Many people use cod liver oil capsules to add vitamins and other nutrients to their diets. Not only can cod liver oil help treat some of the complications of diabetes, there is some evidence that giving cod liver oil to children may help prevent the onset of some kinds of diabetes. Talk to your doctor before using cod liver oil.
What is Cod Liver Oil?
Cod is known as a fatty fish, which means that it contains omega-3 fatty acids. Cod liver oil is extracted from these fish and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A and D. Historically, cod liver oil was used as a vitamin supplement for children, but many adults also take capsules of this product to reap the benefits of the omega-3 fatty acid content.
Cod Liver Oil and Diabetes Risk
Type 1 diabetes is a form of diabetes that typically strikes early in life. It occurs when the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This immune reaction destroys the cells and prevents the pancreas from making insulin. A 2003 article in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" notes that giving cod liver oil to children in their first year of life reduces their risk of developing type 1 diabetes, possibly because the omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation.
Cod Liver Oil and Diabetes Complications
Another reason diabetics may take cod liver oil capsules is to prevent some of the complications of diabetes. If you have type 2 diabetes, you are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. The omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil can help reduce your risk of these complications by reducing your triglyceride levels and your blood pressure. Omega-3 fatty acids also inhibit blood clots from forming and blocking your coronary or cerebral arteries.
Considerations
Talk to your doctor before taking cod liver oil capsules or giving them to children. Although cod liver oil capsules can be purchased over the counter, they can potentially be dangerous. The high levels of vitamin A contained in cod liver oil can be toxic, particularly when combined with other supplements. Cod liver oil capsules can also cause other side effects, such as an increased risk of bruising or bleeding.
References
- University of California-Berkeley: Cod Liver Oil
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Use of Cod Liver Oil During the First Year of Life is Associated with Lower Risk of Childhood-onset Type 1 Diabetes: A Large, Population-based, Case-control Study; Stene et al.; 2003
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Omega-3 Fatty Acids; Steven Ehrlich; 2009
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