Page 28 - Summer 2019 Journal

1 Trans-2-alkanal
2. Trans, trans-alka-2,4-dienals
3. 4,5 exposy-trans-2-alkanals/acrelein 4. cis,trans-alk-2,4-dienals
5. n-alkanals
6. Low molecular weight n-alkanals
7. Unknown
Condition C: After one week, in the light, at room temperature.
Condition D: After six weeks, in the dark, at room temperature.
Condition E: After six weeks, in the dark, refrigerated at 4°C.
Condition F: After six weeks, in the light, at room temperature.
The results are shown in Figure 2.
The testing indicated that all brands are safe on opening and at one week refrigerated if kept in the dark. One brand of extra virgin cod liver oil exhibited some instability at one week at room temperature, both in the light and in the dark. This may be due to high levels of alde- hydes in rosemary oil, added as an antioxidant.
The more toxic alpha,beta-unsaturated
aldehydes (Signals 1-4) appear at six weeks in both brands of extra vir- gin cod liver oil, under all conditions. The worst results appear in both brands of extra virgin cod liver oil at six weeks kept in the light at room temperature.
The less toxic saturated aldehydes (Signals 5, 6, and 7) appear in both brands of extra virgin cod liver oil and both brands of fermented cod liver oil at six weeks kept in the light at room temperature.
In conclusion, all brands of natural cod liver oil are safe on opening and at one week, under various conditions. However, at six weeks, the extra virgin brands of cod liver oil show the presence of toxic unsaturated aldehydes, especially if exposed to light.
Clearly, all types of cod liver oil should be sold in dark bottles and kept in the refrigerator or a dark cupboard. Extra-virgin cod liver oil should be kept in the refrigerator and consumed as soon as possible after opening. Fermented and virgin cod liver oil kept in the dark appear stable at room temperature, even six weeks after opening.
Sally Fallon Morell is the author of the cookbook Nourishing Traditions (1996) and many other titles, including her latest book Nourishing Diets (2017). She is founding president of the Weston A. Price Foundation. Fallon Morell has no financial interest in any company producing cod liver oil.
Wise Traditions SUMMER 2019
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