Cod liver oil is a concentrated oil from the fresh liver of Atlantic cod or other fish from the cod family. Cod liver oil contains vitamins A and D3 and unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
One capsule of cod liver oil contains an average of 300-1250 IU of vitamin A, therefore 2 capsules already cover the daily requirement for this vitamin.
Cod liver oil
has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system: It increases the level of good cholesterol, helps control the bad cholesterol, and regulates blood pressure. It strengthens immunity and has a beneficial impact on the brain and the accurate functioning of eyesight.
It is believed that it can also improve the condition of patients with multiple sclerosis and promote increased cell sensitivity to insulin in patients with metabolic disorders.
Unsaturated fatty acids from the omega-3 and omega-6 groups provide the body with the building blocks for the production of anti-inflammatory hormones, improving the immune system's functioning. Of course, supplementation is only one element of enhancing immunity; it should be combined with a healthy diet and exercise.
However, cod liver oil and other vitamins cannot be used during antibiotic therapy because they support not only the weakened body but also the bacteria or viruses that cause the disease. Therefore, cod liver oil and other vitamins should be administered after the antibiotic treatment is completed—then, they will support the regeneration process.
Cod liver oil also has a good influence on the brain. It can stop the development of conditions associated with memory loss, such as dementia or Alzheimer's. It should also be used by people who work mentally because the substance allows you to concentrate better and perform your duties faster.
It is worth bearing in mind that the formation of brain and spinal cord connections occurs as early as the 3rd week of pregnancy, and the division of the brain into hemispheres takes place in the 6th-7th week. For this reason, the expectant mother should perhaps support the development of the fetus by taking appropriate doses of good cod liver oil.
According to experts, the first three years are the most significant in a child's brain development. It is worth remembering that in the first year of life, the brain reaches 3/4 of the size of an adult's brain. This is also when intensive changes in the type and number of synapses (i.e., connections between neurons) occur, which condition the brain's efficient functioning. Omega-3 acids contained in cod liver oil positively affect this process.
It has been proven that children who are supplemented with omega-3 and omega-6 acids learn to read faster. In addition, they can be observed to have more neat handwriting than their peers. Additionally, this group of children has a higher level of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), a compound that is a biochemical indicator of brain development.
Vitamin A can prevent eye diseases, including macular degeneration, the most common cause of vision loss in adults and seniors. Its deficiency can also cause poor vision at dusk, so-called night blindness, burning and drying of the conjunctiva, and even corneal ulceration.
Omega-3 acids, in turn, are a component of the retina. It is suspected that children who do not eat fish may be more susceptible to vision defects. In turn, their deficiency in a pregnant woman's diet can lead to retinopathy of prematurity (which can even lead to complete vision loss).
Vitamin D contained in cod liver oil participates in the body's calcium and phosphorus metabolism. It reduces the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and consequently – the proper formation of the skeleton and teeth. Therefore, it is recommended for children and adolescents during the growth period. Cod liver oil is also used to prevent rickets because it stimulates the regeneration processes and slows down the destruction of all tissues (including cartilage and epithelium) and in treating bone tissue calcification disorders. In older people, it can prevent osteoporosis.
Traditional cod liver oil is typically suitable for children over four. That said, flavored variations are available in pharmacies that can be administered in small doses to infants from six weeks old.
Drinking cod liver oil or any other form of oil – thanks to the omega-3 acids it contains – helps improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Essential unsaturated fatty acids can reduce the concentration of triglycerides in the blood and lower blood pressure.
When it comes to skincare, cod liver oil does wonders. An ointment form is available without a prescription at pharmacies, primarily for aiding wound healing and assisting with the initial stages of pressure sores or frostbite. Capsules, thanks to their vitamin A content, are particularly beneficial for postmenopausal women, as they nourish the skin, helping to prevent excessive dryness and keratinization.
Cod liver oil is suitable for many individuals, especially those with increased nutritional needs. It includes children and adolescents during their growth spurts, as well as anyone who may be weakened – be it the elderly, those recovering from illness, or individuals leading a stressful lifestyle, which can include habits like alcohol consumption and smoking.
