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In this article, we look at Why Fish Oil is BAD for You. In addition to the dangers fish oils cause, we see that the scientific studies are inconclusive, at best, regarding the effectiveness of fish oils for improved health.
Instead, we understand that the best source of omega-3 fatty acids is a change in diet and often times fewer supplements.
Studies show only short term benefits from taking many supplements, but with long term use of fish oils especially, we see danger signs, heart and liver symptoms and even death.
My personal testimony? After switching away from fish oils and high doses of vitamins A and D, often pushed by the same doctors: Hashimoto’s in remission (off meds for years now!), histamine intolerance gone, depression gone, GI tract performing well (no more digestive aids needed!), sleeping well with zero sleep aids (including herbs) and more …
Why science doesn’t prove fish oils are good for you
Articles that seek to prove the healthfulness of a supplement, by linking to studies, oftentimes draw inaccurate conclusions. In fact, it’s easy to draw false conclusions from studies, and there are times when this false information is even financially motivated (such as the multi-billion dollar fish oil industry).
Doctors may innocently believe that fish oils are healthy, but that doesn’t mean they are correct.
As we’ll see below, studies are often performed with some level of nutritional ignorance, as surprising as this may seem. We’ll see one example below where control groups were fed oils like corn oil or mineral oil, which are highly inflammatory, so fish oil had a better outcome for patients. This, of course, does not prove that fish oil is good for us.
The logic behind avoiding fish oils
Anyone who eats a whole food diet can vouch for the oddity of removing an animal’s fat and eating extra of it for improved health.
This dietary concept of eating extra fat has been linked to certain indigenous cultures, but as more doctors are discovering in recent years, in part due to the rise of fatty liver and heart disease, those claims don’t hold up.
From cod liver oil to various fish oils
While countering the overeating of omega-6 rich foods with omega-3 oils may help some patients short term, by improving the ratio of good fats to bad fats (so to speak), there is no evidence that taking omega-3 fish oils is actually beneficial to the human body.
But, as we’ll explore more below, there is now evidence that this supplement can lead to serious heart and liver problems.
Re-interpreting the studies
Many doctors in the U.S. believe that taking fish oils may improve one’s health. Some have even created their own fish oil supplements and believe strongly in their anti-inflammatory properties.
Doctor #1
One example is Chris Kresser. He’s a functional medical doctor whose work I used to like, but I no longer believe he’s on the right track. I came across a video of him recently and took a screenshot of his face, because I was shocked by how much he’d aged just in the last few years. Ironically, the ad was for his new fish oil supplement! I include the screenshot photo so you can see. Just five years ago, he looked so much younger. (Notice not only the wrinkles, but the red face, tight, drawn lips and face and weight loss. To me, these are possible signs of liver toxicity.)
(Side note: I mean no disrespect to him personally, but I think it’s noteworthy for this discussion. Unfortunately, we do not know the true health of many health practitioners. But I have sometimes had access to this information and been surprised by the damage these gurus are doing to themselves and millions of others. Many leaders in their fields still have autoimmune flares and have not put their own autoimmunity into remission.)
Up until his creation of this new supplement, Dr. Kresser likely took his own advice, eating 12 to 16 ounces of oily fish a week, or supplementing with one teaspoon of Rosita’s (toxic) cod liver oil daily. (To explore the danger of taking cod liver oil specifically, I recommend this video.)
Interestingly, Chris Kresser has written extensively about certain dangers of fish oils, but he limits his observations, obviously — because now he’s out with his own version!
In what testing are pro-fish oil beliefs based?
Doctor #2
In 2021, a cardiologist examined this question and found that the studies performed to determine if fish oil was healthy were too dubious to ever recommend them again to any patient:
- In one study, two groups took oils: one group took fish oil and seemed to show better health than the placebo group, but it turned out that the second group was taking mineral/corn oil pills. Of course, we would expect fish oils to hurt the body less than an inflammatory vegetable oil that is man-made and toxic.
