Is Cod Liver Oil Good for You: 12 Amazing Benefits

There are several dietary supplements ¹one intake without giving a second thought to their pros and cons. So, is cod liver oil good for you, or should you consider any other fish or other supplements? Read on to find out!

Is Cod Liver Oil Good for You?

Eating an assorted range of healthy foods is the best way to provide your body with all the nutrients needed.

But some people may not get the required vitamins and minerals from their daily diet. This is when the doctor may recommend a dietary supplement to provide the missing nutrients to the body.

Dietary supplements first became available somewhere in the 1940s. During that time, people used to flock to the local drug store to stock up on these magical pills to improve their total health and well-being.

This habit, I think, has never stopped as even today you can find health supplements in every house, right?

You may learn their benefits from everywhere – through social media influencers, commercials, or your family, friends, and neighbours. But amidst all this clitter and clatter, finding out which is the best supplement for you is pretty challenging!

So, let’s discuss this topic point by point.

What are Dietary Supplements?

So, before discussing is COD liver oil good for you, let’s discuss what are dietary supplements.

A dietary supplement is a product that contains an ingredient that is intended to be added to the diet. These ingredients could be:

• Vitamins like B, Vitamin D, Vitamin E
• Minerals like Iron, Zinc, Calcium
• Herbs like Garlic, Ginger
• Unique ingredients like probiotics, glucosamine, fish oils

Most people take dietary supplements to increase their energy, enhance performance, prevent deficiencies, lower blood pressure, and maintain strength and health.

These supplements come in tablets, powders, capsules, energy drinks, and bars.

Dietary supplements are used globally, and the most common reasons given by their users were to improve or maintain their overall health. Women used calcium products to improve bone health, whereas men wanted to improve heart health or lower cholesterol.

Multivitamins or mineral products were the most frequently taken supplements, followed by calcium and Omega-3, fish oil, or cod liver oil supplements.

So let’s beat the curiosity and find out the health benefits of cod liver oil food for you.

Cod Liver Oil Benefits: Is COD Liver Oil Good For You?

Most of you must have heard about the benefits of cod liver oil at some time or the other. Well, this excellent supplement is derived from the liver of the codfish that lives deep inside the ocean.

Cod liver oil is available as liquid cod liver oil and in capsule form that is widely consumed for its health benefits by both children and the elderly.

Its composition is quite different from the composition of fish oil that is extracted from the body of oily fish species. But both cod liver oil and fish oil are tremendous sources of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Well, it is a fantastic supplement for reducing inflammation, maintaining blood pressure and bone health, and giving you clear, acne-free glowing skin.

The nutritional benefits of cod liver oil in 1000mg serving are approximately about:

• 800mg Vitamin A
• 10mg Vitamin D
• 144mg EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid)
• 107mg DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)

If you are still thinking, ‘Is cod liver oil good for you?’, then I am sure now you must be convinced that there are a lot of benefits that come with this dietary cod liver oil.

1. Is COD Liver Oil Good: Helps Fight Diabetes 

If you are diagnosed with diabetes, then your thought – is cod liver oil good for you – is apt because it is beneficial for you.

This fish oil brimming with fatty acids that help regulate insulin production, control blood glucose levels and reduce gut inflammation.

2. Is COD Liver Oil Good: Improves Eye Health

More than a hundred million people face a huge health issue – vision loss. The leading causes of vision loss could be age-related problems or glaucoma, and both of these issues result from chronic inflammation.²

If you have a feeling – is cod liver good for you – is lagging somewhere in your mind, then rest assured. It is a well-known supplement that safeguards the eye against inflammation.

By consuming cod liver oil, eye infections can be prevented as it forms a protective barrier around the eyes’ surface, thus preventing bacteria from entering inside.

The Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin A in the cod liver oil help lower glaucoma risk factors such as nerve damage and eye pressure.

