13/11/2019 Cod Liver Oil FAQs - The Weston A.

Price Foundation

The Weston A. Price Foundation

Cod Liver Oil FAQs

DECEMBER 18, 2018 BY THE WESTON A PRICE FOUNDATION
(HTTPS://WWW.WESTONAPRICE.ORG/AUTHOR/WAPFADMIN2/)

Q. I have a question regarding your recommendation about consuming cod liver oil
for omega oils and DHA. I currently take an oil, which isn’t cod liver but oil from the
algae, which is how the cod gets the DHA. I would like to know whether it is true
that cod gets the omega-3s from the algae and therefore consuming the algae itself
is as bene cial as cod liver oil? Would you have any information on this or know
where I can get more information, as I would like to give my baby the right oil.

A. We do NOT recommend the oil from algae–this is very bad for babies. And besides, it
does not contain vitamins A and D, which is the reason you are giving cod liver oil to
babies. Use one of the recommend brands in our Shopping Guide

Q. In the letter sections of Wise Traditions Vo17 No.1 on p.4. One letter references a
remedy for warts: vitamin E, vitamin A and vitamin C. I took the recommended
amounts for four weeks with no results. I used Dr. Mercola’s vitamin E, Organic India
food-based vitamin C and Klaire Lab micellized VitaminA.

Does anyone know why it did not work? Could perhaps a better form or brand of
Vitamin A be needed? If so, any suggestions? Any help would be appreciated. I have
been seeing a holistic doctor to treat the planter’s wart since June of this year with it
still hanging in there.

A. I would use cod liver oil for your vitamin A (which needs to be balanced with the vitamin
D) and eat plenty of butter for vitamin E. The Indian food-based vitamin C is probably OK.
In addition to taking cod liver oil internally, I would rub some on the wart.

Q. Is vitamin mk-7 supplement derived from natto a good vitamin K to combine with
cod liver oil? I’m asking because you write on the website that cod liver alone can be
dangerous, so will taking cod liver oil be safe if taken with vitamin mk-7 derived
from natto?

https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/cod-liver-oil-faqs/ 1/4
13/11/2019 Cod Liver Oil FAQs - The Weston A. Price Foundation

A. Yes, it is ne–but much more delicious to get your vitamin K from cheese, goose liver,
duck fat, eggs and butter!!

Q. If you suggest that synthetic vitamins are bad to consume, why do you
recommend cod liver oils which contain synthetic vitamins A and D in the good
category of the shopping guide? Is vitamin D3 synthetic?

A. The Good category of cod liver oil products is de nitely a compromise–much better to
use those in the Best category, but these are not available everywhere. Yes, added vitamin
D3 is synthetic.

Q. I was told that Menhaden Fish is the best sh that has EPA DHA and DPA.
Where can I buy this sh and is it the best source of these nutrients?

A. All seafood is a good source of EPA and DHA. We recommend cod liver oil as the best
source. EPA and DHA need to be balanced with AA, found in animal fats.

Q. Years ago I was given a prescription to raise my Vitamin D. I was told it could take
many months to build up in my system to optimal levels. Since then I stopped
supplementing. My vitamin D levels have dropped again. If I opt to take cod liver oil,
approximately how long would it take for my vitamin D levels to be raised to the
optimal level?

A. Cod liver oil is de nitely better than taking vitamin D. See

https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/abcs-of-nutrition/vitamin-d-supplementation-
panacea-potential-problem/ on optimal levels of vitamin D and how to supplement. No
one could really say how long it would take you.

Q. I read the “Cod Liver Oil Basics and Recommendations” and would like to ask
which of the recommended brands has got proof (and regular tests) that their oil is
not toxic (does not contain metals etc.).

A. WAPF has tested for stability (fermented clo was the most stable) but not for metals,
pcbs, etc. You need to ask the manufacturer for these test results. I know that Green
Pasture tests regularly and their oil is very clean–they have a patented lter process they
use.

https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/cod-liver-oil-faqs/ 2/4
13/11/2019 Cod Liver Oil FAQs - The Weston A. Price Foundation

Q. I recently began taking cod liver oil (from green pasture) 1 month ago. There are
times when I notice some interesting e ects immediately after taking a dose (no
more than 2 ml). One of the main symptoms I have is cold hands/reduced blood ow.
Over the next few hours, my energy levels will drop and digestion seems impaired.
Have your received similar feedback and do you have any advice to combat these
symptoms?

A. This is interesting; we have never heard this before. But it could be because you are very
sensitive to omega-3 fatty acids (which can cause digestive problems). Be sure you are
balancing the cod liver oil with enough animal fats containing arachidonic acid (AA), such
as butter.

Q. Today, Dr. Mercola published this on Cod Liver Oil:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/03/16/warning-new-proof-
con rms-if-you-take-this-supplement-vitamin-d-will-not-work-as-well.aspx
(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/03/16/warning-new-proof-
con rms-if-you-take-this-supplement-vitamin-d-will-not-work-as-well.aspx)

Please set me straight. Is his article citing research that could be newer than that
published in your book, Nourishing Fats? Should I stop taking Cod Liver Oil? I am
very interested in listening to your wisdom

A. I have sent this on to Chris Masterjohn for comment but on the surface it is ridiculous.
We get A and D together in food all the time. The research indicates that we need to get A
and D together for both A and D to work. I am sure this is coming from the vitamin D
supplement people, who are getting burned by the problems people are encountering
when they take too much D. Keep taking your cod liver oil!!

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-faqs/ 3/4
13/11/2019 Cod Liver Oil FAQs - 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-faqs/ 4/4