The Indications & Uses For A Dose Of Cod Liver Oil Capsules

The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, including cod liver oil, are beneficial in treating chronic illness such as hypertension and heart disease. Although some omega-3 fatty acids can be obtained from dietary sources, including walnuts and olive oil, cod liver and other fish oils contain two types of omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. Both DHA and EPA help lower triglyceride levels and slow plaque buildup in the arteries. Always check with your physician before taking any dietary supplements. The recommended daily dosage of cod liver oil capsules is 1 to 4 g, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Heart Disease

The omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil capsules can help reduce high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. Both high cholesterol and high triglycerides are risk factors for heart disease. In the January 2010 issue of "Current Atherosclerosis Reports," Dr. Eli Roth writes that omega-3 fatty acids can decrease the growth of arterial plaque, reduce the mortality rate of patients in congestive heart failure and help reduce the chance of sudden death due to arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat.

High Blood Pressure

There is some evidence that fish oil can have a modest effect in lowering hypertension, or high blood pressure. In the October 2007 issue of "Connecticut Medicine," Dr. Hagen Yang writes that fish oil was linked with "a small but significant decline in blood pressure, especially in those with hypertension." High blood pressure can be caused by blocked arteries, a condition that forces the heart to work harder to pump blood through the arteries and also increases arterial pressure. Fish oil helps clear the plaque that clogs arteries. Some physicians prescribe fish oil following heart transplants to help prevent hypertension.

Menstrual Pain

Taking fish oil supplements can help alleviate the symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea, or menstrual pain. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, women who take a daily 6-g dose of fish oil experience less menstrual pain than those who do not. Fish oil can help reduce inflammation. Taking fish oil supplements in combination with vitamin B12 not only improves menstrual pain, but can also alleviate the need for pain medication, according to the NIH.