3. Is COD Liver Oil Good: Boosts Bone Health

This fish oil is rich in Vitamin D, an essential nutrient for bone shape and balance, and helps give you healthy bones as you age. The bone mass in your body starts depleting after the age of 30, and this is found to be more common among women, especially after menopause.

Cod liver oil, a considerable reservoir of Vitamin D, helps strengthen the connective tissues and reduces age-related bone loss and bone injuries.

Vitamin D helps our body absorb calcium from food and supplements that are required for maintaining strong bones for a long time.

Research has shown that cod liver oil strengthens fragile bone³s in children and reduces bone loss in adults.

4. Is COD Liver Oil Good: Improves Skin Health

Is cod liver oil good for you and your skin?

This supplement is imbued with tons of skin-friendly nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Omega-3 fatty acids that help the skin nourish, moisturize and glow from deep within.

The Omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil also help reduce the fine lines and wrinkles on your skin. All these benefits together will give you skin that is beautiful and healthy with a youthful appearance.

5. Is COD Liver Oil Good: Prevents Acne

Acne is a big problem, and getting rid of it is not easy. The scarring and discoloration that usually follows acne require a lot of care.

If you think cod liver oil is good for you, then it is filled with Omega-3 fatty acids ⁴that help reduce and fight inflammation, thus preventing cystic acne⁵.

It is a great supplement to support cell renewal, which is essential to reduce acne scars faster. Even though cod liver oil is excellent for acne and scars, it takes time to show results, so you need to be patient enough to notice any real changes.

6. Is COD Liver Oil Good: Helps to Fight Infections

If children and infants are given cod liver oil it has been found to lower the risk of upper respiratory infections. Taking cod liver oil was found to reduce sinus issues and pneumonia.

7. Is COD Liver Oil Good: Reduces Cholesterol

Is cod liver oil good for you in reducing high cholesterol levels?

Even though it is brimming with fats, they are all good fats. The polyunsaturated fatty acids filled in cod liver oil act as a natural powerhouse to increase HDL, the good cholesterol in the body.

Cod liver oil ensures the healthy functioning of your body by lowering LDL, a type of lipoprotein that is the bad cholesterol in your body, and maintaining blood pressure.

8. Is COD Liver Oil Good: Maintains Heart Health

Cod liver oil and its supplements are an excellent and natural way to help lower cardiovascular diseases. Taking cod liver oil is good for you as the high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids present reduce the triglycerides in your body.⁶

This way, your high blood pressure can be controlled, plaque formation around the arteries can be prevented, and high-density lipoproteins will increase in your body, thus bringing a lower risk of heart disease.⁷

All these factors should wipe away your doubt – is cod liver good for you as they play together to ensure a healthy heart functioning?

9. Is COD Liver Oil Good: Fights Inflammation

Inflammation is your body’s way of fighting infections and wound healing from any injury. Untreated inflammations can lead to several risk factors like heart disease, lower blood pressure, etc.

So is cod liver oil good for you to reduce chronic inflammation?

Yes, increasing the intake of these polyunsaturated fatty acids⁸ is an excellent way to fight inflammation. They help to reduce the production of the proteins that cause inflammation.

Vitamin A and D from cod liver oil have high anti-inflammatory effects by releasing antioxidants required to fight the free radical damage in your body.

10. Is COD Liver Oil Good: Prevents Cancer

Cancer tumours require blood vessels to grow, which is called angiogenesis. Cod liver oil helps to prevent angiogenesis by disrupting cancer cell reproduction and stopping tumour growth, especially in breast cancer.

Cod liver oil protects you from preventing cancer as it contains vitamin A and fatty acids that are powerful weapons to fight cancer. Its anti-inflammatory properties prevent cancer cell development, thus aiding in cancer treatment.

11. Is COD Liver Oil Good: Age-related Muscular Degeneration

Generally, fish oils like cod liver oil reduce inflammation, and hence supplements of these oils reduce pain, stiffness, and tenderness.

