Cod liver oil can be very beneficial if you have high cholesterol levels. High cholesterol levels increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Cod liver oil can reduce your risk of developing this kinds of cardiovascular problems, though it does not appear to directly affect cholesterol levels. Talk to your doctor before taking cod liver oil or other supplements to protect you against cardiovascular disease.
What Is Cod Liver Oil?
Cod liver oil is a supplement that is extracted from the liver of cod. Cod liver oil used to be used primarily as a vitamin supplement for children, but it has recently gained popularity for its omega-3 fatty acid content. Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of fat that can be found in some kinds of fish and various plant sources, including nuts, green leafy vegetables and beans.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease
One of the major reasons why high cholesterol levels are dangerous is that they increase your risk of developing cardiovascular problems, such as a heart attack or stroke. Consuming substances that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as cod liver oil, is one way to reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Not only does cod liver oil affect the levels of different fats in your blood, it also helps prevent blood clots that can trigger a heart attack or stroke.
Cod Liver Oil and Blood Lipids
The omega-3 fatty acids found in cod liver oil, known as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid are able to affect the levels of different fats or lipids in your blood. A 2002 article in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" showed that these omega-3 fatty acids can lower the levels of a kind of lipid known as triglycerides, which lowers your risk of atherosclerosis. However, the omega-3 fatty acids found in cod liver oil do not appear to have any impact on your cholesterol levels.
Safety
Although cod liver oil can be purchased without a prescription, it can be dangerous for some people. Cod liver oil is rich in vitamin A and high doses of vitamin A can be toxic for the body. Not only can vitamin A weaken your bones, in pregnant women it increases the risk of birth defects. Cod liver oil can also make it harder for your blood to clot, resulting in a tendency to bleed or bruise excessively. Talk to your doctor before taking cod liver oil or any other omega-3 fatty acid supplement.
References
- University of California-Berkeley: Cod Liver Oil
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Omega-3 Fatty Acids; Steven Ehrlich; 2009
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Effects of purified eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids on glycemic control, blood pressure, and serum lipids in type 2 diabetic patients with treated hypertension; Woodman et al.; November 2002
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