Modern moms may have abandoned grandmother's practice of insisting her children swallow a spoonful of cod liver oil every morning, but scientific research shows that cod liver oil supplementation may help treat a variety of medical conditions. While there is some evidence that certain dosages of cod liver oil yields benefits, there are side effects and potential problems associated with its regular use. Consult your doctor about the possible dangers of supplementing with cod liver oil.
Uses
According to the U.C. Berkeley "Wellness Guide to Dietary Supplements," consuming cod liver oil regularly is purported to help prevent cancer, depression and the onset of Alzheimer's disease but scientific studies point to cod liver oil being potentially effective at treating only two conditions -- arthritis and cardiovascular disease. Cod liver oil, like other fish oils, contains a high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid. DHA, inhibit one of the enzymes responsible for inflammation and pain in arthritis sufferers. Cod liver oil's omega-3 fats also decrease blood pressure and act as natural blood thinners, preventing the development of blood clots.
Recommended Dosages
There is no set standard for a safe regular dosage of cod liver oil, particularly since the amount of omega-3 fatty acids you may consume varies widely depending on the form: 10 mL of cod liver oil may contain up to 2,000 mg of the fatty acids, while cod liver oil capsules may only provide 300 mg of the fats each. The Mail Online reports that health professionals recommend consuming 650 mg of both EPA and DHA daily, with DHA ideally making up 300 mg of the total, but cod liver oil supplementation may be associated with an increased risk of developing other serious health problems. The British Nutrition Foundation scientist Anna Denny advises that children should not take cod liver oil supplements since they contain vitamin A levels that may be toxic to a child.
Possible Side Effects
Medline Plus warns that supplementing with any type of fish oil, including cod liver oil, can cause side effects including diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, bad breath, nosebleeds and unusual rashes. If you are taking medications for high blood sugar, high blood pressure, anticoagulant drugs or orlistat, you should avoid cod liver oil since it may interfere with the drugs' function. Additionally, cod liver oil may exacerbate the symptoms of bipolar disorder, liver disease, depression and AIDS.
Considerations
One tsp. of cod liver oil contains 1,350 mcg of vitamin A. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin A for healthy adult men and women is much lower, between 700 and 900 mcg daily. High vitamin A intake has been linked in several studies to an increase in the risk of developing osteoporosis. Elderly people using cod liver oil supplementation to ease arthritis pain should only do so under the supervision of a doctor to avoid weakening their bones. In addition, pregnant women consuming high levels of vitamin A may increase their risk of having a child with birth defects. Experts advise that women who may become pregnant should avoid taking cod liver oil supplements that raise their vitamin A intake over 770 mcg daily. Consult your doctor before using any form of cod liver oil.
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