ONL044 Chris Masterjohn on the Science of Cod Liver Oil

by Cathy R. Payne, EdD

We have a great Podcast this week, and an extended one due to our interview with Chris Masterjohn. Chris is the creator and maintainer of Cholesterol-And-Health.Com , a website dedicated to providing accurate information about cholesterol and cholesterol-rich foods.

He has authored several articles appearing in Wise Traditions in Food, Farming and the Healing Arts – the quarterly journal published by the Weston A. Price Foundation . His most recent article is in the Spring, 2009 edition.

Chris has also authored two items in peer-reviewed journals. The first is a letter published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology criticizing the conclusions of a study on saturated fat. The second is full-length article in a 2007 issue of the journal Medical Hypothese s in which he proposes a molecular mechanism of vitamin D toxicity.

He is currently a graduate student at the University of Connecticut, pursuing a PhD in Nutritional Science with a specialty in Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition. I predict that we will be hearing much more about Chris and his research in the future.

Chris talked with me for about an hour last week on the topic of cod liver oil and answered my long list of questions. The interview can be downloaded from iTunes, Zune, or Tivo or you can listen by clicking to the link below. He elaborated on the historic use of cod liver oil in preventing and curing disease, why it has fallen out of favor, recent attacks by the Vitamin D Council and Dr. Joseph Mercola, and the benefits of fermentation. I was very impressed with his depth of knowledge, scientific citation, and ability to synthesize information into layman’s terms. Please let me know what you think.

Here is Masterjohn’s website link to liver and cod liver oil. Kelly the Kitchen Kop also posted useful Q & A about fermented cod liver oil and Sally Fallon Morrell wrote an article on Vitamin A in cod liver oil December, 2008.

Colorado Rainwater Harvesting Update

Since we reported on rainwater collection last week, we discovered that Colorado recently made it legal for some homeowners to capture and collect the raindrops and snowflakes that fall on their own roofs.

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No GMO Challenge and Millions Against Monsanto

Be sure to sign up for the No GMO Challenge and let us know what difficulties you are having with it. Jon and I struggle with dining out since almost every restaurant uses canola or soy oils. We have to request that they use butter or choose menu items with no oil. We also avoid any corn or corn products. Organic Byte s has a good article about GMOs in “natural foods.” While you’re on their website, be sure to join their Millions Against Monsant o campaign.

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I just finished listening to your water harvesting podcast and I thought it was interesting to hear some cities outlaw harvesting water. Since they are out there I wanted to brag about my city. I live in Louisville, KY and our local sewer district actually encourages water harvesting . Not only do they sell rainbarrels they also have plans on their website for rain gardens and how to build one. I personally think it makes sense for cities to encourage this because it cuts down the cost for the sewer districts because will be less storm water to deal with. We have had a few bad years of flood in the past that have resulted in costly repairs by our sewer district. I think this program coincides with those incidents. Another good thing is you get a discount for buying multiple barrels so I have been able to convince my neighbor, mother in law and a friend to go in with us and get barrels. We plan on purchasing two ourselves and putting in a (preferrably edible) rain garden in our front yard. I think this is a great program and would encourage others out there to check out there municiple sewer district or parks department to see if they have similar programs.

Jaimelee Steurer (from facebook)

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Next Show

Next week Chris Masterjohn will talk to us about cholesterol facts and myths. This should be a great show!

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