Fermented cod liver oil baby: How to Give It and Why You’d Want To

How to Give It and Why You’d Want To

Getting kids to take cod liver oil is Tough. Find out why it’s such a valuable supplement, which cod liver oil is the best and how I get my kid to take it.

While I don’t advocate supplements for kids, there is one exception: Cod liver oil.

Cod liver oil has been used for hundreds of years. It used to be a staple in American households in the 1920-1950s because it helped reduce colds, flus, asthma, and even treated rickets! My grandmother swore by it. Mike’s grandmother, who just turned 94 this week, takes only one supplement or medication each day and, you guessed it, it’s cod liver oil.

Cod liver oil is great for everyone, including kids! But getting kids to take it can be… challenging to say the least.

Cod Liver Oil Benefits

I believe its greatest benefit is the high levels of fat soluble vitamins A, D and K. These are super important for a child’s immune systems and overall vitality. It’s also been found that fat soluble vitamins help us absorb the minerals from our diet more effectively. Weston A. Price, a dentist in the 1900’s that traveled the world to study nutrition, found that the cultures with the highest longevity rates consumed 10 times the amount of vitamin A compared with the diet of his time (and that’s when people were still eating cod liver oil, beef liver and raw whole milk!)

Cod liver oil also contains omega 3’s and fatty acids like EPA and DHA. These are essential for a child’s brain development, intelligence, and vision.

The Best Cod Liver Oil

You want to be sure you purchase the highest quality of cod liver oil since most store bought brands use chemical solvents to extract the oil and they tamper with the vitamin A content for fear of toxicity.

So, some good brands to try that are truly pure include:

Excellent brands:

Rosita’s Raw Cod Liver Oil: Available for purchase here.

Standard Process Cod Liver Oil capsules: My kids just chew them or you can cut open and mix with OJ. Available for purchase here.

Good brands:

Swanson’s Double Strength Cod Liver Oil capsules: Available for purchase here.

Please note: I no longer recommend Green Pastures Fermented Cod Liver oil based on some testing that shows it being rancid.

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How to Feed Cod Liver Oil to Kids

Let’s face it, cod liver oil doesn’t taste like honey. It’s a challenge to get this straight up in your child’s mouth. So, here’s how I get my 2.5 year old son Griffin to not only put it down, but to love it!

• Get a little ramekin. Put an ounce or so of fresh orange juice in the ramekin. It’s important to put the juice in first as the cod liver oil will otherwise stick to the bottom.
• Add your cod liver oil.
• Take a little syringe and administer this way. Griffin loves it and even likes pushing the  juice mixture into his mouth himself.

Cod Liver Oil Dosages for Kids

A conservative dosage recommendation would include:

• Children age 3 months to 12 years: A dose of that provides about 2,500 IU vitamin A, a few times per week.
• Children over 12 years and adults: A maintenance dose that provides about 5,000 IU vitamin A, a few times per week.
• Pregnant and nursing women: A dose that provides about 10,000 IU vitamin A, a few times per week. Always talk to doctor or midwife before taking any supplement.

Concerned about intake? Here’s information about Vitamin A toxicity, as well as Vitamin A for fetal development.

How about you?

Do you take cod liver oil? Do you give it to your kids? Share with us in comments below and thanks for tuning in!

 

Benefits, Risks & How To Choose the Best One

When my firstborn was a wee squishy baby, my Facebook feed was filled with photos of toddlers (and older kids) having hilarious reactions to their first taste of cod liver oil. It was considered the original superfood by the mamas in my community,  and “the more the better” was our motto.

Things have changed, though, both when it comes to questions parents grapple with when posting photos of kids online and the thinking regarding cod liver oil.

We now know that it’s possible to get too much of a good thing, and there are factors to consider when deciding whether to even take it at all. Before we get into those details, though, there are some basics we need to cover.

The Difference Between Cod Liver Oil & Fish Oil

Fish oil is extracted from the tissue of oily fish like herring, tuna, anchovies, and mackerel, and cod liver oil is extracted from exactly what you would expect . . . cod livers.

Both types of oil contain docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), but only one is rich the active forms of vitamin A and vitamin D. That may seem like a small difference, but it’s actually huge.

To understand why, let’s say you picked up a copy of 500 Things You Should Know: Instructions for Life From the Everyday to the Exotic, then left it on your nightstand unread. It hasn’t done you much good yet, has it?

Our DNA is the same way. We all have inner blueprints (or books) full of wisdom about how to function optimally, but our bodies don’t “read” them without certain signals. Bioavailable forms of vitamin A and D, which are relatively difficult to obtain in the diet, are precursors to hormones that regulate gene expression. (1)(2)

In other words, they help our bodies access the amazing libraries of information found within our DNA to optimize biological performance (also called genetic potential).

