For GAPSters, NCM recommends three different types of oils. Although NCM does not recommend specific brands, this point gets so confusing for so many of us, I am going to list some potential sources for each, each of which is available either online or in your local health or whole foods store.
Note: The items listed here are based on the analysis of NuTriVene or myself. Please feel free to check out the ratios of any other brand as well, and to post it to the comments section below, for potential incorporation into the list.
a. A good seed/nut oil blend in the ratio of 2:1 of omega-3:omega-6 fatty acids.
I have so far not been able to find a supplement offering the 2:1 ratio.
Renew Life’s OilSmart EFA Blend offers approximately 4:1, as does Yes Organic Ultimate EFAs, which is offered by gapsdiet.com to residents of the USA and Canada and by nutrivene.com to all other countries.
b. Cod liver oil to supply EPA, DHA, vitamin A and vitamin D.
Most GAPSters use Green Pastures’Blue Ice Fermented CLO (most preferring plain), which is offered by gapsdiet.com to residents of the USA and Canada and by nutrivene.com to all other countries.
In the November 2010 edition of her book, Dr Natasha recommends on page 284:
- if available to you, use a fermented cod liver oil;
- dose according to manufacturer recommendations (varying for adult, child, pregnant, lactating)
- doubling this dose for (only) the first few weeks of taking it
If fermented CLO is not available to you, then looking for any with a ratio of 10 units Vit A to 1 unit Vit D, dosing according to manufacturer’s directions.
c. Fish oil with higher ratio of EPA to DHA, as more EPA seems to be beneficial for GAPS patients. There are no toxic levels for these oils.
Nordic Naturals ProEFA is offered by gapsdiet.com to residents of the USA and Canada and by nutrivene.com to all other countries.
Health First’s Omega-First Triple Fish Oil and Acenta NutraSea are another two that meet the criteria.
For “a”, I use Barlean’s Omega Twin Balance. The ingredients are 100% unrefined, unfiltered, organic flaxseed oil, herbicide/pesticide-free borage seed oil. 6415 mg omega-3 and 2700 mg omega-6.
For “c” I use Carlson’s Very Finest Fish Oil. You can get this at vitacost.com for the insanely affordable price of $22.35 (16.9 fl. oz/ 500 ml). 1 tsp has 800 mg EPA and 500 mg DHA. I give my son 2 tsp a day.
HI Baden,
I think I have been confused from the beginning about the supplements. I should be working with a doctor but I’m not, so I”m figuring this out as I go along.
I feel like my brain fog is lifting enough now that I am able to actually look at it more closely. I didn’t even realize that we should be taking the nut/seed oil so thank you!
One thing I noticed in your post is that you wrote for a)
2:1 of omega-3:omega-6 fatty acids.
I think you should switch it to:
2:1 of omega-6:omega-3 fatty acids – because after reading about the YES oil, they say that the ratio should be higher in 6′s than 3′s. I believe this is just a typo but it was a little confusing for me since I am trying to figure everything out.
Thanks so much!
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
Thank you so much for submitting this. I’ve just double-checked the info in Dr Campbell-McBride’s book and it does say “a good seed/nut oil blend in the ratio of 2:1 of omega-3:omega-6 fatty acids”. I haven’t been informed of any updates to this to date, but will keep watching for any.
I appreciate you bringing this to my attention!
All my best,
Baden
Wouldn’t the supplement taken depend partly on the diet? Nuts and seeds are high in Omega-6′s so if you’re eating a lot of those, maybe you need less in a supplement. If you’re eating a lot of fish, maybe you’d need less Omega-3′s in a supplement. (Maybe this makes it even more confusing!) My general assumption for years has been that I need more Omega-3′s in a supplement because my diet is higher in Omega-6′s.
Michael
Hi Baden,
I’m just trying to understand all of this stuff. When I read about it on the gapsdiet.com, this is what it says about the ratio:
From the Yes Organic Ultimate EFAs write up on gapsdiet.com:
“Furthermore, and of extreme importance is the fact that you can easily overdose on excess omega 3, which can cause serious health problems. More than 97% of your body needs at least a 4/1 ratio in favor of unadulterated parent omega 6 over parent omega 3 because that is what your tissues and organs are made of.”
I am just confused that this is on the GAPS site while Dr. CMB says to do the contrary.
Any insight into this is greatly appreciated!
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
I suggest you direct that question to the owners of gapsdiet.com, through the email address provided on their website. They may be able to clarify for you they statement they have published on their site.
In another post, you asked about the best way to contact me. It is through this blog or through the GAPShelp Yahoo Support List.
All my best,
Baden
The prices of fish oil capsules has risen significantly. I am giving my child 2 capsules a day to help him with math. Does anybody know where I an find an cheap solution? By the way, it is great. His grade went up 2 points after consuming fish oil capsules.
Udo’s Choice Oil 3-6-9 Blend contains the 2:1 ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6.
Ingredients: Flax oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, coconut oil, evening primrose oil (13 mg GLA per Tbsp.), rice germ and bran oil, soy lecithin (GMO-free), oat germ and brand oil and tocotrienols.
