There are a number of different supplements that you can take to add different vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to your body. One of these is known as cod liver oil, which contains certain important vitamins as well as other substances that can improve your overall health. You must take care when taking multivitamins with cod liver oil due to the risk of vitamin toxicity.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
One of the main benefits that cod liver oil provides is a dose of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of fat that can be very beneficial for your cardiovascular health. Cod liver oil is potentially effective for lowering your triglyceride levels, RxList.com notes; lowering your triglyceride levels can decrease your risk of developing heart disease. Some people believe that omega-3 fatty acids can help treat other conditions, such as arthritis and lupus, but there is not enough scientific evidence to support that omega-3 fatty acids are helpful for these conditions.
Other Vitamins
Cod liver oil can also be a good source of vitamins A and D, Trusted.MD explains. Vitamin D is needed for your body to absorb calcium. Vitamin D can be obtained from diet and can also be synthesized by the body when you are exposed to sunlight, so cod liver oil can be a useful supplement during winter months when there is less sunlight. Vitamin A is important for the health of your retina, skin and for maintaining your DNA.
Cod Liver Oil and Multivitamins
You should be careful when taking cod liver oil because some forms have high amounts of vitamin A, Trusted.MD notes. If you are also taking multivitamins that have high amounts of vitamin A, you may be at risk of developing vitamin A toxicity. For example, some types of cod liver oil have more than 4,500 IU of vitamin A per teaspoon, and consuming 6,000 IU of vitamin A or more can interfere with bone growth, the University of California Berkeley notes, and taking more than 10,000 IU daily can also cause birth defects in babies if taken by pregnant women.
Other Safety Concerns
One risk associated with taking cod liver oil is that, particularly when taken in large quantities, it can interfere with blood clotting. This can cause nosebleeds as well as easy bruising and bleeding, RxList.com notes. You should also be careful about taking cod liver oil along with certain medications, such as drugs for high blood pressure or blood thinners. Before taking cod liver oil, talk to your doctor and tell him about all other medications you are taking, including multivitamins and herbs.
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