Hi Doc! Thank you for taking my question. I've been trying

to find out why Cod Liver Oil is an avoid for type O's. I would

like to take it as it is a good source of vitamin D, but if it

is more detrimental than beneficial, I won't. Could you please

advise? Thank you again. Joe M.

--


The practice of giving cod liver oil (CLO) began in nineteenth-century

England when young people on a poor diet were deprived of exposure

to the sun. Without sun, their bodies couldn't make vitamin D

(known as the "sunshine vitamin"), and they developed

rickets. Because CLO contains large amounts of vitamin D, it cured

rickets and made a great contribution to public health.

On average, 20 milliliters of CLO contains1,500 IU of vitamin

D, as well as 1.8 grams EPA, 2.2 grams DHA, 15,000 IU vitamin

A.

The omega-3 content of fish oils can lower blood triglyceride

levels, thin the blood, and also decrease inflammation in various

parts of the body.

CLO should be avoided by blood group O non-secretors,

and is generally neutral for healthy O secretors. The reason for

this difference is that Dr. D'Adamo has observed depressed saliva

levels of sIgA (secretory Immunoglobulin A) in O non-secretors

on CLO supplements.

sIgA is similar in a way to blood group antigen secretions

in that sIgA is secreted on all mucosal body surfaces as the first

line of defence against invaders. sIgA inhibits binding of micro-organisms

to mucosal surfaces, preventing entry. sIgA deficiency is associated

with increased gastrointestinal tract permeability and increased

manifestations of delayed patterns of food allergy. It is therefore

essential in ABH salivary non-secretors, who don't have their

blood group antigens on their mucosal surfaces to protect them.

CLO can have a fishy taste and might cause belching, nosebleeds,

halitosis, or heartburn in some people. Gastrointestinal side

effects can be minimized if CLO is taken with meals and if doses

are started low and gradually increased.

Any unsaturated oil, including fish oil, can become rancid

if exposed to heat, light or oxygen. Rancid oils are very unhealthy

because they contain free radical molecules that damage your cells.

Some manufacturers add vitamin E to fish oil capsules to keep

the oil from becoming rancid. Another method is to remove all

the oxygen from the capsule.

Excessive vitamin A and D is possible with too much CLO. Pregnant

women and women who want to become pregnant must be careful about

excessive intake of vitamin A due to its potential effect on the

foetus. Fish oils extracted from non-liver sources are usually

not a problem. Check the label of fish oil products for the vitamin

A and D content.

Fish oil may increase homocysteine concentrations and nitric

oxide metabolism in healthy humans. At excessive levels, these

substances can lead to inflammation and oxidant stress (free radical

damage to the cells).

Fish oil, especially in large doses over a period of time,

has a blood-thinning effect and thus affect bleeding time. Blood

group O tend to have the thinnest blood, and so this may be a

consideration when supplementing with oils. If you have a health

condition, if you are taking blood thinning medication (aspirin,

coumadin, warfarin etc.), or are pregnant always consult with

your physician before taking fish oil or EPA/DHA capsules.

Fish have no refuge from environmental pollution and most have

become contaminated to some extent with mercury, dioxins, and

other petrochemicals. When oil is extracted from fish, these oil-soluble

chemicals are included. In addition, if too much heat is used

during processing, free radical peroxides will be present in the

oil. Therefore it is wise to be very selective when purchasing

any fish oil product. Buy fish oil only from reputable companies

who have verified by independent laboratory analysis that their

product is free from chemical contamination and peroxides.

Vitamin D is known as the "sunshine vitamin" because

the body manufactures the vitamin after being exposed to sunshine.

Ten to 15 minutes of sunshine 3 times weekly is adequate to produce

the body's requirement of vitamin D.

Phytocal

O contains Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol)

150 IU per 3 capsules

For an O non-secretor sardines and mackerel will be beneficial

foods rich in vitamin D

References:





Cunningham-Rundles C. Analysis of the gastrointestinal

secretory immune barrier in IgA deficiency. Ann Allergy. 1986

Jul;57(1):31-5.

Tanida T, et. al. Decreased excretion of antimicrobial

proteins and peptides in saliva of patients with oral candidiasis.

J Oral Pathol Med. 2003 Nov;32(10):586-94.