What are the benefits of cod liver oil for women?
What is cod liver oil good for?
Does consumption of cod liver oil have any side effects?
This article gives you an insight of cod liver oil benefits for skin, hair and health.
Cod liver oil is a dietary supplement extracted from the liver of Cod fish. It is available in oil as well as in capsule forms.
Like with all other fish oils, it contains omega- 3 fatty acids, Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Cod liver is popular because of its anti inflammatory role and relatively high content of vitamins A and D. As most of the people don’t consume enough anti inflammatory foods which contain vitamin D and omega-3 fats –both important for cardiovascular, hormonal, reproductive and immune health- regular supplement of cod liver oil can benefit them.
Do you know when and how was use of cod liver oil started? To get the answer, let us take a brief look at the history to know how cod liver oil evolved as one of the best oil for medical purposes.
When was cod liver oil used medically for the first time?
Dr Darbey of the Manchester infirmary used cod liver oil for the first time in 1789 medicinally.
Decades later in 1824, it was used as remedy for rickets disease. By 1930s, therapeutic uses of cod liver oil were well established and it was given to children frequently to prevent vitamin D deficiency.
Hence, cod liver oil has advantages, just like other fish oil. That plus added benefits due to presence of high vitamins content.
Why cod liver oil over other oils?
So cod liver oil vs. fish oil? You may think that any other fish oil can be used instead of cod liver oil. Not quite, and here are the reasons to use cod liver oil exclusively.
- Cod liver oil is being used since many centuries for its health benefits. So the benefits are known and proven.
- As omega- 6 can be derived from diet, healthy balance can be maintained by consuming cod liver oil which contains omega-3 fats.
- Cod liver oil contains adequate amounts of vitamin A and D, and hence it helps to prevent vitamin deficiency.
Aren’t these healthy excuses to start using cod liver oil?
Read on further to know the benefits of cod liver oil for health.
Note: Always consult your doctor before starting cod liver oil in your diet intake to know the exact dose for you.
Even though cod liver oil doesn’t have any known side effects during pregnancy, pregnant ladies are advised to get it prescribed from the certified gynecologist instead of self-medicating.
20 Cod liver oil benefits for overall health:
You might not love the taste of cod liver oil. Still after reading this article, I am sure that you would give it a thought to take the adequate dosage of cod liver oil from the next day onwards, every day.
According to research, daily intake of 1-2 teaspoons of cod liver oil or a capsule can prevent disease conditions like arthritis, kidney problems, high cholesterol, diabetes, impaired immunity, gastric ulcers, tuberculosis, cancer, cardiovascular diseases etc. It also helps to improve overall health of the person. Let us check the detailed benefits of cod liver oil.
#1. Home remedy for arthritis patients
Cod liver oil has anti inflammatory properties due to presence of DHA and EPA. This helps to reduce pain, swelling and joint stiffness in arthritis patients. Cod liver oil also maintains flexibility, mobility and lubricates the joints and relieves arthritis symptoms.
Hence it is considered as natural remedy for arthritis.
#2. Relieves muscle pain
Low levels of vitamin D may result in bone and muscle pain. Cod liver oil increase vitamin D levels significantly and helps to improve muscle strength and reduce muscle pain.
#3. Improves brain functions
The two substances in cod liver oil, DHA and EPA, are believed to have important role in brain functions. DHA has a significant part to play in brain cell membranes and improves their fluidity. So, messages pass from one cell to the other in brain easily.EPA improves communication by improving cell signaling. Hence, cod liver oil is famous as the fish oil for depression.
Researches also show a link between intakes of adequate amounts of cod liver oil and reduction in brain diseases like Alzheimer’s.
#4. Reduces the risks of heart diseases
Omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oils help to reduce bad cholesterol in our body. They are also capable of altering linings of arteries so that they can heal after damage. Hence, Omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oils can help in decreasing progressive coronary artery disease.
Moreover, vitamin A and D present in cod liver oil play important roles in improving muscle functions and supporting elasticity of blood vessels in heart.
#5. Healthy bones
As mentioned earlier, cod liver oil is rich in vitamin D (vitamin D3). It is important in absorbing dietary calcium and maintaining and building strong bones.
