Have you ever heard of Cod Liver Oil?
I’ve been reading about it for the past 5 months or so and have been meaning to buy some to see if I liked it. Well, I finally got around to that last week and it just arrived the other day. I ordered it in a lovely lemon flavor, which reviews of it said completely mask any fishy taste.
I’ve been taking it once a day with a meal, and the taste is very neutral with a lemon essence. It probably smells more of lemon than it even tastes like lemon, and it doesn’t smell or taste the least bit fishy. No after taste either.
Cod liver oil is a great source of DHA and EPA Omega 3 Fatty Acids, which reduce internal inflammation, a leading cause of most chronic illnesses. For now I’m taking just the oil and not taking my usual fish oil pills, to see how I prefer the difference. Cod liver also contains high levels of vitamin D and vitamin A, which are two vitamins lacking in most modern diets, that were in much higher quantity in our ancestor’s diets.
Weston A. Price Foundation highly recommends supplementing with Cod Liver Oil along with high quality butter for vitamin K2. Kerry Gold is a good grass fed butter available in most grocery stores, and it tastes incredible with pretty much any meal you can think up. Eat more butter? Twist my arm.
Lots of people supplement with it for joint and arthritis pain. While I don’t have either, I think the benefits from the omega 3s and extra dose of vitamin A and D are highly beneficial for me, and I still feel great taking it so far. When it comes to supplementing, I try not to get carried away with trying this and that. I stick with about 2 supplements, typically omega 3 fish oil and vitamin D (as I tested deficient for that this past winter). I’m a firm believer that diet should take care of most of our needs, and I strive to achieve that with a well balanced, highly nutritious diet including liver, grass fed meat and some dairy, raw milk, lots of organic eggs, and plenty of produce.
You can read claims for and against just about every supplement out there, what it comes down to is making educated decisions and purchases, and seeing how you react and feel when you take them. Everyone has different needs, so its important to find what works for you as an individual.
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What supplements do you take if any? Have you heard of or do you take cod liver oil? Do you try to cover all basis with your diet first and foremost or do you believe supplementing is the best way to fill in the gaps?
Disclaimer: I purchased this with my own money and these thoughts are completely my own. Also, I am not a doctor and am not recommending anyone start supplementing with this before consulting with a doctor.
I have heard of “Hook [being] a cod fish!” from Peter Pan…but have not put much thought to there existing cod fish oil. And then there was that movie “Stand By Me” where the fat dude downs an entire bottle of caster oil before entering a pie eating contest. But that still was not cod fish oil
Because my eye doctor said I should take fish oil for eye health benefits, I do!
I used to have a spoonful of cod liver oil in a glass of cranberry juice every night before bed when I was little. My grandma is a firm believer in it’s healthy effects. I have never tried a flavor, though, which I may have to do, because the fish scent/flavor is a little too much for me sometimes!
Glad to find someone else out there that is taking it!
thats my favorite brand and only cod liver oil i’ve ever used!
oh glad you also use and like it. It was the most positively reviewed on amazon too so I figured it couldn’t be too bad.
Interesting! I’ve never heard of it!
I started taking the VERY same fish oil last week! I’m horrible with remembering to take my oils. Great with probiotics, multis, etc. But oil? Guh, I always forget! You’re right, the lemon flavor is by far the best. Way easier to handle than the straight-up cod liver oil my Mom used to give us as kids. Oh the fish burps?!
ohh that’s so funny! Yes I keep it front and center in my fridge so while I’m making breakfast I just grab it with everything else. Lots of people mentioning there parents also gave it to them as kids, guess its been around a lot longer than I thought!
I have never taken any supplements. I read about different supplements all the time and have even considered taking a few. Perhaps I should get a vitamin test and blood test to see if I am deficient in any one.
Yeah you can read and read about all the different ones out there but its tough to figure out what your body might actually be in need of, as opposed to what all the hype is about.
I have the same brand of cod liver oil, but I bought unflavored capsules and I always have a fishy tasting burp after I take one! I’m pretty low in Vitamin D, too, so I know that I should take them, but I just can’t get over the aftertaste. Maybe I’ll go for the lemon next time. I just feel like I need to use up what I already have first …
I still have capsules too but figured Ill save them for traveling.
I have never heard of cod liver oil, but I will check it out! I do take supplements! I try to get everything through my diet, but with the switch to paleo, I don’t think I have fully supplemented my body with everything it needs so I am taking supplements to fill in those gaps. I did a series of blood tests recently and worked with a nutritionist to determine the necessary supplements.
