Page 20 - Summer2010

Update on Vitamins A and D

Vitamin D Experts Defend Cod Liver Oil

By Chris Masterjohn

n November of 2008, Dr. John Cannell of the Vitamin

D Council published a commentary in the journal
IAnnals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology attack-

ing cod liver oil because of its high vitamin A content,
claiming that vitamin A intakes above the most minimal

levels would increase mortality rates, increase vulnerabil-
ity to infections, cause osteoporosis, and antagonize the

beneficial effects of vitamin D. Sixteen scientists signed
on to the paper as co-authors. In response, Wise Traditions

published my article, “The Cod Liver Oil Debate,” in the
Spring, 2009 issue, which defended cod liver oil as an

important and balanced source of the fat-soluble vita-
mins and essential fatty acids. The following November,

I expanded on this article in my lecture, “Cod Liver Oil:
Our Number One Superfood,” at the Foundation’s annual

We’re not the only ones who responded!
conference.

20 Wise Traditions SUMMER 2010