It’s pretty well-known that vitamin D influences over 2,000 genes, but what many people don’t realize is that vitamin A and D are an inseparable team. They’re so crucial to our health that receptors for both are found in every single cell.

In addition to their separate receptors (RAR for vitamin A and VDR for vitamin D), they share a receptor called RXR that allows them to “cross-talk.” (3)

This “conversation” is crucial for health, and unfortunately consuming large amounts of one can cause it to drown out the other, thus causing a functional deficiency. That’s one of the reasons cod liver oil, which is rich in both, has been so highly valued in traditional cultures.

Benefits of Vitamin A

Vitamin A has a profound influence on over 600 genes, including those that affect a child’s:

• Eyesight
• Growth and development
• Immune function
• Inflammation levels
• Skin health
• Tissue and bone repair

Also, parents who have picky eaters, are working to heal leaky gut, or just want to support gut health should know that “Vitamin A has profound effects on the gut mucosal immune system and can calm potent inflammatory molecules.” (4)

According to Michael Ash, D.O. N.D. F.Dip, it may even be “the key to a tolerant immune system,” that impacts “our ability to consume a wide range of antigens (food) and yet not react adversely.” (4) Pretty amazing, right?

Contrary To Popular Belief, Beta Carotene Is Not Vitamin A

As I mention in this article on eating healthy during pregnancy, nutrition labels often say that a food has “X” amount of Vitamin A, but what they really mean is that it contains carotenoids such as beta-carotene.

Unfortunately beta-carotene is not biologically active, and therefore not the same as the bioavailable form of Vitamin A (retinol) found in animal products. Most of us do not possess enough of the enzyme needed to efficiently convert beta-carotene into bioavailable Vitamin A – in fact, this study found that only about 3% is converted, and about 45% of adults can’t make the conversion at all. (5, 6)

True bioavailable Vitamin A is found only in animal products such as liver (or liver capsules if you can’t stomach liver), pastured butter, milk, animal fats such as lard and tallow, and cod liver oil.

Risks of Synthetic Vitamin A

When shopping for cod liver oil, it’s important to be aware that almost all brands on the market use a process that removes naturally occurring vitamins and replaces them with synthetic ones, which the body doesn’t always recognize or know what to do with.

Synthetic Vitamin A in particular is of concern because of its relative toxicity. You will often find warnings associated with vitamin A consumption, citing its toxicity and risk of birth defects if taken in excess. This is a legitimate concern for all forms of synthetic vitamin A including supplements and fortified foods, but consuming moderate amounts of real food where it occurs naturally is not a problem as long as vitamin D intake is also optimized. Chris Kresser, LAc explains why here.

Benefits of Vitamin D

Often called “The Sunshine Vitamin,” Vitamin D is known as the champion of strong bones and teeth. However, it also plays a crucial role in:

• Regulating growth
• Immune regulation
• Mood
• Cardiovascular health
• Blood sugar balance
• Hormone balance

Unfortunately, a study published in 2009 found that 70% of children in the United States have insufficient levels, which increases their risk of developing food and environmental allergies, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. (7) (8) Vitamin D levels have been trending downward for a while, so it’s possible that vitamin D insufficiency is even more widespread now.

There are a few good food sources of vitamin D, including cod liver oil, fatty fish, caviar, pastured butter, and eggs. However, according to MIT Senior Research Scientist Dr. Stephanie Seneff, oral vitamin D cannot fully replace sunshine, and kids (and adults) also need healthy sun exposure to optimize levels.

Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids (And Why More Is Not Necessarily Better)

Fat fuels the 100 billion neurons that make up our brains. It even makes up 60% of the brains overall structure. There’s no question that omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), have profound benefits for children.

According to this study, “fatty acids are among the most crucial molecules that determine your brain’s integrity and ability to perform.” Getting enough of the right fats during childhood has a huge impact on:

• Intelligence
• Eyesight (DHA is astructural component of the retina)
• Development of executive brain functions like focus and attention, planning and problem solving
• Social and emotional development (9)

Also:

Beyond their important role in building the brain structure, EFAs [essential fatty acids], as messengers, are involved in the synthesis and functions of brain neurotransmitters, and in the molecules of the immune system” (10)

While DHA can be created from plant-derived α-linolenic acid (ALA) within the body, most of us have inadequate levels of the enzymes needed to make the conversion. For that reason, consuming preformed DHA is considered the optimal way to ensure children are getting enough of this brain-building fat.

The best sources of preformed DHA are fatty fish (especially salmon, mackerel, sardines, and herring), caviar, and cod liver oil. Eggs also contain a small amount of DHA.

