I think because the taste was so awful years ago it became less popular. In recent years it has been processed better and even flavored. It is tasty enough for my kids to even like it.
Secondly, there has been a resurgence of interest in vitamin D. Everyone, including doctors are talking about it. Now, as you know I like natural things and one of the most natural ways to get vitamin D is in cod liver oil.
One big difference between fish oil and cod liver oil is the Vitamins A and D that naturally occur in the the Cod Liver Oil.
Vitamin D
The natural way you get it.
Sun & food –> Liver –> Active Vit. D hormone –> You get the health benefits
Vitamin D from the sun
The amount you get is proportional to the amount of skin you expose.
In the northern ½ of the US, during the winter, you will essentially get no vitamin D from the sun.
SPF 8 sunscreen reduces production of vitamin D in the skin by 98%.
The darker your skin the less vitamin D you make.
Cholesterol in the skin is made into vitamin D by the sun (UVB rays). I would be seriously concerned about the health damage from cholesterol lowering drugs. For example: Zocor interfers with and accelerates the destruction of skin cholesterol.
Skin conversion decreases as you age. For example a 70 year old makes 4x less vitamin D than a 20 year old.
As you age, vitamin D from your diet is more important.
Your skin only makes so much then it gets full and that area of skin quits making it.
Vitamin A
1. Improved hormone patterns in girls
2. Enhance immune function
3. Protect against cancer
4. Modulates inflammation
5. Vit. A&D decreased cell number of pancreatic cancer cell lines.
6. Protects against chemicals and pesticides (this is one of my favorites, everyone needs this)
7. Lack of Vit. A screws up the lining of the small intestine.
8. Improves iodine efficacy in kids. A healthy thyroid is critical for healthy nerve functions.
Plus... omega 3 fatty acids
The reality is that people are way out of balance. Don't believe me, we can test it for you. These handy little fatty acids decrease pain and inflammation. As a chiropractor, all of my patients like having less pain.
Like all supplements... Quality matters
Very few companies make a good cod liver oil, because it is so much work. Standard Process has built a reputation on quality. Most of you know this from years of taking their supplements.
This is a new offering from them. Those of you who used to order from me before, life just got way easier. They are offering a natural, unaltered cod liver with its God given amounts of vitamin A and D.
This new supplement from them is so special and important to all people it is now in my basics of life supplement package. It is normally $39 for 180 perles.
Yes, easy to swallow perles.
Don't order yet, since I put together a long awaited package for patients we are having a sale to promote it very soon. Just watch your email.