Is cod liver oil good for you to prevent age-related macular degeneration holds good because the carotenoids in it help produce vitamin A, which helps fight this issue.

The Omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil support eye health and prevent age-related macular degeneration.

This is because high intakes of the nutrients present in cod liver oil, like Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)⁹ and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)¹⁰, lessen or delays occurrences of macular degeneration.

12. Is COD Liver Oil Good: Rheumatoid Arthritis

The use of marine oil supplements will prove – is cod liver oil food for you to be true. For rheumatoid arthritis, cod liver oil has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation.

Cod liver oil ointment reduces the arthritis pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Vitamins A and D of cod liver oil will help repair damaged DNA in cells and maintain healthy joints in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Things to Remember While Consuming Cod Liver Oil

Most mothers often force their children to consume cod liver oil daily, boasting about the many health benefits of cod liver oil compared to regular fish oils. But here are a few things to remember:

1. Choose the Right Type of Cod Liver Supplement

Choosing the correct type of cod liver supplement is vital because all supplements are not manufactured equally.

Typically, the daily Vitamin A and D intake should not exceed 10000 IU in adults and 5000 IU, respectively. But it is always better to consult your doctor or a healthcare professional before you start with cod liver oil.

2. Choose the Right Form for Your Liking

Cod liver oil capsules and liquid form are both available. Liquid tastes fishy, while capsules can be chilled to avoid the spicy taste.

3. Consult a Health Care Provider

Consult a dietician or a health care professional on the correct dosage when taking cod liver oil for the first time. Identifying the need is vital before deciding on the quantity for daily intake.

4. Check Whether you are Allergic to Fish

Check out if you are allergic to fish before consuming cod liver oil.

Is Cod Liver Good For You: Cons

Just like any other supplement, there are a few risks associated with cod liver oil. Before starting with it, consult your doctor.

1. Cod Liver Oil has a Blood Thinning Effect

Cod liver oil intake can increase the blood-thinning effects if you are on medications for this, thus leading to some dangerous levels of bleeding.

2. Cod Liver Oil may Harm the Unborn Baby

The thought that cod liver is good for you during pregnancy is valid. The Vitamin D in this oil will help pregnant women get adequate amounts of this vitamin.

Cod liver oil can harm the unborn baby because of the high levels of Vitamin A that could be received from this supplement.

3. Digestive Problems May Occur

There could be digestive problems, and you could show signs of flatulence and diarrhea.

1. The toxicity of Vitamin A in cod liver oil could cause nausea, skin irritation, joint pain, and dizziness.
2. Bleeding gums and nose
3. Acidity problems could cause belching, stomach discomfort, and nausea.

But well, at the end of the day, remember that you should always take the help of a healthcare professional and follow their guidelines to make the best use of cod liver good for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it OK to take cod liver oil every day?

Cod liver oil is an unquestionably rich provider of nutrients and is safe to consume daily. But remember to get a doctor’s prescription first.

2. Is cod liver oil good for my health?

Yes, absolutely. As previously stated, cod liver is high in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A and D.

3. What is the disadvantage of cod liver oil?

It could lead to heartburn, stomach distress, and nausea as adverse reactions. Hence, high dosages may be hazardous. Read about more cons of cod liver oil above in the article.

Final Thoughts

After reading this post, you must have noticed that cod liver oil offers many potential health benefits. But just like any supplement, it is best to have cod liver oil in moderation if you do not eat fish or other foods rich in essential fatty acids.

Most of us already consume a lot of vitamins through our foods like green leafy vegetables, carrots, sweet potatoes, etc.

So before you start consuming any supplement like cod liver oil, check out its label and consult your doctor on the number of vitamins or fatty acids present.

So, go ahead and do not waste much ado on the thought is cod liver good for you and reap its benefits to stay healthy and happy!

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Last Updated on February 24, 2024 by ayeshayusuf