The areas where people do not receive enough sunlight may develop vitamin D deficiency. This can be prevented by intake of cod liver oil daily. It also helps to prevent osteoporosis condition naturally.
#6. Good for your eyes
Cod liver oil is rich in vitamin A (in retinol form) which helps maintain healthy cells and tissues in the eye. Omega-3 fats, especially DHA, in cod liver oil help to reduce risk of developing age related macular degeneration which is the one of the leading causes of severe vision loss in people above 60.
#7. Essential fat
Like carbohydrates and proteins, fats are also essential for each and every single cell of the body. Cod liver oil is the one which provides that right kind of fat required by the body. This fat, namely, omega-3 fatty acids has many benefits. It is beneficial for healthy skin, improved vitamin-mineral absorption and boosting immunity.
Moreover, eating healthy fats helps to slow the breakdown of carbohydrates to sugar which in turn keeps the blood sugar level balanced. They also act as brain fuel.
#8. Coronary artery disease
Regular intake of cod liver oil also helps to prevent coronary artery disease/ atherosclerosis. It decreases the progress rate of the disease and helps in speedy recovery.
#9. Wound healing
Recent research on cod liver oil ointment proves that it accelerates wound healing process. When compared to saline, cod liver oil helps to repair both epithelial and the vascular healing faster. Certain diaper rash creams have cod liver oil as an ingredient.
#10. Remedy for tuberculosis
Cod liver oil can be also very efficient remedy to treat tuberculosis. Patients are believed to recover if they regularly consume cod liver oil in required/ prescribed dosage.
#11. Vitamin D power house
As mentioned earlier, cod liver oil is one of the richest sources of vitamin D. It provides the recommended intake of vitamin D in just 1 tablespoon.
It is believed that up to 50% of adults are deficient in vitamin D which means increased risk of osteoporosis, heart diseases, hypertension, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, swine flu, asthma etc.
Vitamin D also regulates calcium and phosphorus levels in blood, two extremely important components important for bone health.
#12. Prevents or treats diabetes
We read earlier that healthy fats in cod liver oil help to slow down carbohydrates to sugar, regulating blood sugar level. It is also very interesting fact that adults who consumed 2000 IU/day of vitamin D during infancy or childhood are less likely to develop type 1 diabetes.
Cod liver oil is also beneficial for type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, insufficient vitamin D levels have adverse effects on insulin secretion and glucose tolerance. So, daily intake of cod liver oil also reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
#13. For healthy pregnancy
Pregnant women who are deficient in vitamin D are at greater risks of gestational diabetes and bacterial vaginosis. It is also associated with developing need of cesarean section.
Cod liver oil helps to maintain vitamin D levels and thus it is also good for healthy pregnancy. However, during pregnancy, it is better to seek doctor’s advice before starting any new thing in your routine.
It is also to be noted that too high vitamin D levels are associated with food allergy in the child during first two years of life.
#14. Cancer prevention
High level of vitamin D is important for regulating cell growth and for cell to cell communication. Calcitriol (active form of vitamin D) can reduce cancer progression by slowing down growth of malignant tumours and development of new blood vessels in cancerous tissues.
Studies have also found that vitamin D helps to prevent breast cancer in women as it has anti-proliferative and proapoptotic effects on breast cancer cells. This means that it will cause the cancerous cells to self-destruct. Vitamin D, hence, reduces mammary tumours.
In addition to these effects against cancerous cells, vitamin D is believed to have influence on more than 200 human genes.
So consume cod liver oil to reduce the risk of developing cancer.
#15. Boost fertility
Fats help our body to produce sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Cod liver oil also keeps endocrine system smoothly running due to presence of vital nutrients like, Omega-3 s and vitamin D.
Thus cod liver oil is important for reproductive health including healthier ovarian and testicular function.
As cod liver oil contains many anti inflammatory nutrients, it aids the hyptothalamic, adrenal and pituitary glands which control the release of sex hormones. DHA is also crucial for sperm mobility and its health.