Girl I tried to take cod liver pills when I was pregnant. I bought really high-end ones, tried, twice. I burped up the taste for about 3 days. I shudder at the memories 6+ years later. NEVER again. Glad you are having luck though!
I’ve been taking carlsons lemon cod liver oil for about 5 years now…it is the best brand! best quality and I actually think it tastes good….sort of like melted lemon drops. My brother evens likes it and he is super super picky eater (so picky he doesn’t even like potatoes-what? who doesn’t like potatoes? i know). but… it is amazing stuff. so good for ya!
oh you take it too! Yeah lots of reviews said there kids would beg for the stuff so I figured it couldn’t be too bad. The texture is a bit… well oily but that’s to be expected.
Careful with too much heat processed fish oil.
Cold processed fermented cod liver oil is a lot more nutrient dense.
http://chriskresser.com/when-it-comes-to-fish-oil-more-is-not-better
I am terrible at taking supplements! I really just hate taking pills, though, so I do try to depend on my diet. I should probably get my levels checked (am I a car?) to see if I have any deficiencies though.
haha, gotta keep our engines running smoothly right.
Currently this is what my supp ‘routine’ looks like…
Almost daily and usually after eating, once a day: vitamin D (5000IUs), cod liver oil (pills for now), coq10 (along with CLO). Don’t presently take fish oil (looking for higher quality)
post workout: magnesium (400mg) then 200mg before bed, if you’re CFing you might wanna look into post workout mag for recovery. Chelated is the way to go! also it’s a lot less laxative that way… so yeah def go chelate. Also chelated zinc post workout. Whey protein (anywhere from 25 to 50g) and sometimes l-glutamine (1000mg)
All per Ido Portal’s writings. I admire the guy a lot, but I don’t go as crazy on supps as he does, but I have taken those that seem to make the biggest difference and I have noticed that they do help a lot.
dave from bulletproof exec recommends similar supplements, and even more… sounds a lot like ido portal (who I’m off to go look up right now as I’ve never heard of him or his blog). Thanks for sharing and for the recs, I’ll look into magnesium too, been hearing about it a good deal.
Ido is awesome but hasn’t updated is blog since 2010 I follow through his facebook. He’s been eating paleo for 15 years and has great bloodwork and is a world re known movement artist and coach. Just a very impressive individual with what he can do physically. Also has some pretty wise words, albeit rather harsh sometimes!
I’m also taking Carlson CLO but in gel cap form.
I take a “sweet lemon” Omega supplement, vitamin D, and vitamin B2, which I just started taking after reading an article from the Weston Price foundation. I JUST started taking the Omegas as I was training for my marathon. I’m not sure I’ve noticed a difference, but I’ll bet it’s working behind-the-scenes:)
Michelle and I take fermented Cold live oil. before we got into the fermented one we tool what you are taking. I remember liking it, and so far enjoying the fermented one too.
Glad you are liking it too.
I have not seen major improvements in my overall health with it though, but still feel it is a great thing to take, so I plan on keeping up with it.
It’s funny, after reading this post, I noticed an end-cap display of this same cod liver oil at my health food store, so I decided to buy the lemon flavored one with added D3 since I’m low in that. The lemon flavor is really pleasant. Not sure if I could handle straight up cod liver oil. Thanks for the post. Not sure I would’ve thought to try it otherwise.
hey glad you’re giving it a try, I definetely don’t think I’d like the regular oil either. Even with the lemon which is pleasant, the texture borderline grosses me out, but not too badly.
Blue Ice’s fermented cod liver oil is a better choice than Carlson’s, which has been stripped of much of its natural vitamin A and D. Blue Ice/Green Pasture is one of the only brands WAPF recommends and it is the only brand I will ever use.
Man, I just LOVE how you take care of your body through food! I’m intrigued by this, but all I take is multi vitamins. Also, I love fish and eat it about 2-3 times a week–hopefully this does my body some good?
btw, you and my mom would get along sooooooo well! lol. She’s all about ANY supplements that are great for the body.
This sounds so good. I would eat that for breakfast in a heartbeat!
That last comment from me was supposed to be about the coconut milk banana split…
haha yeah I don’t know if I’d down a bottle of cod liver oil for breakfast either
So… it’s been almost a month. Experience any noticeable health benefits?
I should probably do another update supplement post, thanks for the reminder. But yes I’m still taking the cod liver oil (instead of the fish oil pills) along with vitamin D. I feel as good as ever so no complaints… I’m also constantly tweaking how I eat (trying to cut back more on dairy to see if it helps with skin/ eczema) so its hard for me to tell what I can contribute to what. But yes I do feel good and plan to continue to take it!
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