Why More Cod Liver Oil Is Not Necessarily Better

Something to keep in mind, though, is that the more unsaturated a fat is, the more vulnerable it is to oxidation. The long-chain, omega-3 fats found in fish oil are the most unsaturated form of fat, and therefore the most susceptible to becoming oxidized (rancid).

Unfortunately, with just a few exceptions fish oil supplements are purified using extraction processes that can damage these lipids, causing fish oil to become pro-inflammatory instead of anti-inflammatory.

Oxidized lipids have been linked to a number of health issues, including organ toxicity and accelerated atherosclerosis—the exact opposite outcomes usually desired by those who supplement with fish oil. ” (11)

This may be why studies about the health benefits of fish oil (and sometimes specifically cod liver oil) are mixed, with some showing positive effects and others showing negative effects. Other reasons could include:

• The use of synthetic vitamins A and D in fish oil (discussed above)
• The use of high doses (more on that below)
• Bio-individuality (some people may benefit from it, while others may not)

Regarding dosage, it’s often assumed that more of a good thing is always better, but that doesn’t appear to be the case with cod liver oil. Excessive intake may expose us to more polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA’s) than are optimal, thus working against us instead of for us.

To minimize PUFA exposure while still getting adequate brain-building nutrients, it’s important to look for an oil that is pure, minimally processed (so that the lipids are intact), and contains a significant amount of DHA in a relatively small dose. The cod liver oil that I buy has an estimated 600-700 mg of DHA per teaspoon, which is good in my opinion. (The vitamin content varies some because the nutrients are naturally occurring.)

Is fermented cod liver oil healthy?

In recent years there has been a lot of controversy surrounding Green Pastures Fermented Cod Liver Oil (FCLO). Some have claimed that it is rancid, while others say it isn’t. After reading all the available information on both sides, I cannot say with confidence that I know for certain that it’s safe.

For that reason, I choose to err on the side of caution and do not recommend it at this time.

So, should kids take cod liver oil?

Like most things, there isn’t a one-size-fits all answer. The needs of a child who lives in subtropical or tropical area where they can play outside all year will be different from the needs of a child who lives above the 37 degree latitude line, where it is only possible to manufacture vitamin D from sun exposure in the summer months. For the child who only has summer to generate vitamin D through the skin, supplementation during the fall/winter may be beneficial.

Diet is another consideration. Ideally, a child would be eating clean, purity-tested fish/seafood (especially cold-water fatty fish) a few times a week for DHA, EPA and vitamin D, as well as liver and organ meats for vitamin A. If that’s the case, supplementation may not be beneficial.

On the other hand, if fish and liver (or liver capsules) aren’t consumed regularly, then a cod liver oil rich in DHA and the active forms of vitamins A and D is likely to be beneficial.

As Chris Masterjohn, who has researched considerably on this subject, puts it:

It is easier to add cod liver oil to an imperfect diet than to perfect the diet, and for many people the most balanced approach to obtain all of these nutrients will be to consume a small amount of cod liver oil while also trying to hit the other dietary bases more often than not, allowing the cod liver oil to relieve the need for dietary perfection.” (12)

Chris Kresser, LAc recommends a maximum of 1 teaspoon a day for adults. Because I live in an area with year-round sunshine and access to fatty fish / pastured liver I’m not currently giving my kids cod liver oil, but if I did I would give them 1/4 to 1/3 teaspoon based on their age/body weight compared to an average adult.

For the past several years I’ve used and recommended Rosita cod liver oil. Although we don’t use it daily right now because we now live in a sunny area, I keep some in the freezer to use during illness or for other reasons that might come up. Here’s why they’re my top choice:

• They use an ancient extraction process that doesn’t use heat. (Remember, heat is part of what contributes to lipid oxidation, aka rancidity.)
• The oil is then filtered using paper (not heat or chemicals) to remove contaminants and then tested to ensure purity.
• Unlike most other oils that add synthetic vitamins, nothing is added except for one drop of naturally derived vitamin E and rosemary oil per bottle to maintain freshness.
• It contains a good amount of DHA and EPA per dose.

If you want to try it out, you can find Rosita cod liver oil here.

Have a question about cod liver oil? Please leave it in the comments below!

