Why do most dietary supplements contain cod liver oil?
Cod liver oil is a nutrient-rich substance, packed with fatty acids and essential vitamins important for body health and many other benefits that help prevent serious diseases.
Continue reading this article on evercare to learn about the main benefits and the high nutritional value that cod liver oil and its extracted oil contain in detail.
What is cod liver oil?
Cod liver oil is extracted from the livers of cod fish found in the Atlantic Ocean and is used in many dietary supplements like Omega-3 supplements due to its richness in this fatty acid.
It also contains amounts of vitamins A and vitamins D, which led to its use in preparing the first medicine for treating rheumatism patients in 1789.
Later, the oil was used in various treatments, such as for rickets in 1824 and other treatments.
Cod liver oil is completely different from oils extracted from other types of fish.
These oils are derived from the tissues of fatty fish that live in deep cold waters, such as salmon, mackerel, or tuna oil.
While regular fish oil contains small amounts of Omega-3, it has other vitamins as well.
Nutritional Value of Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver oil is known for its high nutritional value due to its components, which include vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids that support the body and help replenish its need for these elements.
Each 100 grams of cod liver oil contains the following nutritional values:
- Calories: 40.6 kcal
- Fat: 4.5 g
- Saturated fat: 1.02 g
- Polyunsaturated fat: 1.01 g
- Monounsaturated fat: 2.1 g
- Vitamin A: 4500 IU
- Vitamin D: 450 IU
- Cholesterol: 25.6 mg
Recommended Amounts of Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver oil is derived from a fish called cod, and eating the whole fish is one of the best ways to get the oil.
However, if it's difficult to obtain or if you're someone who doesn't like eating fish, you can substitute it with supplements or IV Drip Therapy containing these important elements.
Doctors recommend consuming 500 mg of Omega-3 daily for regular individuals to maintain heart health.
For patients with high triglycerides, 20 mg of cod liver oil per day is recommended, and for individuals with high cholesterol, doctors prescribe 30 mg.
You can also read about The Role of Glutathione Supplements in Type 2 Diabetes
Most Famous Benefits of Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver oil has multiple health benefits for the body and its various organs.
Some of the key benefits include:
- Helps Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease:
The high Omega-3 content in cod liver oil helps improve heart health by reducing the levels of triglycerides in the blood.
It also lowers blood pressure in hypertensive patients and increases good cholesterol levels.
Furthermore, it protects the heart's arteries by preventing plaque buildup, which can lead to narrowing, heart attacks, and strokes.
- Reduces Inflammation:
The Omega-3 fatty acids help inhibit proteins that cause inflammation.
Additionally, the Vitamin A and D in cod liver oil have antioxidant properties, making it a useful supplement for preventing and treating joint pain, especially for rheumatoid arthritis patients.
- Improves Bone Health:
The high vitamin D content in cod liver oil helps strengthen and maintain bone health, particularly in people living in cold climates.
You can also read about Vitamin A for Children with Severe Measles
Benefits of Cod Liver Oil for Adults
In addition to the common benefits mentioned, scientific studies have proven other benefits of cod liver oil, including:
- Helps Reduce the Risk of Diabetes:
The vitamin D in cod liver oil helps reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
Studies on infants showed that supplementing with 2000 IU of vitamin D daily reduced the risk of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes by 88%.
It also helps regulate blood sugar and insulin resistance.
- Boosts Brain Function:
Cod liver oil is commonly used as a complementary treatment for depression, significantly reducing its symptoms.
- Helps Prevent Cancer:
The high vitamin D content in cod liver oil helps regulate cell growth and enables cells to communicate with one another, reducing the risk of cancer, particularly breast cancer.
Studies show that cod liver oil supplements help slow down the progression of the disease.
- Important for Pregnant Women:
Pregnant women often suffer from low vitamin D levels, which may lead to bone loss and joint pain.
Cod liver oil supplements help enhance bone health and reduce the risk of gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.
You can also read about The Impact of Coenzyme Q10 Supplements on Incidence and Mortality Rates in Heart Failure Patients
Benefits of Cod Liver Oil for Children
Children are particularly vulnerable to chronic diseases if they don't receive the necessary supplements during their developmental years.
Some benefits of giving cod liver oil supplements to children include:
- Helps protect against rickets.
- Regulates blood sugar levels, helping to prevent diabetes.
- Enhances brain health and cognitive function.
- Maintains eye health and vision.
- Stimulates the respiratory system and prevents infections.
You can also read about The Benefits of Nicotinamide Supplements in Alzheimer's Disease
FAQs About Cod Liver Oil
What does cod liver oil treat?
Cod liver oil helps reduce pain from rheumatoid arthritis.
When should children take cod liver oil?
It’s recommended to give cod liver oil to children in the morning after breakfast.
Does cod liver oil cause weight gain?
No, cod liver oil doesn't contain enough calories to lead to weight gain.
When do the results of cod liver oil appear?
The effects of cod liver oil typically begin to show after about 6 weeks of use.