- Another study showed that fish oils are actually more likely to cause dangerous heart arrhythmias: “People receiving fish oil had a significantly greater risk of atrial fibrillation, which can lead to a higher risk of stroke.”
- A third study showed that lower doses of fish oil, while less likely to cause danger to the heart, still did nothing to prevent heart disease.
This doctor, realizing that fish oils can’t claim to “do no harm”, steered clear of recommending them. Instead he focused on diet, exercise and weight loss. His work led to a 40 percent lower LDL level on average for his patients.
More studies
The fish oil dose of 3 grams a day or higher seems to be particularly dangerous, as seen in several studies. But if 3 grams daily is dangerous, I’m sure I don’t want to take the recommended (by Chris Kresser) 1 gram daily.
While this study showed increased LDL levels and insulin resistance for those who took 3 grams daily, another study is much scarier and even more relevant:
The study reads, “Risk of cardiac death was higher among subjects advised to take oily fish than among those not so advised … and even greater for sudden cardiac death … The excess risk was largely located among the subgroup given fish oil capsules.”
Risk of heart disease and death increase with just the increased consumption of fatty fish, but even more so with fish oil supplementation!
As for me and my house, we will not be increasing our consumption of fatty fish or taking fish oil pills!
Why Fish Oil is BAD for You: Omega-3s and omega-6s
Generally, it is understood in the medical community that the human diet should have a good balance of essential fatty acids: anywhere from 1:1 to 4:1, omega-6 to omega-3 fats, depending on the study.
Too many omega-6 fatty acids cause inflammation. These fats fall under an umbrella term, PUFAs, or polyunsaturad fatty acids, that also includes omega-3s.
Sources of omega-6 fats include vegetable oils, processed foods, restaurant foods, mayonnaise, nuts and seeds and soy.
But, even fish oil is a polyunsaturated fat, an omega-3 PUFA.
Because the American diet already includes so many PUFAs, better sources of fat are monounsaturated fats (omega-9s [like from olive oil]) and limited saturated fats from pastured animals.
Fish oil pills are pushed specifically to lower triglycerides, as high triglycerides can be a marker for heart disease.
Stop taking omega-3 pills and change your diet
But, there’s a better way!
It’s not what most people want to hear, but it’s true: We need to decrease sources of omega-6 fats instead of adding omega-3 fish oils to a diet already high in PUFAs.
Many people don’t even realize their diets are high in PUFAs. So where are those fats coming from?
- Almost ALL restaurant food is made with vegetable oil. This includes restaurants you think are healthy.
- Store bought prepared foods use almost exclusively vegetable oil (from rotisserie chickens to freezer aisle foods to packaged sauces to cookies, cereals, breads, plant-based milks, health food bars, shake mixes and more — almost all prepared foods, including those sold at natural food stores).
We’re often told it’s the ratio of omega 3 to 6 fats that matters, and most of us eat too many omega-6s. So it stands to reason, we can just add omega-3s, right?
Omega-3s from beef?!
No, it’s not that easy. We can now see from studies that we’re not meant to drink huge amounts of oil from fish (go figure!).
Instead, we’re meant to treat our bodies with respect and to buy meat from animals that were raised with respect. Yes, that’s right: Animals raised on green grass their whole lives, the way animals were meant to be raised, produce meat with fat that’s good for us (in moderation).
This still does not mean we should eat extra animal fat for improved health.
One important but surprising take away here is: If you reduce overall fat intake, processed foods and eat a truly balanced diet, you don’t have to worry about your omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid balance! You can just eat, and enjoy life!
Sourcing of meat matters
If we buy grass-finished beef (raised on pasture until it’s slaughtered), it is naturally high in omega-3 fatty acids that help to balance out the omega-6 fats in our diet.
And, we need to decrease (or ideally eliminate) consumption of vegetable oils, processed foods and reduce other sources of omega-6s.
Less fat overall, grass-finished beef and no processed foods (including vegetable oils) = our bodies get the whole foods they were meant to receive in the right ratio to one another.
