My family has been taking Fermented Cod Liver Oil for the past year – in fact, it’s one of the most important supplements that we give ourselves and our kids.
If you want my complete honesty, it’s the ONLY ‘regular’ supplement we give our kids – daily.
Combined with a real food diet, it helps give my kids all of the important minerals that their body needs along with Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids that help keep their body health and strengthen their immune system.
Our kids don’t get sick often at all, but when they do, it’s brief – their immune system is rather strong so it plows right through the cough and cold that most other people have and carry for weeks …and within a day or two they are back to their normal selves.
Thank goodness for that, because nobody likes having sick kiddos.
What is Fermented Cod Liver Oil?
Fermented Cod Liver Oil is the result of fermenting cod livers – fermenting allows the fat soluble vitamins and beneficial oils to separate from the cod liver without damaging the fat soluble vitamins.
Fermentation allows the cod liver oil to maintain its high Omega 3, vitamin D & vitamin A content – which in turn allows the cod liver oil to be more bioavailable to your body. Many other supplements that include vitamin D or vitamin A are heat processed which destroys valuable nutrients.
Cod Liver Oil has a variety of benefits – here are just a few reasons to look at using it as a supplement for your own family:
Cod Liver Oil is a high source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids. These Omega-3 foods can help power the odds of developing heart disease, ADHD, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, cancer and more. While Omega 6 Fatty Acids are great, if they are consumed too much without Omega-3’s they can lead to inflammation, which is the root of many diseases. (source).. so having that balance in the form of Omega-3’s is wonderful.
High in Vitamin D. Vitamin D is something you can capture by spending time outside without sunscreen. It helps support healthy bones and cellular function. Your body needs vitamin D to replenish and multiply cells. A deficiency in Vitamin D can lead to autoimmune disease, illness, diabetes and cancer.
High in Vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for brain and bone health, and hormone production. Natural sources of vitamin D are shellfish, animal fats and fish liver. Eating vitamin A from vitamin A rich foods is needed to allow your body to have successful bone growth, oral health, and ovarian and testicular function.
Prevents Heart Disease. A diet that is high in liver oil in supplement or whole food form can help lower high triglycerides (a fat in your blood that raises your risk for heart problems). It also balances your cholesterol.
Supports healthy hormones and fertility. Fats are necessary for your pregnancy and to help you get pregnant – fats help your body produce estrogen and progesterone. The Vitamin A and D in Cod Liver Oil help your endocrine system do its job, and support the glands that control the release of sex hormones for reproduction. For men, the DHA in cod Liver oil helps with healthy sperm production.
Great for Arthritis Sufferers. Cod Liver Oil is a wonderful alternative natural treatment for arthritis. Regular use helps treat inflammatory conditions (pain, stiffness, and arthritis).
Supports those who are Diabetic. Cod Liver Oil helps control insulin and glucose (sugar) levels in the blood.
Supports healthy teeth. Cod Liver Oil is high in Vitamin A.It has the same amount of vitamin A as 5 quarts of milk, 9 eggs, or 1 pound of excellent butter. Note: the vitamin D in cod liver oil is also very important in preventing tooth decay. You can read more about that HERE.
Getting your Kids to Take FCLO
- My husband takes 1 teaspoon of the Fermented Cod Liver Oil
- I take 2 teaspoons of Fermented Cod Liver Oil since I am nursing.
- Kids 2 and under get 1/4 tsp each day.
- Kids 3 to 6 get 1/2 teaspoon per day.
- Kids 6 and up get 2/3 teaspoon per day.
Don’t have NingXia Red? You can also use a tiny bit of orange juice, cranberry juice, etc.
Make it a Contest: Kids love contests. Our kids love to compete, too – so every night, we gather the shot glasses together, pour in the “rounds” of NingXia Red and Cod Liver Oil and offer up $.50 – $1 for the first person to finish their shot. The dollar must go into their savings.. and it’s a cheap way to motivate them yet boost their bank account for making healthy choices.
Use a syringe: Green Pastures Fermented Cod Liver Oil comes with a syringe – use this syringe to add the FCLO to your juice. Or, allow your kids to drink it through the syringe – that means adding your FCLO to your juice, then sucking it up with the syringe and allowing your kids to push that liquid into their mouth “themselves”. This is a great way for the smaller kids – like my 3 year old.
In a bottle: If you are giving your infant Fermented Cod Liver Oil, it’s best to put a small amount in breast milk in a bottle for them to take – avoid using the flavored Fermented Cod Liver Oil and opt for the unflavored.
In a sippy cup: Add unflavored FCLO to your child’s milk in the sippy cup, or mix with a little juice. Since it’s an oil it will sit on the top – just shake it and give to them – and if they can’t drink it all in a sitting then pop in the fridge for later so they can finish at their leisure.
Spread on bread or toast: Fermented Cod Liver Oil is offered in an unflavored variety but also in Oslo Orange or Cinnamon Tingle. Spread it on toast or bread and eat for breakfast or lunch.
There are some concerns with Fermented Cod Liver Oil and its relation to Vitamin A toxicity – but you can read the concerns here to help you separate fact from fiction.
These are some great tips! Thanks