Can You Take Cod Liver Oil On An Empty Stomach?

Can You Take Cod Liver Oil on an Empty Stomach?

Jul 6, 2011 | By Judy Wilson

Cod liver oil contains the essential nutrients vitamin A and vitamin D plus the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, and eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA. You can purchase this nutritional supplement from health food stores, health practitioners and from online retailers who sell vitamin products. One frequently asked question about cod liver oil is whether you should take it with a meal or whether you can take it on an empty stomach. If you need guidance on taking cod liver oil or other nutritional supplements, consult your health practitioner.

Absorption

Your body can better absorb the nutrients in cod liver oil when you consume it with food. Specifically, it is best to take fat-soluble vitamins, such as the vitamin A and vitamin D in cod liver oil, along with meals containing healthy fat. You cannot do this if you take cod liver oil on an empty stomach.

Taste

You may find the fishy taste of cod liver oil unpleasant. Some cod liver oil products contain flavorings that mask the taste somewhat. If you take a softgel cod liver supplement, you do not experience as much of the fish oil taste as you do when you take liquid cod liver oil. When you take cod liver oil with food rather than on an empty stomach, you can more easily mask any unpleasant taste by, for example, taking your cod liver oil and then quickly taking a bite of food or sip of a beverage.

Nausea

If you take cod liver oil and other supplements on an empty stomach, you may experience some nausea, burping or other digestive symptoms. Taking cod liver oil along with a full meal can help to prevent this from happening. Drink plenty of fresh water when you take cod liver oil.

Meals

Although you can take cod liver oil with any meal of the day, you may prefer to take all your nutritional supplements with breakfast and to make breakfast the biggest meal of the day. Getting into the habit of taking cod liver oil with the same meal every day makes it easier to remember to take it. Whatever time of day you take cod liver oil, make sure it is with a full, nutritious meal and not just a snack.