Cod liver oil versus fish oil and/or krill oil

@nanajanet (4436)
United States
December 23, 2008 9:40am CST
I have been reading up on what is best and I take krill oil, as I feel it is better for us than cod liver oil and even fish oil. Krill oil is basically fish but higher in the good stuff (Omega 3, etc.). I have been reading recent studies that say that cod liver oil is too high in Vitamin A. Today's cod liver oil contains far less vitamin D than it used to, due to the deodorization process used today which removes much of Vitamin D. Vitamin A is not efficient without Vitamin D and the other way around, too, but if you overdose on Vitamin A or Vitamin D, it can actually kill you, so it is careful to monitor intake of supplements and best to get it where it comes naturally (Vitamin D is from the sun and many foods. Vitamin A from foods. From Mercola.com is says, [i]"Manufacturers are free to add or subtract as much vitamin A or D as they see fit. In fact cod liver oil was discovered in the sewers of England several hundred years ago by starving children who drank it and scientists noticed they did not get rickets. Cod liver oil is in fact a highly processed food that was never consumed by humans prior to this. Dr. John Cannell, head of the Vitamin D Council, along with 15 other researchers, recently released an article “Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin A Toxicity, Frequent Respiratory Infections, and the Vitamin D Deficiency Epidemic" in the November issue of Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology. In this paper Dr. Cannell raised questions about the efficacy of cod liver oil due to its highly variable and frequently excessive amount of vitamin A. Typically modern cod liver oil contains far less vitamin D than it used to, due to the deodorization process used today which removes much of this essential nutrient. Dr. Cannell and other prominent researchers believe the vitamin A contained in most cod liver oil is excessive, and can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin D by inhibiting the binding of its active form to your DNA, effectively preventing its ability to regulate the expression of your vitamin D-responsive genes. The Weston Price Foundation, of which I am an advisory member, holds a contradictory view. They believe vitamin D can only effectively target genes when its “partner receptor” is activated by vitamin A. If vitamin A is absent, certain molecules called co-repressors bind to the receptors and prevent vitamin D from functioning. It is their position that cod liver oil is still a highly recommended supplement. After reviewing the evidence, I am personally convinced that there is sufficient vitamin A in the current American diet to facilitate sufficient vitamin D activation. This does not appear to be the case in third world countries, where cod liver oil, or some other preformed retinol supplement, would still be useful.[/i]
5 responses
@DonnaLawson (4032)
• United States
24 Dec 08
My husband takes fish oil every day and has quit taking his cholesterol medication.. His cholesterol is very well under control now, it was a bit high but after taking the fish oil, it is now a very good number and the doctor told him he could quit the cholesterol medication.. The medications that he was taking for his cholesterol were causing him way too many problems so he had quit it even before the doctor told him to.. As a matter of fact, the medications were almost to the point of causing him to be an invalid, so he had to quit it the side effect were devastating for him..
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Dec 08
We will check into it but so far, so good with the fish oil.. Have a great Christmas, Donna
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
24 Dec 08
OMG!! I was having such problems with my cholesterol meds, too, and had to stop! I am so happy to hear how well he is doing! Have you looked into Krill Oil? I like it better than regular fish oil, but I do keep that around, in case I run out. I also take probiotics. I have noticed a big difference.
• United States
26 Dec 08
Interesting. The one thing to always think about when you read some of these reports... who conducted and more importantly, who paid for the report. With that being said, in my opinion, supplements are important for good health. It isn't always easy for everyone to maintain a healthy diet of all organic food. So quality supplements are important. The quality of the supplement is important because not all supps are created equal...though their labels would have you believe otherwise. As far as Vitamin D... what I was told along time ago and have read many times since, is that 20 minutes in the sun gives the body a sufficient amount of Vitamin D (Vitamin D from the sun is absorbed through the eyes, so you'll need to be w/o sunglasses) A healthy diet should provide sufficient amounts of Vitamin A (and also D), so the need for cod liver oil or fish oil should be determined by a physician (hopefully one that is open to natural cures & a healthy lifestyle over man-made meds) The info that is available is sometimes staggering and you always have to wonder where it is coming from and why. But it's great to see so many people researching info on living a healthier lifestyle and sharing the info with each other. Thanks for this info!
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
26 Dec 08
I agree that it is very important to find out more about the origin of the study as some companies can sway a study to make their product look good. When I read a study, I also search for other such studies that will give me a wider scope. I am not a huge sun glass wearer, only if the sun is directly in my eyes. We all know the best way to get our vitamins and minerals is naturally, but it is hard so supplements are the next best thing but not all are equal and it is important to research them, too.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
23 Dec 08
I read so much about supplements, vitamins, etc., that after awhile my head starts swimming. Wouldn't it be better to just eat a good, balanced diet of organic foods? Sometimes I think the more we know, the less we understand.
1 person likes this
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
24 Dec 08
I totally agree but I do not always get to eat the way I want, all of the time, so in those times, I feel that supplements at least help.
@elmiko (6630)
• United States
30 Dec 08
cod liver oil was discovered in the sewers in england where children drank it. thats hard to believe and disgusting and means its origins came from waste. i don't believe as why would it be on store selves. well yes they manufacture it a diffrent way certainly. i use to take cod liver oil daily but now i switched to fish oil.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
23 Dec 08
thank you. thats quite interesting. i never knew all that about cod liver oil. your a very health concious
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
23 Dec 08
whoah! i sent that before i was done. duh! health concious person i meant to say. also, now im going to look up krill