Slow homemade food
That’s why the countries with the longest life spans and the least disease aren’t countries like America. We buy more supplements and eat more processed foods.
We need to do just the opposite: Take longer to enjoy homemade foods, use olive oil, avoid super foods, and reduce the supplements we take.
And: Eat ruminant animals — those that graze on grass their whole lives, for the right fatty acids in our diet. This approach to nutrition and health also blesses the health of the planet (more than any battery operated car or plant-based diet).
Why Fish Oil is BAD for You: All fats can lead to bile duct problems or fatty liver
It’s the new health epidemic in the U.S. Affecting not only junk-food addicts, but also those who think eating good fats in high volumes is healthy: Fatty Liver Disease is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, a condition in which too much fat is stored in the liver cells.
Yes, even fish oils poison the liver. <– This study concluded, “Fish oil diet exacerbates the hepatic injury and prevents cell proliferation-regeneration in normal and injured liver cells. Suppression of tissue regeneration by fish oil may lead to progression of the hepatic injury”.
A small amount of fat in one’s diet is delicious and just part of being alive. We can’t and shouldn’t avoid fat entirely.
But to supplement added fat is to encourage our bodies to absorb or re-absorb toxins; this goes for fish oils, too.
How the liver works
The liver creates bile to aid digestion and absorb toxins. We want proper bile flow. Bile in the intestines is like a trash truck on the road, taking out toxins.
But when we eat excess fat, the body stores it (and the toxins consumed with it) in the liver.
Eating extra fat makes our bodies re-absorb fat and toxic bile, instead of allowing that bile to exit the body with our feces.
Many of us have not been diagnosed with Fatty Liver Disease, which is why it is also called Silent Liver Disease (although this diagnosis is increasing). But mounting evidence shows backed up bile ducts and decreased bile flow (called cholestasis [which I’ve heard referred to as “leaky liver”]), are common.
Many of our symptoms lead to this finding, but most of us are ignorant that it’s our livers that need detoxing (and the problem is complex).
Reduce fat intake
Add to that re-absorbed bile, which includes bile’s toxins in our bloodstream, and we have a problem that is solved in part by reducing fats — which push toxins back into the liver.
It’s simple to do: Reduce fats and oils in our diet.
Just because something claims to be “anti-inflammatory” doesn’t mean it is.
Said plainly, fish oils are pro-inflammatory. They are more likely to cause heart disease, backed up bile ducts and toxicity in the liver.
This isn’t like the 1980s trend (that I lived through), to eat a nonfat diet. It just means to reduce fats, and certainly don’t add them in, thinking they’re healthy.
And … reduce fructose
A bit off topic, but I can’t pass by the topic of fatty liver without mentioning it. Many people steer toward sweets, and more so when they try to reduce fat. It’s like we’ve GOT to have something that’s not good for us.
So, just to present all the related facts: The body converts excess fructose (even honey) into fat and stores it in the liver. Fructose, like fat, verifiably leads to Fatty Liver Disease.
We can’t escape that eating healthy means reducing overall fats and sweeteners.
Why Fish Oil is BAD for You: More fish oil dangers
- Toxic levels of vitamin A found in fish oils for pets leads to recall. New evidence shows us: vitamin A is stored in the liver and treated like a toxin, as the body detoxes it when given the chance (a low vitamin A diet). Perhaps we should be asking if all fish oil is too high in this “vitamin”.
- Many humans experience signs of vitamin A toxicity from taking fish oil pills. Symptoms may be as small as having chronically dry or chapped lips.
- Note: Amounts vary and listing vitamin A content is no longer required (scary), but about 1000 mcg of vitamin A is reported in some brands of fish oil, per serving.
- All fish oils are high in aldehydes. Aldehydes are toxic chemicals that slow down our detox pathways. We want to reduce exposure to aldehydes as much as possible.
- Fish oils are highly fragile and vulnerable to oxidative degeneration, thus disease-causing when exposed to heat, light or air. (Note: Mono-unsaturated fats are less susceptible, and saturated fats, with their double bonds, are well protected against oxidation.)