#16. Helps to fight ulcers
Consumption of cod liver oil is related to faster ulcer healing properties and it is also said to bring down antisecretory effects. Another interesting benefit of cod liver oil is, it produces gastric cryoprotective effects and hence significantly reduces stress and pain caused by gastric ulcers.
#17. Improved brain function
Cod liver oil is also beneficial for improved cognitive performance. Vitamin D present in cod liver oil is proportionally linked with cognitive performance in a person as the studies suggest.
Regular intake of cod liver oil maintains vitamin D levels in the body, which in turn helps to maintain good brain function, even in old age.
#18. Good for the immune system
In addition to these benefits, cod liver oil is also considered good for a healthy immune system. It helps to boost the immune system keeping diseases away and also helps in preventing allergies.
#19. Beneficial for healthy skin
If you have dry skin or acne, consumption of cod liver oil will help to remove the skin texture and keeps it soft and supple.
#20. Helps to keep the hair healthy
Did you know consumption of cod liver oil benefits hair? Yes, regular intake of cod liver oil or supplements is said to improve the texture of hair. As you know, cod liver oil improves the general health and a healthy body will naturally lead to healthy hair.
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Hence it is very beneficial to include cod liver oil in your regular diet in the prescribed amounts. Generally one capsule or a teaspoon of pure cod liver oil is considered adequate.
Many people want to know, which kind of cod liver oil is the best? Which type of cod liver oil can we buy? Scroll down to get your answers.
You can also read about the 25 benefits of multani mitti for face, skin and hair.
Which kind of cod liver oil to buy?
There are many kinds of cod liver oil available in market which may be unhealthy, or may contain synthetic ingredients. So prefer to go for a standard or reputed brand (one which contains antioxidants like astaxanthin to prevent oil from oxidizing) when you go to purchase cod liver oil.
Also, look for fermented cod liver oil, which means that the livers went through a process of fermentation. This helps to produce more vitamins and it also leads to making the oil more digestible. It is a good choice to buy fermented cod liver oil as fermenting fish is a thousands of years old practice.
Possible risks and side effects of cod liver oil:
“The excessive use of anything causes a reaction that is opposite of the intended outcome.”
Anything in more than required quantity can be bad for you. If you also consume healthy food in excess amounts, it also becomes unhealthy. Same principle is also applicable here. Even though, cod liver is very beneficial due to its valued composition, it is always a wise decision to refer your doctor to prescribe a required dosage of cod liver oil as per your body needs.
High amounts of cod liver oil can act as blood thinner. Though it is considered safe for most of the people, few people may develop side effects like belching, bad breath, heart burn, nausea, blood stools, low blood pressure, high amounts of vitamin A and D levels, nose bleeds and even cause your sweat smell like cod liver oil.
The benefits outweigh the dangers of cod liver oil. So always ensure that you ask your doctor how much of cod liver oil you require to take in a day. If you hate the smell of it, you can always buy cod oil capsules.
So next time you shrivel your nose when anyone mentions this, think of the cod liver oil health benefits!
I am sure this article answered all your queries related to cod liver oil consumption.
Hope you find this article on cod liver oil benefits useful.
Do you take cod liver oil for its health benefits? Which brand do you use?
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Hello, thank you so much for all the valuable information. I have a question. I have a 19 month old child that suffers from really itchy and dried eczema. I bought some fermented cod liver for him, but everytime I give it to him he fights me and i have to lean him back and put it in his mouth. Sometimes he dpits dome back. He really does not like it. I’ve tried to mix it with some honey, and also tried to give it to hime with dome juice but he still does not like it and puts on a fight to not drink it. I read somewhere that if you applybthe oil topically, perhaps by rubbing it on his bottom, the skin will absorb it. My question is, will he still get ALL the benefits of the cod liver ol when appli ed topically or would he just get some benefits but not all? Also how long does it need to be on his skin for the oil to be absorbed and how much do I need to apply on him. Thank you so much.
Sea cod is all is one all problems is solved Example;: Ulcer, kidney, liver, deprecation of high cholestrol and helps all other body parts.
Wanna become fat what to do I eat more bt I wont bcm fat wts d reason
Thanks, am greatful for this healthy tips about cod liver oil.. Am Fred by name. Thanks alot.