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Who Should Take Cod Liver Oil?

Jul 12, 2011 | By Emma Roberts
Who Should Take Cod Liver Oil?
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Cod liver oil offers multiple health benefits. It provides a rich source of the essential omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, as well as high levels of vitamin D. Regular supplementation of cod liver oil provides a means for individuals with chronic diseases such as diabetes to manage their condition through diet. Diabetics should take cod liver oil as a preventive measure against diabetic complications such as heart disease, stroke and eye damage.

Inflammation

Diabetics should take cod liver oil as a means to reduce inflammation throughout their bodies, especially diabetics who are also obese. The omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil inhibit the release of prostaglandins -- chemicals involved in the body's inflammatory response. This action in turn lowers the risk of cardiovascular complications in diabetics.

Heart Disease

Diabetics run a high risk of developing heart disease, and the vitamin D in cod liver oil can help them mitigate this risk. Research links a deficiency in vitamin D in diabetics to a host of major cardiovascular complications such as stroke, congestive heart failure and heart attack. According to Dr. James H. O'Keefe, a cardiologist at the Mid America Heart Institute, vitamin D represents an emerging risk factor in heart disease, particularly in diabetics.

Hypertriglyceridemia

Hypertriglyceridemia refers to elevated levels of fats in the blood. In diabetics, this disorder remains common and contributes to an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. Research demonstrates that omega-3 fatty acids lower triglycerides in the blood of diabetics. A March 2011 study conducted by the North Jersey Institute of Menopausal Lipidology found that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can reduce hypertriglyceridemia by as much as 45 percent.

Eye Complications

The omega-3 fatty acids contained in cod liver oil also protect diabetics against eye complications. Diabetics should take cod liver oil to prevent diabetic neuropathy -- damage to the blood vessels that feed the eyes -- the most prevalent eye disease that affects diabetics and an estimated cause of 5 percent of blindness worldwide. A June 2011 study conducted by French researchers and published in the journal "Nutrition and Metabolism" found that EPA and DHA suppressed the inflammatory proteins in retinal cells exposed to high levels of glucose. This research suggests that cod liver oil helps diabetics ward off eye problems.

References

Article reviewed by David Bill Last updated on: Jul 12, 2011

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