- All animal fats hold the toxins of the animal from which they came. Don’t expose yourself to concentrated toxins. Toxins are stored in the liver and fat to protect humans and animals from them.
- Remember that supplements are a for-profit multi-billion dollar industry. To make money for someone else, we are sold products and told they’re good for us.
Are fish oils healthy
At their very best, studies show that fish oils are inconclusive in their effects on a variety of health conditions.
When looked at honestly, studies show the many dangers of fish oils:
- heart disease
- liver disease
- the ill effects of both of these conditions (including skin and mental health issues)
- increased risk of stroke
- sudden death
- exposure to high levels of vitamin A, aldehydes, oxidation and animal toxins
Ancestral eating
Ask yourself: What foods are naturally gleaned from a truly ancestral diet, balanced by the seasons, scarcity and availability? It looks nothing like the grain-free “eat the rainbow” diet pushed right now.
Similarly, what foods are considered good foods in the Bible?: Meat, not extra-oily fish, bread and some grains, beans, fruit (including cucumbers) and small amounts of condiments. (If you eat a grain-free and legume-free diet, I did, too. For about 10 years, I never thought I’d be able to eat grains or beans again. But one good change leads to another, which over time creates more freedom.)
While this may not be relevant for all of you: The Bible even talks more than once about avoiding extra fat (remember that’s where toxins are stored): “This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood.” (Leviticus 3:17)
Other than olive oil, fat is a modern food.
The main supplements most of us should be taking, in my opinion, are those removed from a modern diet due to mistreatment of the environment, such as well-chosen minerals.
No human lacks fish oil.
You can Pin Why Fish Oil is BAD for You here:
Kari says
This article really made me think about this supplement in a way I hadn’t! I don’t eat very much processed foods but am supplementing with fish oils because so many people are saying it’s healthy. I do know our soils are depleted of minerals, which you referred to in your closing statement. I’m curious what mineral supplements you are taking. Thanks for this thoughtful information!
Megan says
Hi Kari, my pleasure, and I’m so glad it’s helpful. Re minerals, for years I thought hair mineral testing wasn’t valid (because of a former doctor’s opinion), but through working with my current doctor, I now see that’s it’s accurate and very helpful information to have. I was definitely deterred also by the price. I mention this first, because ideally we are tested before supplementing with specific minerals, partially because some people can’t tolerate much of a supplement, like zinc, but that doesn’t mean they’re not deficient, so it can help provide that window into what’s really going on while a person starts with a super low dose and increases over time. That being said, I understand that most people want to keep it simpler to start and maybe add that complication in later when their mind and pocketbook are ready to go to that next level. I was personally in that category and did okay; I just did better when I knew my numbers. So … to answer your question, I consider these the most important minerals that most people are lacking: magnesium (safe for most people!, and can be dosed based on bowels, but topical is great, too, like a good lotion), potassium (usually potassium chloride, but not always for all people, sometimes potassium glycinate or another compounding; unfortunately this is one supplement that some people need to experiment with to find the right one and dose, but when you get it right, you can tell [sleep, bowels, aches and pains and more]), selenium (and not from Brazil nuts ideally), molybdenum (an important one that’s often overlooked but really helps to detox copper) and zinc. Zinc is one that some people are sensitive to, or in my case, I take a pretty high dose and really benefit. One option is to choose a supplement my doctor created (I do not benefit) that includes a good base dose for most people of zinc, selenium and molybdenum; it’s here: https://nutritiondetective.com/products/keystone-minerals And then add just Mg and potassium. A good place to start with potassium is just switch to Potassium Salt, and then add in more over time, starting with 1/8 teaspoon stirred into water, and then even increasing with time. (I take 1/2 teaspoon stirred into about 2 glasses of water, and I start drinking it each afternoon; it’s pretty strong flavor and concentration-wise, which is why I dilute it so much.) I use this one: https://amzn.to/47moFVb Here’s the potassium salt recipe: https://eatbeautiful.net/homemade-lite-salt-salt-substitute-recipe-morton-copycat-salt-potassium/ Dr. Smith, the website I linked to for the Keystone Minerals, has the best Mg lotion if you’re interested in that. Well, that was a long answer! I hope you find it helpful, although perhaps a bit overwhelming!
