Cod liver oil is an exceptional way to incorporate vitamins A and D as well as DHAs and EPAs into your diet. This healthy supplement originates from the actual liver of cod fish and is processed into pill, capsule and liquid form before it is taken. The oil itself should appear as a pale or dull looking yellow color and should taste relatively “fishy” but in a mild sense. The benefits of cod liver oil have been known for many years and it is primarily used to help with arthritis (as the oil contains large amounts of Omega-3s which serve as anti-inflammatories), acne, skin conditions, bones, heart, digestion and brain health.
Why Should I Take Cod Liver Oil?
The three main reasons you should be taking this supplement are as follows:
Vitamin A – Helps with vision, digestive health, skin and acne conditions as well helping to maintain strong mucous linings in the body, such as the ones found in the digestive tract. All of these systems in your body depend on a steady, dependable source of Vitamin A to work and function properly. If an individual were to become deficient in Vitamin A, it could lead to things such as night blindness, poor vision and skin conditions as well as poor digestive tract function and absorption. Conditions of the skin such as burns, acne and other issues need Vitamin A in order to heal fully and repair; the same holds true for digestive issues. This vitamin is also known as Retinol.
Vitamin D – We all know Vitamin D as being the most essential vitamin to bone health but what you may not have known is that it is also responsible for maintaining and strengthening the immune system; it is also responsible for helping to help the body keep normal blood sugar levels as well as preventing diabetes. A recent study was done where they found pregnant and nursing mothers decreased the chances of their babies being born with diabetes. Having inadequate amounts of this vitamin can lead to brittle bones, kidney and liver problems, rickets and even osteoporosis. Including a good cod liver oil supplement should give you all of the Vitamin D your body needs.
EPA – Also known as Eicosapentaenoic Acid is an Omega-3 fatty acid. This particular fatty acid is so vital because studies have shown that it helps promote brain health and also helps with mood swings, depression, heart health and arthritis since this fatty acid acts as an anti-inflammatory in the body. The biggest findings concerning EPA is by far the ability to help with arthritis and conditions such as depression, suicide and other mental health issues. The best cod liver oil is going to include the highest amounts of EPA and DHAs needed by your body to function.
DHA – Docosahexaenoic Acid is also another Omega-3 fatty acid that has shown to help with promoting brain, eye, nervous system and mental as well as emotional health. Leading studies have shown that taking DHA can help with depression and a strong nervous system.
Cod Liver Oil Side Effects
The only real side effect you should be aware of before you buy cod liver oil is that taking too much of it can cause toxicity. Toxicity is a result of taking too high of a dosage for an extended period of time or even suddenly and acutely. Too much Vitamin A and D can have dangerous effects on the body so caution must be used when determining how much of this or any supplement to take. You should always double check with your health care professional on which dosage is the best for you, but generally it is recommended that an individual take 1,000mg of cod liver oil either once or twice daily.