Cod liver oil has made a reappearance in many American medicine cabinets as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have a number of health benefits, including reducing inflammation and lowering cholesterol levels. These nutrients may also offer benefits when taken during pregnancy. However, cod liver oil also contains large amounts of vitamin A, which could potentially cause birth defects in early pregnancy. Do not take cod liver oil in pregnancy without your doctor's approval. Do not confuse cod liver oil with castor oil, a folk remedy used late in pregnancy to induce labor.
Vitamin A in Cod Liver Oil
Taking more than 10,000 International Units in early pregnancy can cause birth defects, and as little as 6,000 IU can interfere with bone growth and increase the risk of fracture, according to the University of California at Berkeley. But vitamin A is also a necessary vitamin during pregnancy. Taken late in pregnancy, vitamin A helps with postpartum tissue repair, according to Baby Center.
Reducing Type 1 Diabetes
Taking cod liver oil in pregnancy may reduce the risk of developing type 1 diabetes, previously known as juvenile diabetes. One Norwegian study reported in the September 2000 issue of "Diabetologia" found that children of mothers who took cod liver oil during pregnancy or who took cod liver oil in infancy had a decreased risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
Preventing Allergies
When taken starting at the 25th week of pregnancy, omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of developing allergies in infants with a family history of allergy. One study, published by Swedish researchers in the September 2009 issue of "Acta Paediatrica" found that taking supplemental eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid reduced the risk of infant allergies to 2 percent, compared to the placebo rate of 15 percent.
Considerations
In addition to concerns about the high vitamin A content in cod liver oil, some medical practitioners also express concern about the possibility of contamination with mercury or polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, which accumulate in the fish liver. These toxins could accumulate in the fetus if taken in pregnancy, possibly causing low birth weight and nervous system abnormalities. Choose well-known brands of cod liver oil that state that their product contains purified oil. Make sure your total intake of vitamin A does not exceed 10,000 IU per day; ask your doctor for specific recommendations on acceptable doses of cod liver oil.
References
- Baby Center; Vitamin A in Your Pregnancy Diet; August 2009
- "Diabetologia": Use of Cod Liver Oil During Pregnancy Associated with Lower Risk of Type I Diabetes in the Offspring; L. Stene, et al.; Septmber 2000
- UC Berkeley Wellness Letter: Cod Liver Oil
- "Acta Paediatrica"; Fish Oil Supplementation in Pregnancy and Lactation May Decrease the Risk of Infant Allergy; C. Furuhjelm, et al.; September 2009
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