Skye says
This is such an excellent article and summary of the info, Megan, which I’ve recently been exposed to through other sources. But your article is the most excellent summary. Thank you so much! I only stopped taking fish oil a few months ago, unfortunately, but at least I have stopped and now my body can heal!
Megan says
Great to hear, Skye, that you’re off now, and yes, our bodies recover so well. Thanks for sharing and the encouragement!
MARY RYAN says
ugghh. This is depressing. I stopped fish oils but am consuming sardines 1-2 times a week. Guess I will stop that.
Seems everything always changes with regards to what to eat and what not to. Even in your column.
I do test my foods with an energy healer and he does muscle testing to see which foods are good for me and not.
I guess we should focus on basic eating habits of our ancestors. Eat food. Nothing out of a bag or box.
Megan says
I’m sorry, Mary; I understand how you feel. Yes, I definitely did these things in the past myself as well, and I’m sorry I didn’t know better than to share them as good at that time. I’m glad you are reading this information now, and it’s indeed a strange time to be living, at the confluence of so much information, and we don’t know what to believe. I do feel at this time, when we see clearly that the logic of eating fish oils (and even huge amounts of kale) just doesn’t make sense, that a kind of weight and burden is lifted, and I can see more clearly that those were things put on me by people saying we should do things that weren’t natural to the normal flow of life; they were forcing. So I personally feel more freedom now. Yes, as you said, basic eating: meats, gentle veggies, fruits, sourdough when tolerated etc.
And when we love something indulgent, if it doesn’t cause a reaction from having it occasionally, enjoy that thing, but just not often. For me this is heavy cream (Alexandre brand A2A2) or dairy-related, and it’s also real homemade French croissants; I just do this about once a month. So there really is so much joy in eating, and balance. I mention this last bit, because eating should truly be a joy. Meanwhile: We don’t want to eat or take anything regularly or often that is inflammatory, and that’s information that needs to be shared, even though it’s sometimes hard to take.
John says
Have you found any PubMed articles indicating that extra virgin organic coconut oil, used for stove top cooking in stainless steel pans, inhibits bile formation and causes deposition of fat in the liver?
Some of your references included rate studies. I have read that these need to be considered with caution. Humans are not identical to rats regarding how we digest and utilize foods in our digestive systems.
What affordable readily available foods help our body generate bile to help digest fats instead of storing fats?
Megan says
Hi John, I personally prefer naturally refined coconut oil because the less refined, the more free fatty acids, which cause inflammation. EV oils are trendier and easier to find right now, so you have to look a little harder for refined. I also choose refined olive oil (sometimes available at Costco and usually at Trader Joe’s). Thankfully, we have both rat and human studies. In fact, we have so many human studies on fish oils causing damage to humans, that I feel very sorry for the humans who took part in those studies. I love the Anti-Inflammatory List of foods I created because one goal I had when making that list was to keep it as broad as possible so more people could do a diet that encourages liver recovery (which means the bile ducts mend over time, and bile production improves). I think we do need to be careful to not oversimplify, though, the recovery process in the liver. My simple long term solution before finding the low vitamin A diet and the work of Dr. Smith was to use digestive bitters. This is truly an excellent band-aid. Here’s my article on how to make or buy it: https://eatbeautiful.net/how-make-2-ingredient-digestive-bitters/ If bitters is taken with activated charcoal, the bitters help the body produce bile, and the activated charcoal absorbs the toxins within it. That being said, anyone who wants deeper and real healing would be better off considering the true liver healing diet, which is the low A diet (also low in other compounds that allow mending of the bile ducts over time): https://eatbeautiful.net/vitamin-a-detox-diet-free-printable-food-lists-avoid-eat-toxicity/
Aeden Dalena says
O Megan…. Yes… You do such beautiful work and make such lovely food . You have good
intentions… but what can ordinary people eat ?? Every day there is something new that
we need to avoid. OR add to our eating plan.
