vitamin D levels
should be in the range of 30-50 ng/mL (see discussion at [link “Potential Dangers of
Vitamin D, page 24 of Spring 2009]).

Brand Recommendations – Updated 2019

Most brands of cod liver oil go through a process that removes all of the natural vitamins.
The resultant product contains very low levels of vitamin A and virtually no vitamin D.
Some manufacturers add manufactured vitamins A and D to the puri ed cod liver oil and
until recently, one manufacturer added the natural vitamins removed during processing
back into the cod liver oil. Fortunately, we now have available in the U.S. a naturally
produced, unheated, fermented high-vitamin cod liver oil that is made using a ltering
process that retains the natural vitamins. The high-vitamin fermented cod liver oil is sold
as a food so does not contain vitamin levels on the label. However, after numerous tests,
the approximate values of A and D have been ascertained at 1900 IU vitamin A per mL and
390 IU vitamin D per mL. Thus 1 teaspoon of high-vitamin fermented cod liver oil contains
9500 IU vitamin A and 1950 IU vitamin D, a ratio of about 5:1. Based on these values, the
dosage for the high-vitamin fermented cod liver oil is provided as follows:

Children age 3 months to 12 years: 1/2 teaspoon or 2.5 mL, providing 4650 IU
vitamin A and 975 IU vitamin D.

Children over 12 years and adults: 1 teaspoon or 10 capsules, providing 9500 IU

vitamin A and 1950 IU vitamin D.
Pregnant and nursing women: 2 teaspoons or 20 capsules, providing 19,000 IU
vitamin A and 3900 IU vitamin D.

https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/cod-liver-oil/cod-liver-oil-basics-and-recommendations/ 4/11
13/11/2019 Cod Liver Oil Basics and Recommendations - The Weston A. Price Foundation

Please note that the fermented cod liver oil contains many co-factors that may enhance
the body’s uptake and usage of vitamins A and D; in fact, many have reported results
equivalent to those obtained from high-vitamin cod liver oil with half the recommended
dose, that is ¼ teaspoon or 1.25 mL for children age 3 months to 12 years; ½ teaspoon or 5
capsules for children over 12 years and adults; and 1 teaspoon or 10 capsules for pregnant
and nursing women. As of 2019, we recommend the following brands of cod liver oil.
Sources of high-vitamin fermented cod liver oil and high-vitamin cod liver oil with natural
vitamins are in the BEST category; sources of processed cod liver oil with synthetic
vitamins in the right proportions (ten or fewer units vitamin A to one unit vitamin D, and
with at least 2,500 IU’s of vitamin A and 250 IU’s of vitamin D per teaspoon) are in the
GOOD category. We do not recommend brands of cod liver oil that have low levels of
vitamin A and/or low levels of vitamin D.

In the United States

BEST (Available Online/Mail Order):

Green Pasture Products: Blue Ice High-Vitamin Fermented Cod Liver Oil, (402) 858-
4818, greenpasture.org (http://greenpasture.org/)
Radiant Life: Blue Ice High-Vitamin Fermented Cod Liver Oil, (888) 593-8333,
http://www.radiantlifecatalog.com/ (http://www.radiantlifecatalog.com/)
See our list of local chapter leaders and members who sell fermented cod liver oil.
(http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/fermented-cod-liver-oil-available-from-
chapter-leaders-and-members/)
Dropi cod liver oil
NutraPro International virgin cod liver oil nutraprointl.com (http://nutraprointl.com)
Rosita Real Foods extra virgin cod liver oil www.corganic.com
(http://www.corganic.com)

GOOD (and available in Stores):

Engelvaer Cod Liver Oil 

Garden of Life Olde World Icelandic Cod Liver Oil 
NOW Foods double strength Cod Liver Oil capsules
Pharmax Cod Liver Oil
Sonne’s Cod Liver Oil

https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/cod-liver-oil/cod-liver-oil-basics-and-recommendations/ 5/11
13/11/2019 Cod Liver Oil Basics and Recommendations - The Weston A. Price Foundation

Swanson double strength Cod Liver Oil capsules

Twin Labs non-emulsi ed liquid Cod Liver Oil

In Europe

BEST:

Functional Self: functionalself.com (http://www.functionalself.com) carries Blue Ice

