While cod liver oil may not sound like an appealing dietary addition, it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that improve high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and reduce your risk of heart disease. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish oils, flax seed, canola oil and walnuts. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, up to 2 to 4 g per day, are required to reduce triglyceride levels.
Background
Triglycerides are your body's way of storing fat, and most triglycerides come from fats and other energy sources derived from foods. When you consume more calories than your body can use, the calories are converted to triglycerides and transported to fat cells for storage. These cells are then used to produce energy between meals, but excess levels can increase your risk for coronary artery disease. According to the American Heart Association, your triglyceride level should be less than 150mg/dL.
Function of Cod Liver Oil
The omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil lower triglyceride levels when consumed in high quantities. According to the AAFP, omega-3 fatty acids inhibit the production of triglycerides in the liver and can reduce triglyceride levels by 25 to 30 percent. Cod liver oil likely has minimal effects on other types of cholesterol. While 2 g of omega-3 fatty acids is needed to see beneficial effects on triglycerides, larger doses may have detrimental effects, such as an increased risk of bleeding and the risk of raising your low density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Sources of Cod Liver Oil
The beneficial omega-3 fatty acids found in cod liver oil can be obtained from direct fish ingestion or from fish oil tablets. While fish are an important dietary component, caution is warranted, given that fish may have high mercury levels or other contaminants. Most fish oil capsules come in 1 g doses, but three of these must be taken to provide 0.9 grams of omega-3 fatty acids. To treat high triglycerides, six to nine of these capsules must be taken daily.
Considerations
While omega-3 fatty acids are an excellent way to lower triglycerides, reducing the saturated fat and cholesterol content of your diet is also important. One way to increase omega-3 fatty acids while decreasing saturated fat is to substitute cod and other fish for red meat, such as beef. Decreasing your alcohol intake can also lower your triglyceride levels. If your triglyceride levels are still high despite lifestyle interventions, your physician may prescribe medications to further reduce your triglyceride level and optimize your heart health.
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