I love Chris Kresser too… and I love Megan… but some days I just can’t take anymore
scary news about the stuff I have been feeling guilty because I was NOT eating .
I am not very good at preparing food for myself.
I am just reading David Perlmutter’s book “Drop Acid” I think I need to
buy a uric acid test kit. Do you own one ? Like I say… If it is not one thing it is
another.
Aeden
Megan says
Hi Aeden, I understand, and I know, it can be confusing, overwhelming and discouraging … until that one day you finally hit on THE truth, and you realize that everyone else is just dancing around the truth with partial truths, and their answers are the confusing side shows. If I could direct you to one resource, it would be Dr. Smith of the Love Your Liver program. His work encompasses everything for healing the body fully. It doesn’t focus on just uric acid, for example, and stress you out about getting a kit. His approach (which is what I started over 4.5 years ago) begins with dietary choices and an increased awareness of food compounds like copper and vitamin toxicities. I chose between the DIY free version or having him be my actual doctor. To begin, I did the DIY version to save money, and then when I was ready, I had him become my doctor, do my labs etc. He is so thorough about caring about each of his patients individually and answering even all their long term questions, as well as short term, to get them well. But, even the DIY version, can include an inexpensive annual membership that allows you access to a whole community of very intelligent and helpful people who help each other along. I don’t know if this just isn’t helpful, if you’re already overwhelmed, but I do believe it’s the one source of health truth you can trust, so if you feel like you want to narrow down the voices and no longer be confused, it’s the direction I’d point you to. Here’s Dr. Smith’s website, and I’m here for any questions you may have: https://nutritiondetective.com/ Be encouraged at least that we as caring humans are here for each other! I am pouring you a cup of tea, metaphorically, and offering you a smile, simple foods and a sigh. 🙂
Heather W. says
Megan– I highly value the information that you have put in front of your reading audience over the years. THIS one was especially hard for me. I now have SSOOO many questions. Like what about dental health and cavity healing? Personally, I have come to rely on 1 tablespoon of cod liver oil a day to ease the shaking from cerebral palsy and it’s also what banished persistent hemorrhoids years ago (not to return). Regarding fats in general, I follow a clean keto diet, so good fats are very important in energy production— what would I do?? I cannot/won’t eat any of the modern grains as they wrecked havoc on my health decades ago (even “traditional”, soaked, sprouted. etc). After following the Fiber 45 diet 10 years back, I cannot tolerate any legumes. I was AIP from 2015-2020 and the carbs were killing me– thus the Keto diet.
Specifically KetoGains which emphasizes adequate protein over fat. One phrase you wrote interests me particularly: ” (If you eat a grain-free and legume-free diet, I did, too. For about 10 years, I never thought I’d be able to eat grains or beans again. But one good change leads to another, which over time creates more freedom.)” I am wondering how you changed.
Also, we have SO many intolerances in our family, I m wondering how less fat, more ____ could look. We have one child (19yr) that cannot tolerate fruit (only minute amounts of berries), nor any starches or FOSs.
I cook everything from scratch and we strive to source well everything we buy. It’s all so exhausting and often conflicting– to try to live correctly for true health. OH yes, one more thing– my husband was diagnosed with ApoE 3/4 two years ago– so THAT’s been another eating challenge!
