Cod liver oil, a fish oil available as supplements or a liquid, contains omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids benefit health in several ways, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. These essential fats, found in fish as well as nuts, improve brain function and cognitive performance and reduce inflammation throughout the body.
Protects Bones
Drinking cod liver oil could protect against bone loss. According to a UK study conducted by H. Macdonald and colleagues, published in the May 2008 issue of the journal "Bone," adult women that consumed a diet rich in vitamin D-packed cod liver oil had no changes in bone mineral density or bone loss, even when they lived in cold, dark climates where sun exposure was minimal. Consuming cod liver oil supplements also reduces the risk of hip fracture, according to the Weston A. Price Foundation.
Prevents Arthritis Pain
Drinking cod liver oil may relieve the joint pain and stiffness associated with arthritis, too. According to Scottish researcher B. Galarraga and colleagues, published in the May 2008 issue of the journal "Rheumatology," 39 percent of rheumatoid arthritis patients taking cod liver needed about 1/3 less anti-inflammatory medicine after nine months. In addition, other studies indicate that taking cod liver oil supplements improve stiffness upon awakening, joint swelling and stiffness associated with rheumatoid arthritis, according to the Weston A. Price Foundation.
Reduces Diabetes Risk
Children that consumed cod liver oil during the first year of life had a significantly lower risk of developing type 1 diabetes, according to Stene and researchers from Norway, published in the December 2003 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition." The researchers suggested that the anti-inflammatory properties of this fish oil played a role in the reduced risk of diabetes.
Improves Infant Health
The children of mothers that drink cod liver oil while breastfeeding may have better nutritional intake, higher intelligence and a reduced risk of ear and respiratory infections, according to the Weston A. Price Foundation. Babies born to mothers that drink cod liver oil during pregnancy tend to have heavier weights, an indicator of a reduced risk of disease in later life.
References
- University of California Berkeley: Cod Liver Oil
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- "Bone"; Vitamin D Status in Postmenopausal Women Living at Higher Latitudes in the UK in Relation to Bone Health, Overweight, Sunlight Exposure and Dietary Vitamin D; Macdonald HM; May 2008
- Weston A. Price Foundation: Cod Liver Oil: Setting the Record Straight
- "Rheumatology"; Cod Liver Oil (n-3 Fatty Acids) as an Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Sparing Agent in Rheumatoid Arthritis; Galarraga B et al.; May 2008
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