In the past, cod liver oil for children was often associated with unpleasant experiences, maybe due to its taste. Fortunately, today’s options include liquid forms with a variety of flavors that make it much easier for children to take. Older kids can also opt for capsules designed for swallowing.
For adults, there are choices between tablets and liquid cod liver oil. It's essential to check the composition because not all tablets offer the same benefits; they can vary based on the manufacturer. Tablets are generally recommended for adults who have no difficulty swallowing. On the other hand, liquid cod liver oil remains a favored choice for children and seniors.
Cod liver oil should only be consumed in quantities advised by the manufacturer. Long-term use of too high a dose can lead to an overdose of vitamin A or D. This leads to hypervitaminosis, which can manifest itself, among other things, in lack of appetite, weight gain, polyuria, enlarged liver and spleen, neurological disorders, and headaches.
Cod liver oil should be avoided by individuals with hypercalcemia or kidney stones, as well as those already taking vitamin A and D supplements. Additionally, it is not advisable for people on strong anticoagulant medications, as these can extend bleeding time. Individuals with sarcoidosis are advised to consult a physician before using cod liver oil.
When reaching for cod liver oil, you should take care of the quality and appropriate form. Liquid cod liver oil is considered the best because this supplement does not contain additional substances present in, for example, a capsule. However, not everyone can stand the specific taste and smell of the oil. In such cases, you can decide on other forms of this preparation:
The dose of cod liver oil that should be taken depends on two factors, namely:
Of course, age must also be taken into account. Cod liver oil for kids should be gradually introduced from 2.5 ml to 5 ml during the first 6 months. After the 4th week of life, the recommended doses start at the 2.5 ml above. Then, within 2-5 months, raising the amount to 5 ml is recommended. Adults should take 5 ml of cod liver oil daily, containing 1.2 g of fatty acids, 250 µg of vitamin A, 15 µg of vitamin D, and 3 mg of vitamin E5.
When using the preparation, the right time is still a question. There is no single answer to this, but it is recommended to consume the product with a meal and at a fixed time.
The safety of cod liver oil largely hinges on its omega-3 fatty acid content. Adverse effects usually result from excessive use of cod liver oil, which is a wealth of vitamins. For this reason, overdoing it with its dose can contribute to hypervitaminosis (vitamin overdose). To avoid this, following the leaflet in the package is enough.
In addition, it is necessary to consider the harmfulness of cod liver oil, which usually results from products that are not transparent in providing the sources of its acquisition. For this reason, to avoid the oxidative effect, which creates harmful free radicals for the body, it is necessary to reach for preparations made from high-quality cod.
Due to the anticoagulant effect of omega-3 acids, the source of which is cod liver oil, some concerns apply to people with an increased tendency to bleed (primarily those taking acetylsalicylic acid and c*********l).
The first thing we should pay attention to when choosing a product with cod liver oil is the source of the oil. Cod liver oil is usually referred to as oils from the liver of codfish. Providing general information that the product contains fish oil reduces the quality of the product and the credibility of its properties.
Providing general information that the product contains fish oil reduces the quality of the product and the credibility of the properties of the product. In addition to the source of the oil, the amount of oil consumed per capsule is also significant.
It should not be forgotten that products with cod liver oil contain fat-soluble vitamins, mainly vitamins A and D3. Moreover, some manufacturers enrich the preparations with an additional amount of synthetic vitamins, so the content of these ingredients should be taken into account. This will decrease the risk of possible overdose, especially of vitamin A. This is especially important for pregnant women, where the supply of too much vitamin A can damage the fetus.
It is worth paying attention to the content of DHA and EPA, which are mainly responsible for cod liver oil's health-promoting properties.
Cod liver oil is a relatively sensitive product. Storage at the wrong temperature and exposure to sunlight causes oxidation and spoilage of the oil. Choose products with an extended expiry date and buy cod liver oil in a pharmacy, which must ensure the appropriate temperature for storing the products offered. It will decrease the risk of purchasing outdated cod liver oil products.
It is worth checking whether data on the content of heavy metals (e.g., cadmium, lead, mercury) and other contaminants (e.g., dioxins) in a given product is available. The European Union has set upper permissible limits for these products, and each product approved for the market must meet statutory requirements.
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