I found it at vitacost.com: $36.63 for 32 ounces.
Only just placed my order today so I cannot testify to flavor, effectiveness, etc. Was just pleased to find the correct ratio. If anyone knows any reason why this product is not appropriate for GAPS, please comment.
Thanks for everyone’s thoughtful contributions to this growing set of resources.
Kim
Hi Baden, with regards to Blue Ice Fermented CLO. What is a good dose to give a toddler? And also do we have to give both Cod liver oil and Fish oils? ( I thought they were the same). Thank you very much!!!Teo
Hi Teo,
With all dosing questions, please contact the manufacturer or seller of any given product.
Yes, Dr Natasha recommends both CLO and fish oil, plus a nut and seed oil.
All my best,
Baden
That is great! Thank you!! I got the impression that we can use either, not all. Teo
I would aslo like to add another Fish Oil called Eskimo3 which meet the criteria for fish oil. It is a very good Swedish brand.
Teo, UK
About the Udo’s choice oil mentioned above; it looks like a nice oil, but can you do rice germ and bran oil and oat germ on GAPS?
Hi Molly,
Quality *oils* of foods are generally fine for GAPS, but do avoid the germ. Thank you for pointing this out!
All my best,
Baden
HI Baden: ON what stage of intro do we begin adding EFA’s?
We are starting intro tomorrow (!!!) and I am making charts and lists to keep all this info organized. I have searched the books, yahoo group and this site all afternoon (fun!) but I have yet to locate the timing of introducing the oils.
Thanks for all you do! ~ Lisa
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for letting me know about this gap in information!
I have now incorporated the answer to this question here:
http://gapsguide.com/book/book-updates/
under ‘P. 35 – Intro – Supplements In (Removing For Intro, Reintroducing or Starting)’
Please let me know if this covers it.
All my best,
Baden
Thanks, Baden! This explains it perfectly.
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone can direct me to a quality CLO besides the fermented kind? We cannot always afford FCLO, so I am wondering what is the next best thing?
Thanks so much
Nicole
Hi Nicole,
Personally, I really trust nutrivene.com Its (non-fermented) cod liver oils are listed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPRfpyu6ITg
All my best,
Baden
I know this is a post regarding specifically fatty acid SUPPLEMENTS, but I’m getting a little bit of a mixed message on something. Is it strictly gaps-illegal to use sunflower/safflower oil in making mayo? I know Dr. NCM says to use olive oil, but I tried that once, and it did not go so well. The flavor was REALLY strong (My husband’s family grows olive trees and presses oil, and the oil is really strong, with a bite to it) The mayo was basically green. I can’t use it the way I would normally use a mayo. So in the interest of finding a more neutral oil, what exactly is allowed? I see almond oil on the recommended food list, so possibly that? It wouldn’t be neutral, but at least not so bitter. What about somehow pressing your own sunflower oil? Does anyone on GAPS do something like this? I would be really happy if I didn’t have to give up mayo completely.
Hi Summoora,
As far as I know, it’s fine to use any oil. Some (olive, coconut, etc) are more beneficial than others, but I think any can be used, as preferred in various recipes.
All my best,
Baden
Great! That really eases my conscience. When I got to the section on fragile oils, I started regretting my safflower oil purchase. I got your book today (great job!) and it mentioned very briefly detoxing during pregnancy. I had a couple of questions about that. 1. Should all juicing be out during pregnancy? Or should it just be limited to less powerful juices? I’ll probably juice anyways (being a juice addict, it makes more sense to at least focus on making my own instead of buying Minute Maid or something.), but still good to know. 2. Detox baths. I’m a little confused on the way these work, and therefore confused on whether they are good to do during pregnancy. I understand that die-off is bad for the baby, so die-off relief seems like the logical choice for prevention. But if it draws more toxins out in the process, maybe not? I’d love some clarification on pregnancy-related GAPS issues. The textbook is sort of limited on this specific info as well. I guess it’s hard to cover all the niches of a niche program, but pregnancy seems like a major one, as so many of us start because of our children. Do you have any tips?
Hello Baden,
I have this question about coconut flour, and really didn´t know where to put it. sorry that I write it here. Hope you can help me. I have searched everywhere for the answer, but couldn´t find it.
Is coconut (meat and flour) allowed in the introduction diet, for someone with gut dysbiosis? I have gut dysbiosis and for this reason I avoid fruits and nuts at the moment.( I am at stage 3 of the introduction diet). I wonder if coconut can be considered diffenrently, as the oil in the coconut has antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Thanks a lot in advance for your answer.
Hi Deborah,
Coconut (meat, flour, etc) is a great GAPS food, but coconut flour and coconut oil are not suitable for intro. The flour is very fibrous and aggravates an unhealed gut, triggering diarrhea in many. Coconut oil is -as you note- strongly healing, anti-yeast, etc, and triggers too much die-off in the early stages. Please do use these foods -the flour in moderation, the oil daily- but only after several months of healing, including one go at intro. Fresh coconut meat, though, might be fine in intro.
Generally, anything not listed in the intro progression is not to be used during intro.
All my best,
Baden