Nordic Naturals Responds to UK Warning Against Too Much Vitamin A Through Fish Oil Use (press release)

Monday, September 26, 2005 by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger Editor of NaturalNews.com (See all articles...) Tags: health news, Natural News, nutrition

In light of Thursday’s announcement from the UK Food Standard Agency issuing a warning against too much Vitamin A in diets of those people at risk for osteoporosis, Nordic Naturals announced today that its products do not pose a threat because they have low and safe levels of natural Vitamin A and no synthetic Vitamin A is added to its oils. On September 8th, the UK’s Food Standards Agency suggested that people at risk of osteoporosis should avoid taking supplements containing Vitamin A, including fish liver oils. The advice was based on a review of evidence on Vitamin A carried out by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, prompted by findings of an expert panel on vitamins reported in May 2003 that suggested a connection between high intakes of the vitamin over time with increased risk of the disease.

According to Joar Opheim, CEO of Nordic Naturals, “this concern about fish oils is founded on the fact that most fish oil companies add synthetic Vitamin A to their products. Since we have never added synthetic vitamins to our oils, consumers can feel comfortable taking our cod liver oil without fear of ingesting too much Vitamin A from this one source.” The company has recently taken a strong public stand against any measures that would require standardizing the Vitamin A levels in cod liver oil. Adds Joar, “It is common when fish species other than Arctic Cod are used, synthetic Vitamins A needs to be added back to standardize the oil as Cod Liver Oil. We have never engaged in this practice because we use only 100% Arctic Cod for our Cod Liver Oil, supplying acceptable levels of naturally occurring Vitamin A.”

At the turn of the century, cod liver oil was consumed for its fish oil benefits as well as for Vitamin A and D. Over the years, it has become standard practice to add Vitamin A and D at levels that are not necessarily sound. Nordic Naturals typically averages 1800 IU of Vitamin A, which is considered to be a safe and low level. On the average, other manufacturers contain more than 4500 IU.

Nordic Naturals Cod Liver Oil products include lemon flavor, orange flavor, strawberry flavor, peach flavor, unflavored, lemon flavored soft gels, Children’s Chewable DHA, single serving teaspoon packets (orange flavor) and Pet Cod Liver Oil. All CLO is tested to ensure healthy levels of 100% naturally occurring Vitamins A and D.

Founded by husband-and-wife team Joar and Michele Opheim, Nordic Naturals is the leader in Omega-3 fish oils and EFA blends with exceptional taste, freshness and purity levels. The company offers over 50 different fish oil products and EFA blends, including liquids, capsules, and children's chewables. For more information, please visit www.nordicnaturals.com or call 800.662.2544.