In my last post, we’ve established that fermented cod liver oil is good for you.
But how much cod liver oil do I need to take?
The information out there can be a bit confusing, so I’ve sifted through it for you, and here’s what I’ve concluded…
In their article entitled Cod Liver Oil Basics and Recommendations, The Weston Price Foundation recommends a varying dosage of FCLO based on the individuals health and needs, stating, “Fermented cod liver oil contains many co-factors that may enhance the body’s uptake and usage of vitamins A and D; in fact, many have reported results equivalent to those obtained from high-vitamin cod liver oil with half the recommended dose.”
With that in mind, WAPF recommends the following daily dosage ranges for fermented cod liver oil:
- Children age 3 months to 12 years: 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon
- Children over 12 years and adults: 1/2 – 1 teaspoon or 5-10 capsules
- Pregnant and nursing women: 1 – 2 teaspoon or 10-20 capsules
Understanding FCLO Capsules and Dosage
According to Ramiel Nagel, author of Cure Tooth Decay
One capsule of Fermented Cod liver oil = approximately 1/8 teaspoon, so 4 capsules = 1/2 teaspoon. Note: this is slightly less than the WAPF estimations. So what to do?
In a recent newsletter, I discovered some words of wisdom from Dave Wetzel, owner of Green Pasture (the only company that currently produces and sells fermented cod liver oil):
Most that take the capsules will take 3-6 caps per day. If you are taking the liquid most common range is 1/2 to 1.5 tsp per day”¦ I know some that take 3 tablespoons per day, others do well at 1/2 tsp. All people are different in needs and function.
In the old days we did not try to figure out or deduce FCLO to one or two molecular structures. We got the spoon out and took it. When under stress we went and took out the bigger spoon.
So the gist here is that your dosage will vary based on your current state of health. Use the recommendations above as guidelines, and adjust according to your body’s needs. If you are pregnant or nursing, you will need to take approximately double your pre-baby dosage. If you are struggling with dental issues or other health problems (acute or chronic), it is likely that you will need to be on the higher range as well. When in doubt, consult with a qualified health practitioner.
What about the FCLO and high vitamin butter oil combo? How much should I take?
If you are taking the liquid or gel blend of the fermented cod liver oil and high vitamin butter oil, you can simply double the dose of what you would take if you were taking the FCLO alone.
When it comes to the capsules, however, it’s not as easy as multiplying by two. As mentioned above, the FCLO capsule contains 1/8 teaspoon of FCLO – which is equivalent to 500mg. One capsule of the Blue Ice Butter Royal contains 750mg or 1/6 teaspoon of the FCLO and butter oil blend. This means that one cap of the blend contains 1/12 teaspoon of FCLO, so to get 1/2 teaspoon of FCLO you will need 6 capsules of the FCLO/Butter Oil blend. Pregnant and nursing moms and those with health issues may need up to 24 capsules of the blend if they intend to take 2 teaspoons of FCLO with each dose.
Remember, the same rule applies for the blend as for FCLO alone – use these recommendations as guidelines only, choosing the appropriate dose for you based on your health and your body’s need. When in doubt, consult with a qualified health practitioner.
~Click here to learn where to buy fermented cod liver oil~
Ok. Now we know WHY to take fermented cod liver oil and how to determine the dose. Up next… Top tricks for getting FCLO down with a smile on your face. Got questions? Shoot them below!
What would the dosages be for the high butter/FLCO blend?
I want our family to start taking this very soon. I have a 21 month old daughter though and am trying to figure out how to get her to take it. I saw that Green Pastures has flavored versions as well but do they taste good? Can you mix the liquid into anything to “hide” it for my daughter. Like in her mix or oatmeal?
I read that you shouldn’t give babies the flavored versions due to the additives??? I’d go with the plain version. Read some posts that some use eye droppers and give in between bites of food during meal time or some simply give straight no chaser and over about a week or so baby starts to not mind it. I think I’ll try that route when I start my baby as well.
Maybe just have her try it without anything. My daughter started taking it when she was one year old or so and has always seemed to like the taste – seriously, licks the spoon clean (although it took some getting used to for me). Its difficult to hide in things as it has a strong flavor. We like the Oslo Orange here, but you little one may not be as picky as you might think she would be. Also, the only things added to this are organic orange and organic lemon oil. I know citrus can be allergenic for young babies, but for an almost 2 year old I doubt it would be a problem. If you are uncomfortable with anything else being in it, jut go for plain.
My 21 month old has been taking it for almost a year now, which probably some bearing on her reaction, but she loves the stuff straight and plain. We use the syringe it comes with and follow it with some high vitamin butter oil. When I ask her if she would like her cod liver oil, she always comes running. If I were just starting her though, she might not be so eager – I have heard of someone giving a shot glass full of fresh pressed orange juice to chase the taste away.
My daughter takes nordic naturals and we were told by our naturopath to give her 1/2tsp a day she’s 2.5 yrs old.
I meant “milk or oatmeal”.
Thanks! I recently started taking the FCLO-Butter oil blend in the cinnamon tingle flavor and have no issues getting it down, which I was really happy to find! I just put the amount on the back of my tongue and take a sip of my morning water, kvass or apple cider vinegar tonic. Easy! Do people take on an empty stomach? Is that okay?
