What Are The Benefits Of Taking Cod Liver Oil?

Cod liver oil is a nutritional supplement made from the liver of cod fish. It is high in the essential omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, and docasahexaenoic acid, DHA. It is also very high in both vitamin A and vitamin D. Due to its high vitamin A and D content, it provides a variety of health benefits that regular fish oils don't. Unfortunately, however, vitamin A and D are both fat-soluble vitamins which means that they are not easily excreted by the body and can be toxic in large doses. Therefore, cod liver oil should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner.

Prevention of Type 1 Diabetes

Cod liver oil may be beneficial for both pregnant and breastfeeding women. According to Weston Price, pregnant women who use cod liver oil, have infants with a lower risk of Type 1 diabetes. The "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" says that providing an infant with cod liver in the first year of life was also associated with a significantly lower risk of Type 1 diabetes. The journal states that the reduced risk likely stems from the anti-inflammatory effects of the omega-3s that are naturally found in cod liver oil.

Immunity and Brain Growth of Infants

Taking cod liver oil while breastfeeding may help to prevent infections in infants. Weston Price explains that mother's who supplement with cod liver oil increase the vitamin A levels of their breast milk, and vitamin A is a well known infection fighter. Supplementing with cod liver oil also increases the fatty acid profile of the mother's breast milk and the increased omega-3 levels helps to support the growth of the infants' brain. Too much vitamin A however can be very toxic to the infant, and breastfeeding mothers should take it with caution.

Healthy Skin

Cod liver oil may also be helpful for a variety of inflammatory skin conditions, such as psoriasis, dermatitis and acne. According to MayoClinic.com, the omega-3 fatty acids found in cod liver oil may reduce the inflammation that is associated with disorders of the skin. It may be especially beneficial for acne says Internet Health Library, because it contains two potent acne fighting ingredients: omega-3s and vitamin A. The site explains that many people with hormonal related acne are deficient in omega-3s. Taking cod liver oil can correct this deficiency, while, the vitamin A found in it will help to balance the hormones and improve overall skin health.

Additional Cod Liver Oil Benefits

According to Dr. Price, cod liver oil can also provide the following health benefits: the prevention of heart disease, cancer, learning disabilities, glaucoma, osteoporosis and infectious diseases; the building of strong bones; the improvements of brain function, memory, stress response, immune response, muscle pain, allergies, asthma and depression; and the maintenance of a healthy nervous system.

Cod Liver Oil and Vitamin D

Vitamin D is produced in your body when your skin is exposed to the sun. During the winter time your may become deficient in vitamin D and this can result in reduced immunity and in some people seasonal effective disorder. Due to the large amount of vitamin D in cod liver oil many physicians recommend taking it during the winter time to prevent deficiency. Conversely, cod liver oil is oftentimes discouraged as a supplement in the summertime because a vitamin D overdose may occur.