Cod liver oil, a type of fish oil once given as an unpalatable vitamin supplement before the advent of easier-to-swallow pills, still has its uses. Omega-3 fatty acids such as docosapentaenoic acid, or DHA, and eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, are found in cod liver oil as well as other fish oils, but cod liver oil also contains fat-soluble vitamins A and D. Because the oil comes from the liver of the fish, cod liver oil may contain a higher amount of contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxin.
Arthritis
Because cod liver oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, it has many of the same benefits as other fish oils. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, which contributes to pain in rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease. A May 2008 study produced in the May 2008 issue of "Rheumatology" by Dr. Bernat Gallaraga divided 97 patients with rheumatoid arthritis to two groups, one taking 10g of cod liver oil and the other taking placebo. After nine months, 39 percent in the cod liver oil group and 10 percent in the placebo group were able to reduce their non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication intake by more than 30 percent. A 2004 study conducted by Cardiff University found that cod liver oil reduced pain in 86 percent of patients waiting for knee of hip surgery compared to 26 percent reduction for those taking placebo.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Most of the vitamin D in fish is concentrated in the liver. For this reason, cod liver oil is high in vitamin D where regular fish oil, obtained from the whole fish, is not. Vitamin D deficiency has become a recognized health problem. However, cod liver oil also contains large amounts of vitamin A, which can increase the risk of bone fractures, among other effects, if taken in large amounts.
Depression
Omega-3 fatty acids may help decrease the risk of developing depression, a Norwegian study conducted by the Haukeland University Hospital looked at the benefits of cod liver oil on depression. Data from a large study of more than 21,000 people found that people who took cod liver oil daily had a lower risk of depression, 2.5 percent, over people who did not take cod liver oil, who had a depression rate of 3.8 percent.
Ear Infections
Children who take cod liver oil along with a multivitamin containing the mineral selenium may have fewer ear infections, the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary found in a study reported in the 2002 "Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology." The study found that supplementation decreased the frequency of ear infections as well as the number of days children needed to take antibiotics.
References
- Medical News Today: Cod Liver Oil Really Can Slow the Onset of Osteoarthritis -- Proof
- PubMed.gov: Cod Liver Oil (N-3 Fatty Acids) As an Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Sparing Agent in Rheumatoid Arthritis
- PubMed.gov: Associations Between Cod Liver Oil Use and Symptoms of Depression: the Hordaland Health Study
- UC Berkeley Wellness Letter: Cod Liver Oil
- New York Eye and Ear Infirmary: Cod Liver Oil and a Vitamin/Mineral tablet May Prevent Middle Ear Infections in Children
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