Cod liver oil, like its name suggests, is a capsule supplement made from the oil found in the liver of the cod fish. Cod liver oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and other beneficial nutrients, but it also has some strong side effects, so you should take it with care.
Cod Liver Oil
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, cod liver oil is high in vitamins A and D, which people need to help build strong bones, healthy skin and eyes, and maintain a strong immune system. The omega-3 fatty acids found in cod liver oil can also lower your triglyceride levels, reducing your risk of stroke, heart disease and heart attacks. You can find cod liver oil in capsule form in the vitamins section of a pharmacy or store.
Supplementation
The Mayo Clinic reports that the American Heart Association suggests getting the nutrients you get from cod liver oil supplements through adding fish to your diet instead. However, if you choose to take a supplement, you will find that most capsules contain 570 mg of cod liver oil, with the suggested amount of one capsule daily. This provides you with 25 percent of your daily recommendation of vitamin A and 32 percent of your daily intake of vitamin D.
Dangers of Overdosing
The danger of cod liver oil supplements is their high levels of vitamin A. If you take a multivitamin in addition to cod liver oil capsules, you might be getting too much vitamin A when combined with your diet. Too much vitamin A can cause a condition called hypervitaminosis A, leading to nausea, headache, fatigue, dizziness, and joint pain. Do not take more than one capsule daily, or you run the risk of overdosing. You should also talk to your doctor, who might want you to take more or less depending on your health situation.
Side Effects
You do not want to take more than the recommended one capsule daily because cod liver oil can have strong side effects. People with seafood allergies might also be allergic to cod fish oil supplements, so take with care until you know how your body will react. Cod liver oil supplements might interact with prescription medications, especially drugs to help you lower your blood pressure. Normal cod liver oil side effects can include bad breath, stomach upset, heartburn and belching.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; "Cod Liver Oil (By Mouth)"; January 2010
- MedlinePlus; "Fish Oil"; February 2011
- MayoClinic.com; "Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Fish Oil, Alpha-Linolenic Acid"; July 2011
- Linus Pauling Institute; "Macronutrient Information Center: Vitamin A"; Victoria Drake; November 2007
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