Fish oil and cod liver oil are two supplements that can be taken to boost your intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids can be used to prevent cardiovascular disease and other health problems. Although you can take fish oil and cod liver oil supplements together, it is important to not take too much of these supplements, as they can cause serious health effects.
What are Fish Oil and Cod Liver Oil?
Fish oil is a supplement that is derived from certain fatty fish, such as salmon, lake trout, mackerel and cod. Cod liver oil is also derived from cod and is an extract of the livers of these fish. Both supplements contain a type of fat known as omega-3 fatty acids, a type of unsaturated fat that cannot be made by your body. Cod liver oil also is rich in certain vitamins, including vitamins A and D.
Uses
There are a variety of reasons why you may want to take fish oil and cod liver oil together. The omega-3 fatty acids can be used to reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular problems, such as a stroke and a heart attack. Omega-3 fatty acids may also reduce inflammation in your body, making them useful for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Some psychiatric conditions, such as depression, schizophrenia and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, may also benefit from omega-3 fatty acids.
Maximum Dose
One danger of combining fish oil and cod-liver oil is that you can consume too much omega-3 fatty acids. High doses of these fats can make it hard for your blood to clot, resulting in a tendency to bruise or bleed more easily. The maximum recommended amount of omega-3 fatty acids that you should take each day is 3 g. The levels of omega-3 fatty acids vary in different kinds of fish oil and cod liver oil, so you will need to check the label to determine the maximum safe dose of each product you can take.
Other Considerations
You must also be careful when consuming cod liver oil because it is very high in vitamins, especially vitamin A. Too much vitamin A can be toxic for your body, particularly if you combine cod liver oil with multivitamins. Both cod liver oil and fish oil may interfere with medications, so talk to your doctor before taking either of these supplements.
Member Comments