.

This has been a staple in households for hundreds of years and many of you can remember taking cod liver oil when you were kids. So where did it all go? I think because the taste was so awful years ago it became less popular.  In recent years it has been processed better and even flavored. It is tasty enough for my kids to even like it.

Secondly, there has been a resurgence of interest in vitamin D.  Everyone, including doctors is talking about it. Now, as you know I like natural things and one of the most natural ways to get vitamin D is in cod liver oil.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D has been shown to prevent cancer, heart disease, and autoimmune diseases. It is not without it’s trouble. It is also the most toxic of all vitamins.

 The natural way you get it.

Sun & food –> Liver –> Active Vit. D hormone –> You get the health benefits

Vitamin D from the sun

1. The amount you get is proportional to the amount of skin you expose.

2. In the northern ½ of the US, during the winter, you will essentially get no vitamin D from the sun.
   

3. SPF 8 sunscreen reduces production of vitamin D in the skin by 98%.

4. The darker your skin the less vitamin D you make.

5. Cholesterol in the skin is made into vitamin D by the sun (UVB rays). I would be seriously concerned about the health damage from cholesterol lowering drugs. For example: Zocor interfers with and accelerates the destruction of skin cholesterol.

6. Skin conversion decreases as you age. For example a 70 year old makes 4x less vitamin D than a 20 year old.

7. As you age, vitamin D from your diet is more important.

8. Your skin only makes so much then it gets full and that area of skin quits making it.

Real Vitamin D from food

1. Comes from animals only.

2. Sources in order of concentration: Blood,

   Cod liver oil, Marlin, Chum Salmon, Herring, Halibut, Tuna, Duck eggs, Trout, Eel, Mackerel, Salmon, Canned Sardines, Chicken Egg, Pork liver, Unfortified summer milk, Beef liver, Pork.

Most absorption occurs in the small intestine and depends on the bile salt from the gall bladder. If you have had your gall bladder out, you must be on Cholacol from Standard Process for the rest of your life. You will be missing a body part for the rest of your life. You need to make up for it.

If you want the best, you can order it directly from http://www.greenpasture.org  We used to stock this one because it is the best, we found that about 75% of people couldn’t stomach the taste. Now, all of their products are fermented, so if taste isn’t an issue for you, this would be the place to get it.

My second choice is Carlson’s, we are ordering again, since winter is upon us and the sun light hours are going down. Nearly everyone preferred the lemon flavor.  If you would like some, just send me a quick email.

You can talk to me about any problems via
email: docaltman [at] gmail [dot] com
skype: docaltman
Voicemail: 612-BE-GREAT ((612-234-7328))
Comment on any page, will also get to me.

What I learned from Bruce West’s latest newsletter.

This is a very personal letter talking about the death of his dad.  All kinds of things contribute to pain, suffering, and an early death—smoking, drinking, drugs, doctors, poor diet and more.  He says the most insidious of all is loss of strength, mind and body.  A loss of strength brings about years in nursing homes and an early death.  Dr. West uses Fred Hahn’s “The Slow Burn Fitness Revolution” to maintain his strength.  If you have a hard time remembering to workout or being motivated you may like our online program www.area365.com

Check out Bruce’s “End My Joint Pain “

The Greatest Cause of Death in the U.S.

#1 heart disease

The Greatest Cause of Pain and Disability
#1 A crumbling skeleton (osteoporosis, arthritis, and joint diseases)

The Greatest way to fix both
#1 Vitamin K2
The main source is butter oil (butter from from cows eating fresh sprouting, growing green grass.

The best combination if you are ill is butter oil and cod liver oil.  Given time magic can happen.  We do special order butter oil if needed. -Dr. Altman

Epidemic of Vitamin D deficiency

Since sunshine is the primary source of vitamin D it is quickly becoming the secondary source for three reasons.
#1 People are using more sunblock
#2 People are covering up more in summer
#3 Cholesterol-lowering drugs (Sunshine uses cholesterol to convert to vitamin D)

Cod Liver Oil is needed by just about everyone.  Not only for the vitamins A and D but the omega  3 fatty acids.  It is for strong bones, joints, and muscles.

B4 for you and me
It seems in general discussion that no one has every heard of B4 besides Standard Process.  The only doctor that talks about it is Bruce West.  It is one of the most critical heart supplements we have.  For your reference, the Merck Manual 10th edition, every medical professional has used this book.  The Merck lists 14 separate fractions of B complexes and 12 divisions of B12.  The manual states adenine is “widespread throughout animal and plant tissues…it is often isolated from bovine pancreas, and itis also referredto as vitamin B4.”

-Dr. Altman, Standard Process never ceases to amaze me.  The single best way to get this in todays eating environment is Cataplex B by Standard Process.  Also, a note to all people suffering from any heart problems.  You need to listen to Bruce West.  We have used his protocols very successfully.

Macular Degeneration and Cancer

Cruciferous vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts and kale have large amounts of flavinoids and lutein with greatly nourish the eyes.  These two powerful foods are naturally anti-cancer by detoxifying and removing excess estrogens.  Read the full newsletter for the amounts of cancer reductions for women with breast cancer and high levels of estrogen.
You have 2 choices.  You can either eat Brussels sprouts and/or kale everyday or take Cruciferous Complete from Standard Process.
Dr. Altman- I think this is one of the single most important supplements ALL women should take.  My wife is taking it.  I rarely lay down a blanket recommendation for all people, because it isn’t really possible very often.  Bruce West says it better.   Get the full PDF below.

Bruce West February 2009

Last month we covered the ins and outs of calcium and I had to leave you hanging about vitamin D. You ALWAYS hear, “You need calcium with D.”

Vitamin D does help you absorb calcium. The U.S. Institute of Medicine’s Food and Nutrition Board cited literature showing 800 I.U. per day is necessary to reduce the risk of hip fracture.

D is the easiest vitamin to get too much of. What if you get too much? Long-term Vitamin D toxicity usually shows up as kidney stones, artery calcification and yes, even bone loss.

I Want You To Learn Something,

Not 1 Doctor in 1000 Knows.

****Vitamin A protects against D toxicity

It also helps protect against calcifications and bone loss. For example: It helps prevent kidney stones but can’t reverse them.

**Vitamins A & D increase bone mineralization a better when combined.

A study about the role fatty acids play in building the bone mineral density of young men found that concentrations of omega-3 fats were associated with positive bone mineral densities.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition March 2007; 85(3): 803-807

All this means– A good quality cod liver oil is far superior than just your Vitamin D in a calcium supplement. Cod liver oil naturally has vitamins A +D, Omega 3’s and DHA. Once again, doing things the way nature intended is always correct. Remember vitamin D by itself could make your health worse.