Megan says
Hi Heather, I’m so glad you read the article, and thank you for your comments and questions. I’ll see how far I can get before my youngest wakes up for the morning LOL. Re dental health, we have seen nothing short of amazing results from using a topical calcium liquid, recommended by my doctor who does not of course advocate for taking calcium orally. We have actually seen complete reversal of my 5 year old’s cavities; we adopted her from Africa 11 months ago, have used the liquid for probably the last 6 months, and all her cavities are gone. I need to write a short article on it, but haven’t yet. We brush this on her teeth each night, and then spit, but don’t rinse or drink anything else, just before bed: https://www.calciumtherapy.com/oral-cal-mouth-rinse-2/ Regarding your shaking and cerebral palsy, I can’t speak to why the cod liver oil caused and has a beneficial effect, but I believe that Dr. Smith would answer similarly to why you have seen benefits from the Keto diet, and that is that you are seeing short term benefits (what he calls the Duration Paradox), but that your liver is storing, storing, storing, and the long term issues are increasing (not to sound too dark, I hope). I would whole-heartedly refer you to him for the best care, insights, guidance and for amazing long term solutions. He is expensive, and for that I’m sorry, but he does offer weekly support with in person follow up questions for a full 6 months after your appointment, and the cost includes lab work and mineral analysis testing, so you get amazing care, and of course, it’s worth it, because it’s probably the most important choice any of us can make for our physical health long term. Re grains and beans etc, those all come with time, depending on the individual, and beans especially don’t need to come ever; neither do. There is no burden for anyone’s diet to look exactly like someone else’s, but rather to remove all the problematic foods and supplements. Dr. Smith would also be helpful in your husband’s case, because Dr. Smith specializes in heavy metal issues (that affect your husband’s diagnosis). It’s great that you’ve figured out to remove fruit from your son’s diet. I also can not eat any fruit. It’s only from being on the low A diet that I’ve been able to reintroduce small amounts, which I am careful with and am amazed by simultaneously.
Heather W. says
Thank you so very much for the time you took on composing a reply to me. You answered several issues of mine. I would indeed like the information on Dr. Smith– when you have a moment. Thank you again for all you do. By the way, I do remember your family’s recent adoption and am THRILLED to know that your daughter’s health is improving so rapidly. You’re a blessing to many!!!
Megan says
My pleasure, and I’m so glad it’s helpful. Thank you regarding your very kind words about our daughter and in general!! 🙂 Here is Dr. Smith’s info: https://nutritiondetective.com/ Blessings!!
Dorothy says
This is definitely a thought provoking article. I was taking a fish oil sporadically and my dh has been taking a supplement with calanus oil. It’s a crustacean, so would it be in the same category as fish oil?
Another thought I had was about how often olive oils are supposedly compromised and not pure olive oil, even possibly ones labeled organic. Also, the bottles need to have the date of manufacture on them and many don’t. I also thought that olive oil is best used at room temperature and unheated. We use mostly avocado oil and coconut oil, and I think several of your recipes include both?
Megan says
Hi Dorothy, unfortunately, crustacean oils are out, too. They can be high in vitamin A and copper, as well as the other issues discussed here. Re olive oil, it is safe for cooking with, but does need to be stored in the dark and away from heat, just a cool cupboard is good. We do our best with sourcing olive oil, and then we don’t worry about it, because any of us could get ourselves crazy. I do buy refined olive oil from Trader Joe’s and Costco. I do believe both are pure, not cut with vegetable oil. I also use refined avocado oil and refined coconut oil. Yes, and in most of my recipes, these oils are interchangeable, except in a baking recipe where either a liquid or solid fat is specified.
Dorothy says
Thank you for clarifying about the oils, Megan. We sure could drive ourselves crazy trying to do everything right, but it’s good to know what you’re doing.
Megan says
So glad it’s helpful, Dorothy. Yes, community is great!
Lea says
Are you following Dr Smith, the Nutirion Detective? This is all so boggling to me, I must confess I’ve ignored some of it. But now with a baby in my 40’s, I had needed to supplement with formula. I had been making the Sally Fallon/Weston A Price recipe that has cod liver oil. Once my supply caught up, I started taking CLO to help support my body. But now I have to know, so down this rabbit hole I go…. Any names of practitioners and or websites would be appreciated!