Deena, I do the same. I don’t mind the taste at all. Delicious. And I have taken it on an empty stomach.
I’ve heard that the high butter/FCLO blend makes the FCLO more readily available. Is this true? Would the dosages be the same compared to regular FCLO?
yes, if it best to take with the butter oil, why would you get just the FCLO? I am pregnant and taking the blend in capsules but wondering if I should just take the FCLO? thoughts? thanks!
Ah! That will teach me to finish a post at 4am. I will add the dosage for the FCLO/BO blend. Thanks, Amanda and Laura Greiner.
Please let me know when you add that information. Thanks!
Amanda Edwards Bussard – I’ve added the dosages for the FLCO and BO blend.
how would i give FCLO to my picky 4 y.o. boy??
Thanks but YIKES! This is getting so expensive!
Good stuff! Thanks for posting
I think I might start taking a little less than a teaspoon then, since it’s so damn expensive, lol. ~Heba
Thanks for this post. Before I was making my own little gel caplets with FCLO and Butter oil in them (because it was cheaper to make them myself). Now that is no longer necessary because this last time around I ordered fermented cod liver oil with the orange oil. This is an amazing product – I am able to take it straight from a spoon. But I am wondering is it the same concentration? Does the orange oil dilute the FCLO and should I take more? I am nursing and have been trying to take 2 teaspoons per day. I have only been taking 1 teaspoon of butter oil per day (I read somewhere that was the ratio), but it sounds like you are advocating a 1 to 1 ratio. I guess I can give that a try. Would love your feedback. Thanks.
Every morning I give my 4 year old daughter 1 tsp. of Garden of Life’s Old World Cod Liver Oil, and myself a full tbsp. I love this company, but their CLO isn’t fermented. Am I wasting my money???
I started FCLO/Butter Oil blend with my DD when she was a year old. She took it without a problem…we ran out for a while and now I use the cinnamon tingle flavor. It’s MUCH easier for me to get down, but at 20 months she seems to think it burns a little. Not a problem, though! I’ve found two things that get a 1/2 teaspoon down no problem for her. One is knowing she will get some sort of fruit afterward – the girl LOVES her fruit! The other is calling daddy in to watch – she loves to show off how she takes her oil like a big girl!
We’ve been taking the FLCO and butter oil for about a year now. My son is 2 & my daughter is 5 now. It took a little convincing to get my daughter to take it at first (I confess, we bribed her w/ candy!) But my crazy eats anything son licks the butter oil out of the lid until I can get it away from him! It makes me laugh every time…hopefully he can’t overdose on it.
I mix FCLO with skate liver oil in a 3:1 ratio. I get orange flavor of one product and cinnamon in another and don’t need to “hide” it at all. It’s yummy! Also, I keep the combo in the fridge so it’s more semi-solid, which makes it much easier to swallow without a lot of tasting. A cinnamon-orange burp beats fishy burp anytime!!
I am breastfeeding right now and have just started taking the FCLO / Butter Oil blend capsules as I could not stomach liquid FCLO. However, I also can’t imagine taking 24 capsules per day! First of all, it feels very excessive to swallow so many capsules. Secondly, it would cost a fortune as there are 120 capsules per bottle which cost nearly $40 per bottle. 24 capsules per day would last 5 days!!!! Truly, $240 per month on FCLO????
I also wonder how the body responds after it stops taking these high doses of Vitamin A and Vitamin D via FCLO on a long term basis. Would it more easily succumb to cancer and degenerative disease?
I take a teaspoon of green pasture fermented cod liver oil. Does anyone know the vitamin A and D iu’s in that dose?
Hello there,
Thanks for a great post. Just wondering why your recommended dosages for the Royal Blend significantly differ from here. http://codliveroilshop.com/ (see near bottom recommendations)
The way I read it, they are suggesting to half the dosage of normal cod liver oil recommendations, as the overall vitamin levels in the blend are much higher, than say what WAPF rec. Or am I misreading it?
With thanks alison
Hi Alison – I don’t know that site makes the recommendations that they do. My advice is that your dosage will vary based on your current state of health. Use the recommendations above as guidelines, and adjust according to your body’s needs.
Very interesting read! I think I’d probably have to get the cinnamon flavored to help with the taste though! Thanks for the great post!
JoLynn Braley
The F.A.T. Release Coach
oh my gosh. i wish I would have seen the above picture before purchasing them. they’re huge! how am i going to get my son to take 6 of these a day. I broke one open and…YUCK!
Interesting post! I am looking into taking fclo and was also interesting in the butter oil as well. I am struggling with acne/hormone balance and have heard it helps with keratinosis polaris. Is it better to take them together? What is the recommended dosing or ratio of butter oil to fclo? It’s probably cheaper to buy them separately in liquid form instead of taking a bunch of capsules daily. Thanks for the info!
Hi, I was just wondering if you know what the vitamin A and D amounts are in the FCLO/Butter blend capsules? Thanks!
I am nursing my 6mo and take 2 tsp of FCLO daily. I eat plenty of fats (grass fed butter and meat, egg yolks, cook with tallow and bacon grease) Do I still need the Butter Oil??
Thanks!
Probably not, but I would gauge my answer based on your past health/dietary history and current health/symptoms.
thanks!