Cod liver oil differs from fish oil in one important way: fish oil is extracted from the flesh of fish like salmon, herring and mackerel, while cod liver oil is primarily extracted from the livers of cod. Health professionals recommend that children should consume fish oil weekly to obtain heart and brain-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, but advise that children -- particularly young children -- do not take cod liver oil in any form. Some scientific research indicates that cod liver oil supplementation may be dangerous for children. Speak to your child's pediatrician about the possible side effects before starting cod liver oil supplementation.
Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver oil contains a high concentration of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin A, vitamin D, potassium, zinc, iron and magnesium. This high nutrient content made cod liver oil a common early 20th century at-home treatment and preventative measure for vitamin D deficiency, or rickets, in children. Modern scientific research indicates that cod liver oil may also support immune system health, decrease the risk of heart disease and ease the joint pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, reports Angela Epstein in a March 2006 article for Mail Online.
Research on Supplementation in Children
Despite the potential health benefits of cod liver oil and its history of use, a number of researchers have strongly condemned its regular use in children. In a 2008 review study published in the "Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology," scientists from universities in the United States and Canada warned that children could suffer from vitamin A toxicity if they are given cod liver oil. In 2006, British Nutrition Foundation scientist Anna Denny told the Mail Online that children should obtain their essential fatty acids from eating fish, not cod liver oil supplementation. Denny states that studies indicate that it is easy to consume too much of the oil, particularly if children are supplemented with the liquid form of cod liver oil.
Recommended Dosage
No one under the age of 18 should consume cod liver oil in any form, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Health professionals do recommend that children consume 650 mg of fish oils that contain DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid, and EPA, or eicosapentaenoic acid, daily, reports Angela Epstein in a March 2006 article for Mail Online. However, fish oil supplements are not identical to cod liver oil. The Foundation for IgA Nephrology warns that if you supplement with cod liver oil in the same amounts as recommended for the omega-3 fatty acids in fish, you greatly increase your risk of vitamin A toxicity.
Considerations
Cod liver oil supplementation can cause a number of side effects, including nausea, headaches, digestive system problems, a fish-like body odor and an unusual taste in your mouth. Anyone with diabetes, heart disease, liver or kidney problems, fish allergies and women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid this oil. Cod liver oil may interfere with the function of medications like blood thinners, diuretics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, tretinoin and blood pressure drugs. The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate cod liver oil supplements for purity or safety. Some have been found to contain high amounts of potentially toxic contaminants. Give your child cod liver oil supplements only if your pediatrician advise it.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Cod Liver Oil (By Mouth); Jan 4, 2010
- Prescription Drugs.com: Cod Liver Oil
- "Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology"; Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin A Toxicity, Frequent Respiratory Infections, and the Vitamin D Deficiency Epidemic; John J. Cannell, MD, et al.; 2008
- Dietary Supplements Labels Database: Cod Liver Oil
- Mail Online: Do We Still Need a Daily Dose of Cod Liver Oil?; Angela Epstein; March 2006
- The Foundation for IgA Nephropathy: Fish Oil
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