Megan says
Hi Lea, Yes, I do follow Dr. Smith, and yes, I fully respect his work and believe it to be true. Here’s his website if you don’t already have it: https://nutritiondetective.com/ I do recommend his Love Your Liver network. Those involved are very educated, without agendas, open minded, and truly just searching for best health. I’m afraid a lot of the health world has started defending certain vitamins and supplements and would never consider honestly re-evaluating. I went down the same rabbit hole you did and couldn’t believe I was doing it, and only ended up happier, healthier and with my eyes continually being opened to actually new insights and research, plus we’re part of this great experiment ourselves, and it’s amazing to be on the front lines of actual improved deep wellness. I do also recommend Grant Genereux’s website and his ebooks. He’s the one that started all of this and receives no benefit whatsoever other than the encouragement that people are finally beginning to see that what he pointed out and discovered years ago is true. https://ggenereux.blog/ (His ebooks are free.) Best!
Dorothy says
I’m having a little trouble with wondering whether canned sardines and maybe even salmon are totally out. Sardines seem rather dry; I usually end up adding homemade Mayo and sometimes butter to make them palatable. I won’t be taking fish oil supplements, but can a fish our Creator made be completely off limits? I don’t eat tilapia, but it’s more because of where it’s raised and how it’s handled.
Megan says
Hi Dorothy, I understand. I ate those fish and loved them for years. When we talk about foods that may be out now, and discuss them in the context of God-created good foods, the only thing that changes that is that now, unfortunately, we live in a toxic world, and most of us have already been affected so much by toxins, specifically our livers, and then many other systems of our bodies (for example, heavy metals in our brains). So while a couple of hundred years ago, salmon and sardines would be Yes foods, I’m not sure they are anymore. That doesn’t mean someone couldn’t eat small amounts of them, but if we’re trying to recover from vitamin A toxicity, salmon is out, as its color indicates. And the oral calcium we’ve been told we need from sardine bones is actually better acquired through balancing other minerals in the body: when vitamin K is taken orally, for example, and vitamin D is acquired through light, calcium balances itself. Part of any person’s decision is how much do they want to know and do, and how much do they need to make changes. If you feel mostly in good health and just want to make small changes, that can be a great choice. Some of us need to make really big changes because we have symptoms that indicate sick livers, thyroids, blood, heart issues, brain issues, kidney etc; we have to make big changes to improve our health significantly. I believe it’s very important to have low stress and enjoy the beauty of your diet, so I don’t want some individuals to worry more than enjoy if they’re in pretty good shape. But I do want to help those of us who need to make big changes. So it’s a balance of deciding what you need, and then enjoying what you decide is best for you. The other issue with fish is mercury, and while there is some evidence that fish high in selenium balances that mercury out in the body, my doctor’s blood tests for his patients repeatedly show high mercury for fish eaters — this includes my own and both by parents. So reducing fish in general is good these days, sadly. Mercury may be less of an issue with sardines, but I’m not sure they’re the super fish I thought they were at one time. Again, though, find that right balance for you and your health needs/goals. (The no tilapia is great.)
Dorothy says
As usual, you helped to answer my concerns and give me more to consider. Thank you for lending more light on the subject.
Megan says
I’m so glad, Dorothy!!
Kelly says
Thank you for your article! It was very helpful! I now need to figure out if I should keep taking my Ox Bile due to the fact that my gallbladder was removed.
Megan says
Hi Kelly, the doctor I like so much, Dr. Smith of the Love Your Liver and Nutrition Restored programs, would say to use as little as possible to get the desired outcome you need (but that yes, it’s okay and wise at this point to take it). If you choose to work with him or do the DIY version of his program at some point, you may be able to make progress and get off them. If you eat more fat, you’ll need them, but if you eat a lower fat meal and don’t need the supplement, then don’t take it at that meal, is what he’d say. If you decide to work with him or do the diet, I think you can get to the point where you don’t need them anymore, as the liver is still producing bile; the ducts just need major cleaning out for the systems to run effectively again, esp without the gall bladder. https://nutritiondetective.com/