High-Vitamin Fermented Cod Liver Oil, Coconut Oil, High-Vitamin Butter Oil
Funky Raw (UK): http://www.funkyraw.com/shop/index.php?
main_page=index&cPath=33 (http://www.funkyraw.com/shop/index.php?
main_page=index&cPath=33)
Healthcloud (UK): http://www.store.thehealthcloud.co.uk/product-category/green-
pastures/ (http://www.store.thehealthcloud.co.uk/product-category/green-pastures/)
Red23: red23.co.uk (http://www.red23.co.uk/) carries Blue Ice High-Vitamin
Fermented Cod Liver Oil
Q Naturals Webstore – Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver and High-Vitamin Butter Oil
www.qnaturals.nl
Fermented Cod Liver Oil and High Vitamin Butter Oil:
http://www.seventhwaveuk.com/ (http://www.seventhwaveuk.com/)
Green Pasture Fermented Cod Liver Oil products:
http://www.jgsupplements.com/fermented-cod-liver-oil/
(http://www.jgsupplements.com/fermented-cod-liver-oil/)
Spain – Comida Real http://comidareal.es/51-aceite-de-higado-de-bacalao
(http://comidareal.es/51-aceite-de-higado-de-bacalao)
Ergomax – The Netherlands – Rosita Real Foods extra virgin cod liver oil
www.ergomax.nl (http://www.ergomax.nl)
Holomed Nederland – Green Pasture Products, www.holomed.nl
(http://www.holomed.nl), and for private consumers in Europe –
www.codliveroilshop.eu (http://www.codliveroilshop.eu), www.vitavie.nl
(http://www.vitavie.nl)
Croatia – Green Pasture FCLO and Rosita EVCLO – Zaslon d.o.o. www.svetahrana.eu
(http://www.svetahrana.eu)

Poland – www.realfoods.pl (http://www.realfoods.pl) – Rosita Real Foods Extra-Virgin

Cod Liver Oil
Germany – Rosita EVCLO – Nutradian https://nutradian.com/de
(https://nutradian.com/de)

https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/cod-liver-oil/cod-liver-oil-basics-and-recommendations/ 6/11
13/11/2019 Cod Liver Oil Basics and Recommendations - The Weston A. Price Foundation

GOOD:

Healthspan Ltd., 0800 73 123 77, healthspan.co.uk (http://www.healthspan.co.uk/)

Goldshield

In Russia

BEST:

Holomed Nederland – Green Pasture Products, www.holomed.nl

(http://www.holomed.nl)

In Australia

BEST:

Green Pasture Products www.gpawholefoods.com.au

(http://www.gpawholefoods.com.au) or email Katrina: sales@gpawholefoods.com.au
(mailto:sales@gpawholefoods.com.au) (02)9526-1783
Green Pasture Products: Blue Ice High-Vitamin Fermented Cod Liver Oil,
www.nourishingecology.com.au (http://www.nourishingecology.com.au/) or email
edie@nourishingecology.com.au (mailto:edie@nourishingecology.com.au)
Green Pasture Cod Liver Oil, butter oil and therapeutics. Order online at
www.codliveroil.net.au (http://www.codliveroil.net.au)

In New Zealand

BEST:

Nature Foods NZ, www.naturefoods.co.nz (http://www.naturefoods.co.nz) NutraPro

virgin Cod Liver Oil

Nature Foods NZ, www.naturefoods.co.nz (http://www.naturefoods.co.nz) Green

Pasture fermented Cod Liver Oil
Green Pasture Cod Liver Oil, butter oil and therapeutics. Order online at
www.codoil.co.nz (http://www.codoil.co.nz).

https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/cod-liver-oil/cod-liver-oil-basics-and-recommendations/ 7/11
13/11/2019 Cod Liver Oil Basics and Recommendations - The Weston A. Price Foundation

p
Green Pasture Cod Liver Oil in Christchurch – Carolyn-Rae: Be Alive – Thrive Limited,
32 Cheyenne St, Sockburn, Christchurch NZ. Ph: 03 967-1040  &   0272733187 E:
thrive@xnet.co.nz (mailto:thrive@xnet.co.nz), http://www.bealivethrive.nz
(http://www.bealivethrive.nz)

In Canada

BEST:

Be Naturally Prepared, http://www.benaturallyprepared.com

(http://www.benaturallyprepared.com), online shop from Oshawa, Ontario. Carry
FCLO, FSLO, BO, Blue Ice Royal BO / FCLO Blend and Infused Coconut Oil and can
order any Green Pasture product.
eatkamloops.org (http://eatkamloops.org), carries Green Pasture’s FCLO, FSLO, BO
and CO.
Family Herbal Clinic (AB) carries Blue Ice High-Vitamin Fermented Cod Liver Oil, (780)
419-2699, www.familyherbalclinic.com (http://www.familyherbalclinic.com/)
Mother Earth (ON) carries Blue Ice High-Vitamin Fermented Cod Liver Oil,
motherearthnaturalhealth.ca (http://www.motherearthnaturalhealth.ca)
St. Francis Herb Farm, Inc., 1-800-219-6226, www.stfrancisherbfarm.com
(http://www.stfrancisherbfarm.com/)

In Hong Kong

BEST:

