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The cod liver oil is back and here to stay!
Cod liver oil is rich in nutrients that is not commonly standard in the modern diets. Cod liver oil is so nutrient dense it is praised by functional pracitioners and health care professionals for pregnant mothers, breastfeeding mothers, TTC couples, illness recovery, and growing children.
For years the baby boomer’s have whined and cried about their memories of their momma’s forcing cod liver oil down their throats. I know some can still taste the fishiness on their palate after their grandmama gave them a look. But it’s for good reason.
Why Was Cod Liver Oil Historically Used for Rickets and Vitamin D Deficiency in the Black Community
It was the Black population who became the first test subjects by scientists to study whether or not CLO was effective for rickets. Back in the early 1900s, many populations were battling vitamin D deficiencies. The number #1 remedy back in the day was a heaping spoon of cod liver oil. Sometimes with a splash of lemon or orange juice on the side to make the fishy taste more palatable.
It was 2 pediatricians named Alfred Hess and Lester Unger who reported roughly 90% of Black patients they examined showed signs of the disease.
It made sense considering our natural environment are tropical with fish diets from living coastal. The NYC Black population during the 20th century were the main population to use CLO due to the lack of sun and vitamin D rich foods. The Black populations in the South had less incidences of this.
It was particularly given to younger Black children with rickets. The other ways CLO was used for:
- Weak or deformed bones
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Child growth + bone development
- Tuberculosis and other chronic respiratory illnesses
- Malnutrition and recovering patients
Perfectly Blended Ratio of Preformed Vitamin A + Vitamin D
Real cod liver oil has a substantial amount of naturally occurring vitamin A. The beauty of raw CLO is the presence of different types of vitamin A; retinol and retinyl esters.
Bioavailable forms of retinol is required for maintaining our epithelial tissues. This is how our body’s recover from infections in the respiratory and G.I tracts.
Vitamin A goes beyond repairing tissues. It plays a strong role in managing vitamin D. Without vitamin A, vitamin D cannot carry out all of its functions properly. The best way to take vitamin A is within in a food matrix.
Over half of the Black population are not making or retaining vitamin D. Depending on the brand, the naturally occurring vitamin works with vitamin A for proper gene expression, thyroid function, immune health, fertility, and child development. There’s just so much these 2 do together rather than isolating either one.
Anti-inflammation in a Bottle Natural Source of omega 3s— Inflammation
Cod liver oil is a natural source of omega 3s. Particularly in EPA and DHA. Omega 3 EPA are precursors for resolving inflammation responses within the body by promoting homeostatsis. We need a balance though. DHA is more structural. It becomes part of cell membranes within the brain, retina, heart, and nervous system.
Together they provide extensive benefits. And its all within cod liver oil.
Disclaimer: The amount of omega’s is going to be depend on the brand. Then it depends in nature based on the time the fish are harvested for liver oil. Triple ask your source how they know for sure how much omega’s are present. Brands like Rosita, will ensure the member understands the levels vary.
Conclusion
I’ve been taking cod liver oil since I was pregnant 5 years ago. It was one of my main supplements to ensure my child had got what she needed for her developing body. CLO is given around the cloudy days and seasons when there isn’t enough sun. We use it routinely starting in fall through winter. Over the years I had done the research to find more intentional brands after noticing the studies of side effects coming from fish oils on the market.
Basically the bigger the company, the more we are at risk of ingesting oxidized cod liver oil. And that can do more harm than good.
My go to brand is Rosita. Use my coder to get 10% OFF on your first order. To read more about Rosita, read Why We Stick With Rosita in This Household.
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