Taking supplements is a popular way to improve your health and lower your risk of various diseases. Cod liver oil is often taken because of its high omega-3 fatty acid content, but other sources of omega-3 fatty acids are also available. Talk to your doctor before taking any sort of supplement with omega-3 fatty acids.
Cod Liver Oil and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
One of the main reasons why people take cod liver oil is for its omega-3 fatty acid content. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in a variety of dietary sources, including fatty fish, green vegetables, flaxseed and other vegetable oils, beans and nuts. Your body doesn't make omega-3 fatty acids but they are important for controlling inflammation, blood clotting, growth, neural function, fertility, calcium transport and the levels of different fats in your bloods. Omega-3 fatty acids can be used to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and may also help treat inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Types of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Cod liver oil contains two different omega-3 fatty acids that are particularly active biologically in the human body: eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, also known as EPA and DHA. Omega-3 supplements may contain these same two omega-3 fatty acids, but they may also contain another omega-3 fatty acid known as alpha-linoleic acid or ALA. ALA primarily comes from plant sources and it must be converted into EPA and DHA to be active in the body.
Vitamins
One of the main differences between cod liver oil and other omega-3 fatty acid supplements is that cod liver oil contains large amounts of vitamin A. One teaspoon of cod liver oil can contain as much as 4,500 IU of vitamin A. Although vitamin A is important for the body, high doses can be toxic. For example, consuming more than 6,000 IU of vitamin A each day can weaken the bones and lead to fractures. For pregnant women, an intake of vitamin A greater than 10,000 IU per day increases the risk of birth defects.
Safety
Both cod liver oil and other omega-3 fatty acid supplements can be safe if taken in the right dosage, but talk to your doctor before taking any sort of omega-3 fatty acid product. High doses of omega-3 fatty acids can interfere with blood clotting, resulting in a tendency to bruise or bleed more easily. Talk to your doctor about the appropriate dosage and potential drug interactions before taking over-the-counter supplements.
Member Comments