Cod Liver Oil


Cod liver oil is commonly used as a nutritional supplement to increase a person's intake of essential nutritional elements. As the name suggests, cod liver oil is oil extracted from the livers of cod fish. In the extraction process, cod livers are steam cooked and then pressed to remove the oil.

Benefits of Cod Liver Oil

In the past, cod liver oil has been known as a remedy for children, but its health benefits have been found to extend to people of all ages. It is considered good for the heart because it contains substantial amounts of polyunsaturated fats (good fats) called Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 is typically found in fresh fish; however, in the modern day, many fish are caught from water sources that contain high amounts of harmful substances such as mercury, which has no taste but can be extremely toxic. Cod liver oil is often recommended as an alternative to fish. Omega-3 fatty acids must be eaten in foods or dietary supplements because the human body possesses no chemical processes to produce them. Cod liver oil is known to contain Omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to proper body function, and other health benefits have also been noted. Though not conclusively substantiated, some claim that cod liver oil can help prevent cancer, treat rheumatoid arthritis, and even help control depression or other mental disorders.

The primary difference between cod liver oil and fish oil, which is extracted from the entire body of the fish (as opposed to just the liver), is that cod liver oil is rich in vitamins A and D. The body typically receives sufficient vitamin D through exposure to natural sunlight, but people living in areas without adequate sun exposure could benefit from the vitamin D contained in cod liver oil. For areas that lack sunlight in certain parts of the year, a mixed regimen of cod liver oil in the winter and fish oil in sunnier time periods is recommended.

Purchasing Cod Liver Oil

It should be noted that the Food and Drug Administration recommends a maximum dosage of 2000 mg of Omega-3 per day, as an overdose of Omega-3 can lead to poisoning by the trace amounts of metals found in some Omega-3. Many nutritionists recommend a higher dosage, with the caveat that only high quality supplements should be purchased. The highest quality cod liver oil and fish oil supplements contain virtually no contaminants, which are measured in parts per billion or parts per trillion. The measuring is done by the International Fish Oils Standard. Oils of the highest quality are usually distilled through a process called molecular distillation. Cod liver oil capsules should be stored in a sealed container and kept in a cool, dark place. A refrigerator is best.

By Doug Vanisky           


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