Whenever you add a supplement to your diet, you always want to first discuss it with your doctor. Even a benign supplement like a multivitamin can interact with certain medications. Cod liver oil is a multivitamin supplement given for its high essential fatty acid, vitamin A and vitamin D content. Cod liver oil does not interfere with vitamin absorption, but it does interact with some medications and can lead to vitamin A toxicities.
Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver oil used to be a vitamin given to children, but it is now recommended as a supplement for older adults with osteoarthritis, according to the U.C. Berkeley Wellness Letter. Its high omega-3 fatty acid content helps to reduce the inflammation caused by the arthritis. One tablespoon of cod liver oil contains 123 calories, 14 grams of total fat, 13,600 international units of vitamin A, 1,360 international units of vitamin D, 0.938 grams of eicosapentaenoic acid and 1.492 grams of docosahexaenoic acid.
Vitamin A Toxicity
Cod liver oil contains a significant amount of vitamin A. As a fat-soluble vitamin, excess vitamin A is stored in your body and can be toxic if you consume it in high amounts. Toxic levels of vitamin A can cause birth defects, liver damage, and reduced bone mineral density that can lead to osteoporosis and disorders of the central nervous system. To prevent toxicities, the Institute of Medicine -- the group that determines vitamin and minerals needs -- has set tolerable upper limits for vitamin A. Adults, including pregnant women, should not consume more than 10,000 international units of vitamin A a day. One tablespoon of cod liver oil exceeds that recommendation.
Interactions With Medications
Cod liver oil does not interfere with vitamin absorption, but it does interact with a number of medications, including prescription vitamins. Calcijex is a therapeutic form of vitamin D used to treat bone disease and low blood levels of calcium. Therapeutic levels of vitamin D plus the vitamin D from the cod liver oil can lead to hypercalcemia, or high blood levels of calcium. Colesevelam, a bile acid sequestrant, may decrease your body's ability to absorb fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A and D. If you are taking colesevelam, you should take your cod liver oil several hours before or after to prevent malabsorption.
Considerations
Cod liver oil does not interfere with your ability to absorb other vitamins, but you should not take other vitamins that contain vitamin A while taking cod liver oil. You should also talk to your doctor about the amount of cod liver oil you should take each day to prevent toxicities.
Member Comments