The omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is present in coldwater fish, such as tuna, sardines and salmon, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Fish oil supplements also contain DHA. Like DHA, the dietary supplement cod liver oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Before taking any kind of dietary supplement, talk to your physician since supplements containing DHA and cod liver oil may interfere with anticoagulant drugs or blood pressure medicines.
Reduces Inflammation
Consuming DHA and cod liver oil appears to reduce the inflammation associated with symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, according to United Kingdom researchers published in the May 2008 issue of "Rheumatology." B. Galarraga and colleagues found that 39 percent of rheumatoid arthritis patients who took 10g of cod liver oil reduced their daily dose of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines by more than 30 percent after 9 months, compared to only 10 percent of rheumatoid arthritis patients taking a placebo.
Suppresses Arrhythmias
Fish oil containing DHA decreases deaths from heart disease by stabilizing heart rhythms that could cause death, rather than by preventing buildup of plaque in the arteries, according to J. Breslow in the June 2006 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition." According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, arrhythmias affect millions of Americans, and more than 2 million people in the United States have a type of arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation.
Increases Cancer Survival
Cancer patients who take daily doses of cod liver oil may survive longer, according to Norwegian researchers published in the September 2009 issue of the "International Journal of Cancer." Patients with solid tumors and lung cancer who took cod liver oil daily for an entire year had a lower risk of death.
Prevents Chronic Diseases
According to the World's Healthiest Foods, consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA and cod liver oil may improve or even prevent chronic health disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder, asthma, diabetes, skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, Huntington's disease and multiple sclerosis.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: DHA
- Rheumatology; Cod Liver Oil (N-3 Fatty Acids) as an Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Sparing Agent in Rheumatoid Arthritis; Galarraga B; May 2008
- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; N-3 fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease; Breslow J; June 2006
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: Arrhythmia
- International Journal of Cancer; Cod Liver Oil, Other Dietary Supplements and Survival Among Cancer Patients With Solid Tumours; Skeie G; September 2009
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