This article was medically reviewed by Madiha Saeed, MD, a board certified family physician. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

Article Sources:

1. Bikle, Daniel (2017) Vitamin D: Production, Metabolism, and Mechanisms of Action. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278935/

2. McGrane, Mary (2007) Vitamin A regulation of gene expression: molecular mechanism of a prototype gene. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955286306002658

3. Levine, Stephen (2010) Why Vitamin D is Not Enough. Retrieved from https://www.allergyresearchgroup.com/ARGFocus_201008_VitaminsDAK_web.pdf

4. Ash, Michael (2010) Vitamin A: The Key to a Tolerant Immune System? Retrieved from https://www. allergyresearchgroup.com/ARGFocus_201008_VitaminsDAK_web.pdf

5. Kresser, Chris. Why you can’t get vitamin A from eating vegetables. Retrieved from http://healthybabycode.com/why-you-cant-get-vitamin-a-from-eating-vegetables

6. Hickenbottom, Sabrina et. al. (2002) Variability in conversion of β-carotene to vitamin A in men as measured by using a double-tracer study design. Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/75/5/900/4689405

7. Kumar, Juhi et. al. (2009) Prevalence and Associations of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Deficiency in US Children: NHANES 2001–2004. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3749840/

8. Albert Einstein College of Medicine (2011) Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Allergies in Kids. Retrieved from http://www.einstein.yu.edu/news/releases/623/low-vitamin-d-levels-linked-to-allergies-in-kids/

9. Castle, Jill (2016) DHA Benefits: How DHA Helps Your Child’s Brain. Retrieved from https://jillcastle.com/childhood-nutrition/dha-benefits-brain/

10. Chang, CY et. al. (2009) Essential fatty acids and human brain. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20329590

11. Kresser, Chris (2019) Should You Really Be Taking Fish Oil? Retrieved from https://chriskresser.com/should-you-really-be-taking-fish-oil/

12. Masterjohn, Chris (2015) Weighing in on the Fermented Cod Liver Oil (FCLO) Controversy. Retrieved from https://chrismasterjohnphd.com/blog/2015/08/29/weighing-in-on-fermented-cod-liver-oi/

13. Harvard Medical School (2008) Time for more vitamin D. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/time-for-more-vitamin-d

BIOPHARMA Norwegian liquid fish oil for children fruit flavor 250 ml (NorskBarneTran )

Brand:

BIOPHARMA

Manufacturer:

Pharmatech AS, Norway

barcode: Vitamin A

Vitamin D 7 docosahexaenoic acid

omega 3

fish oil

fish oil

eicosapentaenoic acid

Suitable for:

Volume:

• 250 ml

900 02 Country:

Product type:

Efficacy:

• Combats ADHD
• Restores vision
• Child growth and development

9001 7 Strengthening the immune system

• Improves brain function
• Participates in the production of serotonin
• Forms the bone skeleton

Recommended daily dose:

5 ml

Omega-3 PUFAs:

1100 mg

DHA

:

600mg

EPA

:

400 mg

Vitamin A:

250 mcg

Vitamin D:

10 mcg

Vitamin E:

90 004 6 mg

Content per daily dose

Omega-3 fatty acids 1100 mg
Of which:
DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) 600 mg
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) 400 mg
Vitamin A250 mcg
Vitamin E6 mg
Vitamin D20 mcg

Understanding the importance of essential fatty acids for the child’s body, we have developed Biopharma Norsk BarneTran. This product contains high quality Norwegian fish oil for children and vitamins E, A and D. Buy fish oil for your child to ensure a deficiency of DHA, which is important for the proper development of the child’s body.

The benefits of fish oil for children
When a child begins to develop outside the mother’s body, the need for PUFAs and vitamins increases. What is the benefit of fish oil for children?

Omega-3 is responsible for the full development of brain neurons, strengthening interneuronal connections. As a result, the risk of severe diseases of the nervous system is minimized.
PUFAs provide a normal response to external stimuli, suppress aggression and hyperactivity.
Fish oil for children makes the body resistant to stress.
Omega-3 and vitamin D normalize the level of phosphorus and calcium in the body. Thanks to this, the skeleton becomes stronger.
The PUFA complex increases the activity of cells of the immune system, normalizes the production of antibodies, as a result of which the fight against antigens becomes more effective.
Fatty acids are the basis for hormones. A sufficient amount of PUFAs in the body optimizes the regulatory function of the glands of the endocrine system.
Fish oil for children has a positive effect on epithelial tissue. The skin becomes more elastic, the hair becomes softer, the nails become stronger.
Benefits of Biopharma Norsk Barne Tran
The quality of Biopharma Norsk Barne Tran components is monitored by specialists from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. The drug has successfully passed research laboratories in Russia and received a certificate.

Children’s Fish Oil is made from the liver of wild Norwegian cod and undergoes a high-tech process to remove environmental toxins at the molecular level.

We have also taken care of the convenience of reception. Children’s fish oil is made in the form of a thick syrup with fruit flavor, which makes the use as comfortable as possible.

How to take
Adults and children are advised to take one teaspoon (5 ml) daily with food.