Cod liver oil may be a beneficial supplement for individuals with heart conditions. Cod liver oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which have demonstrated effective anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation has been linked to numerous heart conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart disease and high blood pressure. Cod liver oil also contains vitamin D, which has demonstrated the ability to decrease inflammation. Speak to your doctor or health care provider about the value of cod liver oil if you have a heart condition.
Inflammation
Inflammation is a key player in 80 percent of all heart conditions, according to James T. Willerson, M.D., of the University of Texas Health Science Center. Inflammation occurs in response to numerous risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and infection. The inflammatory chemical C-reactive protein, or CRP, reliably predicts not only the presence of inflammation but also the risk of a future heart attack.
EPA and DHA
Cod liver oil contains the Omega 3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. These healthy fats have demonstrated an ability to decrease the concentration of the chemicals involved in the inflammatory response, including C-reactive protein. According to a 2008 study conducted by researchers from the Kronos Longevity Research Institute in Arizona, Omega 3 fatty acids significantly reduced blood levels of C-reactive protein in a group of 12 subjects over 60 years of age, with both genders equally represented. The study findings were published in the journal "Hormone and Metabolic Research."
Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha or TNF-a is another inflammatory marker that factors heavily in inflammation-induced heart conditions. According to Willerson, tumor necrosis factor-alpha is one of the primary reactive proteins that trigger the flood of inflammatory cells into the tissues of the circulatory system.
Vitamin D
Recent research suggests that a deficiency in vitamin D may also trigger the inflammatory response. A 2008 study conducted by University of Missouri researchers examined 69 healthy women between the ages of 25 and 82 years; those with higher levels of vitamin D through regular exposure to the sun had significantly lower levels of inflammatory chemicals, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha and C-reactive protein. Cod liver oil is one of the richest sources of vitamin D known; 1 tbsp. of cod liver oil contains 338 percent of the recommended daily intake.
References
- Circulation: Inflammation as a Cardiovascular Risk Factor; James T. Willerson, M.D. et al; 2004
- Hormone and Metabolic Research: High Omega-3 Fat Intake Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Reduces CRP and IL6, but Does not Affect other Endocrine Axes in Healthy Older Adults; P.D. Tsitouras et al.; March 2008
- Journal of Inflammation: Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Concentrations are Negatively Correlated with Serum 25(OH)D Concentrations in Healthy Women; C.A. Peterson et al.; July 2008
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