Children who grew up before the advent of chewable multivitamins may remember having to swallow spoonfuls of cod liver oil to prevent rickets, a bone disorder caused by low levels of vitamin D. While vitamin D is more easily given to children in the chewable form of their favorite cartoon character today, cod liver oil still has its uses. And since it's now available in capsules, it's much more palatable as well. Because cod liver oil contains large amounts of vitamin A, which can be harmful, ask your doctor before taking supplements.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Cod liver oil is still an excellent treatment or preventative for vitamin D deficiency. Decreased sun exposure and increased use of sunscreen has increased the risk of vitamin D deficiency, which can lead to soft, weakened and painful bones called rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Because breast milk contains very little vitamin D, babies fed only breast milk may develop the deficiency. Children who drink fortified milk normally get enough vitamin D, but children who don't drink milk may develop rickets, especially if they live at northern latitudes with less sun exposure.
Arthritis
The omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil may help reduce inflammation. Reducing inflammation may decrease the pain and disability of arthritis. Researchers from the Ninewells Hospital and Medical School in the United Kingdom studied the effects of cod liver oil on rheumatoid arthritis. The study, reported in the May 2008 issue of "Rheumatology," assessed the effect of cod liver oil on the amount of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication taken by patients with rheumatoid arthritis for 12 weeks. The group that took cod liver oil was able to reduce their NSAIDs intake by 39 percent, compared to 10 percent in the placebo group. Since NSAIDs can have serious side effects, researchers concluded that cod liver oil had benefit as an adjunct therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.
Cardiovascular Disease
Omega-3 fatty acids have a positive benefit on cholesterol levels and can reduce the risk of heart disease. Cod liver oil lowers triglyceride levels, reduces inflammation and decreases blood's ability to form clots. Clots that form at the site of atherosclerosis, plaque buildup on the inner walls of arteries, can cause stroke or heart attack.
Depression
A Norwegian study conducted by researchers from Haukeland University Hospital examined data from the Hordaland Health Study, which followed 21,835 people ages 40 to 49 and 70 to 74. The study, published in the August 2007 "Journal of Affective Disorders," found that subjects who took cod liver oil regularly experienced a depression rate of 2.5 percent compared to 3.8 of the general population that did not take cod liver oil. Researchers concluded that cod liver oil reduced depressive symptoms.
References
- UC Berkeley Wellness Letter: Cod Liver Oil
- "Rheumatology;" Cod Liver Oil (n-3 Fatty Acids) as a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Sparing Agent in Rheumatoid Arthritis; B. Galarraga, et al.; May 2008
- Mayo Clinic; Vitamin D; December 2010
- eMedTV; Cod Liver Oil; Kristi Monson; July 2008
- "Journal of Affective Disorders"; Associations Between Cod Liver Oil Use and Symptoms of Depression: the Hordaland Health Study; M. Raeder, et al.; August 2007
Member Comments