Leung Chun Sun, tcleuncsc@yahoo.com.hk (mailto:tcleuncsc@yahoo.com.hk) carry

Blue Ice High-Vitamin Fermented Cod Liver Oil.
Green Pasture, Asia – also available in Singapore, Malaysia,
http://www.greenpasture.asia/ (http://www.greenpasture.asia/)

Updates and More Information

Please read the following updates on Cod Liver Oil, published in December 2008:

Update #1 (index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=171:2008-dec-clo-
update1&catid=37&Itemid=128)

https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/cod-liver-oil/cod-liver-oil-basics-and-recommendations/ 8/11
13/11/2019 Cod Liver Oil Basics and Recommendations - The Weston A. Price Foundation

p )
Update #2 (index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=170:2008-dec-clo-
update2&catid=37&Itemid=128)

Read more about Vitamin A and Vitamin D here:

Vitamin Primer (http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/abcs-of-

nutrition/vitamin-primer/)
Vitamin A Saga (http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/abcs-of-nutrition/vitamin-
a-saga/)
Vitamin A On Trial: Does Vitamin A Cause Osteoporosis?
(http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/abcs-of-nutrition/vitamin-a-on-trial-does-
vitamin-a-cause-osteoporosis/)
From Seafood to Sunshine: A New Understanding of Vitamin D Safety
(http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/abcs-of-nutrition/from-seafood-to-
sunshine-a-new-understanding-of-vitamin-d-safety/)

References

1. Myhre, et al., “Water-miscible, emulsi ed, and solid forms of retinol supplements are
more toxic than oil-based preparations,” Am J Clin Nutr, 78 (2003) 1152-9.
2. Aburto, et al., “The in uence of Vitamin A on the Utilization and Amelioration of
Toxicity of Cholecalciferol, 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol, and 1,25-
Dihydroxycholecalciferol in Young Broiler Chickens,” Poultry Science, 77 (1998) 570-
577.
3. Metz, et al., “The Interaction of Dietary Vitamin A and Vitamin D Related to Skeletal
Development in the Turkey Poult,” J. Nutr. 115 (1985) 929-935.
4. Heaney, Robert P., “The Vitamin D requirement in health and disease,” Journal of
Steroid Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, 97 (2005) 13-19.
5. Aburto and Britton, “E ects of Di erent Levels of Vitamins A and E on the Utilization
of Cholecalciferol by Broiler Chickens,” Poultry Science, 77 (1998) 570-577.
6. Masterjohn, Chris, “Dioxins in Animal Foods: A Case for Vegetarianism
(http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/dioxins-in-animal-foods-a-case-for-

vegetarianism/),” October 17, 2005.

Read this in:

Français (https://www.westonaprice.org/fr/health-topics/cod-liver-oil-intro-french-
t l ti /)

https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/cod-liver-oil/cod-liver-oil-basics-and-recommendations/ 9/11
13/11/2019 Cod Liver Oil Basics and Recommendations - The Weston A. Price Foundation

translation/)

About Sally Fallon and Mary G. Enig, PhD

Sally Fallon Morell is the founding president of the Weston A. Price Foundation and
founder of A Campaign for Real Milk. She is the author of the best-selling cookbook,
Nourishing Traditions (with Mary G. Enig, PhD) and the Nourishing Traditions Book of
Baby & Child Care (with Thomas S. Cowan, MD). She is also the author of Nourishing
Broth (with Kaayla T. Daniel, PhD, CCN).
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___

Mary G. Enig, PhD, FACN, CNS, is an expert of international renown in the eld of lipid
chemistry. She has headed a number of studies on the content and e ects of trans fatty
acids in America and Israel and has successfully challenged government assertions that
dietary animal fat causes cancer and heart disease. Recent scienti c and media
attention on the possible adverse health e ects of trans fatty acids has brought
increased attention to her work. She is a licensed nutritionist, certi ed by the
Certi cation Board for Nutrition Specialists; a quali ed expert witness; nutrition
consultant to individuals, industry and state and federal governments; contributing
editor to a number of scienti c publications; Fellow of the American College of
Nutrition; and President of the Maryland Nutritionists Association. She is the author of
over 60 technical papers and presentations, as well as a popular lecturer. She is the
author of Know Your Fats, a primer on the biochemistry of dietary fats as well as of Eat
Fat Lose Fat (Penguin, Hudson Street Press, 2004). She is the mother of three healthy
children.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed
(https://akismet.com/privacy/).

https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/cod-liver-oil/cod-liver-oil-basics-and-recommendations/ 10/11
13/11/2019 Cod Liver Oil Basics and Recommendations - The Weston A. Price Foundation

Copyright © 2019 Weston A. Price · Site by Site a la Carte (http://sitealacarte.com)

https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/cod-liver-oil/cod-liver-oil-basics-and-recommendations/ 11/11