Fish Oil

What is Cod Liver Oil?

Cod liver oil is a type of oil that is obtained from the cod fish. The oil has gained popularity over the last few years because of the healthy omega-3 fatty acids that is found in the oil. Cod liver oil also has very high levels of vitamin A and vitamin D. Cod liver oil is available in many different levels of quality and the level of quality of the cod liver oil that you obtain will dictate the flavor of the cod liver oil and the way that it smells. If the oil is of the highest quality, then the color of the oil should be a light yellow and it should have either a mild fishy taste or a taste of blandness. There are times that cod liver oil can be found with flavorings, so that ingesting the oil for its benefits is easier.

History of Cod Liver Oil

Cod liver oil has been utilized for centuries and was initially used by those who lived in fishing villages in the countries of Scotland, Ireland, Iceland, and Newfoundland. Those who were poor initially used cod liver oil as a fuel in their lamps and would coat their leathers with the oil to soften them. Fisherman were also known to run cod liver oil on as a way to help with arthritic pain and conditions that were affecting their skin.

Cod Liver Oil Benefits

What are health benefits of using cod liver oil? Because cod liver oil has been used for centuries, as you can imagine many people have found various uses for cod liver oil and that includes multiple cod liver oil benefits. Various cod liver oil benefits include that cod liver oil works to boost your immune system, improves the health of your eyesight, improves the health of your skin, and helps you to maintain bones that are strong and healthy. Other cod liver oil benefits include that it is known to help relieve the pain and swelling associated with arthritis, improves how your brain is functioning, and works as a natural antidepressant within your system.

In addition to those cod liver oil benefits, it has also been found to lower the risk of diabetes in the children whose moms ingested the oil during pregnancy, is currently being used in the long-term therapy of multiple sclerosis, and has been shown in one study to lower the death rate of women with cancer that were ingesting cod liver oil.

Side Effects of Cod Liver Oil

While there are lots of health benefits of cod liver oil, you should also be aware that there are a few side effects that are associated with the oil. The omega-3 fatty acids that cod liver oil is popular for has been known to cause clotting issues which can increase the risk of hemorrhagic strokes and internal bleeding. In addition because cod liver oil is so rich with vitamin D and vitamin A, taking an oil supplement increases your risk of actually overdosing on these vitamins. Such an overdose can interfere with the growth of bones and can even cause death. Cod liver oil is also known to cause and increase in blood sugar levels, so those with diabetes should be cautious about ingesting the oil. It should also be noted that the oil is high in calories.

If you are considering whether or not you would benefit from a cod liver oil supplement, then you need to consider the picture of your overall health. Ask yourself if you feel that the benefits that you may get would outweigh any risks associated with an oil supplement. You may also want to take the time to discuss whether or not a cod liver oil supplement is right for you and your health with your doctor.