Packed with vitamins A and D, cod liver oil is a nutritional powerhouse. It also contains healthy fats in the form of omega-3 fatty acids. Although not used often today, research shows that ingesting cod liver oil provides spectacular benefits that enhance overall health.
Coronary Artery Disease
Research indicates that the omega-3 fatty acids found in cod liver oil have positive effects on coronary artery disease. In a study published in Annals of Internal Medicine, subjects with coronary artery disease received either omega-3 rich fish oil or a placebo for two years. Scientists cited that subjects consuming fish oil had greater regression of coronary artery disease compared with those ingesting a placebo.
Diabetes
Cod liver oil is one of the few good sources of vitamin D, a nutrient that many Americans with diabetes are deficient in. According to the Science Daily website, vitamin D improves blood glucose and insulin sensitivity, which helps prevent and manage diabetes; additionally, having adequate vitamin D levels decreases the risk for diabetes.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
In a study published in the journal Rheumatology, researchers investigated whether supplementing with cod liver oil decreases the consumption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Subjects were assigned either cod liver oil or a placebo for nine months. Scientists instructed participants to slowly reduce their NSAIDs intake. Researchers found that the patients in the cod liver oil group were able to reduce NSAIDs more than the placebo group.
Cancer
According to the International Journal of Cancer, cod liver oil supplementation for one year lowered the risk of death in patients with solid tumors. Furthermore, the study also reported that lung cancer patients who took cod liver oil along with other supplements, such as multivitamins, decreased the risk of death.
References
- Annals of Internal Medicine: The Effect of Dietary ω-3 Fatty Acids on Coronary Atherosclerosis
- Science Daily: Vitamin D Is the "It" Nutrient of the Moment
- PubMed.gov: Rheumatology: Cod Liver Oil (N-3 Fatty Acids) as a Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Sparing Agent in Rheumatoid Arthritis
- PubMed.gov: International Journal of Cancer: Cod Liver Oil, Other Dietary Supplements and Survival Among Cancer Patients With Solid Tumours
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