One of the main benefits of eating fish is the nutritional value of the oil. Fish oil has high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. The oil can be extracted from fish such as cod and packaged in pill form as a daily supplement. Although scientists are still studying the benefits of cod liver oil, it has been linked with improving heart health and blood-pressure levels.
Significance
Your blood pressure is a measure of how hard your heart has to work to pump blood throughout your body. When you have hypertension, also called high-blood pressure, your heart is working harder than it should. A number of causes are associated with high-blood pressure, including excess sodium in your diet, high cholesterol, fluctuating hormones, narrowing of your arteries or a family history of hypertension. High-blood pressure is considered a dangerous condition, because the extra work your heart has to do can weaken it. High-blood pressure is also a risk factor for stroke and aneurysm.
Blood-Vessel Dilation
MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, lists cod-liver oil as "possibly effective" as a treatment for hypertension. This is because the omega-3 fatty acids in cod-liver oil have been shown to slightly expand blood vessels. This increases your blood flow and lightens your heart's workload. But MedlinePlus notes that these are modest reductions in blood pressure.
Blood Thinner
The omega-3 fatty acids in cod-liver oil also relieve hypertension by slowing the production of a chemical in the blood that causes platelets to stick together. This keeps your blood flowing smoothly through your veins and arteries. Talk with your doctor, though, if you are taking any blood-thinning medications, as combining cod-liver oil with any of these drugs can lead to bleeding problems.
Warning
Although cod liver oil may lower your blood pressure, talk with your doctor about dosage and your overall health. This is especially advisable if you are pregnant. Cod-liver oil tends to have too much vitamin A and D for pregnant women. Ironically, it may increase your risk of high-blood pressure.
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