Although cod liver oil makes up 7.1 percent of the fish oil consumed around the globe, it is less than 1 percent of the dietary supplement market in the U.S. Cod liver oil provides several health benefits, but due to its less-than-pleasing taste, it's easier to make it a part of your diet in capsule form. However, no standard recommended dosage for cod liver oil capsules exists.
Benefits
The primary reasons for taking cod liver oil capsules is that they're rich in vitamins A and D, both of which help to keep your skin, eyes and immune system healthy. However, they're also rich in omega-3 fats, though they get less respect for this nutritional benefit than oils in fish such as salmon.
Dosage
Some cod liver oil capsules can contain overly high levels of vitamin A, which can damage your liver, harm an unborn child and cause other health problems. It's best to seek advice from your doctor on the best individual dose for you. However, for capsules that contain 1,250 international units, or IU, of vitamin A, a safe dose is one capsule daily, according to Ray Sahelian, a physician and medical writer.
Side Effects and Interactions
Do not take cod liver oil capsules if you're allergic to fish or cod liver oil, which can cause symptoms such as breathing problems, hives, itching or swelling in your mouth, throat or hands. Also, seek medical advice before taking these supplements if you have a bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia, any breathing problems or if you're taking a blood-thinning medication such as warfarin.
Considerations
If you do not seek medical advice on dosage, make sure you do not exceed the recommended dose on the bottle. When shopping for cod liver oil capsules, look for those with package labels indicating that the vitamin A is reduced. Also, the oil in these capsules comes from cod liver, and the liver is an organ essential for filtering toxins. Whenever possible, choose brands that contain purified oil. The best way to take cod liver oil capsules is with food or milk, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
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