Cod Liver Oil - Health Benefits, Uses, Studies
Cod liver oil, nature's number one superfood, is a good source of omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and vitamin D, which are each beneficial to many functions of the body and one's overall health, including helping metabolism, maintaining eye health, and absorption of minerals.
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Cod Fish For Fish Oil
As the name implies, cod liver oil is extracted from the liver of cod. The best-known type of cod liver oil comes from the cold waters of Norway.
Cold-water fish are the best animal sources of omega 3 fatty acids because their bodies are high in fat. There are many different types of fish oil, but cod liver oil users tend to like it because it has a milder taste than other fish-based omega 3 supplements, and even comes in new flavors like peach. Also, unlike most other fish oils, cod liver oil includes vitamins A and D.
Omega 3 fatty acids serve many purposes in the body, including promoting cardiovascular health, helping lower triglycerides, and helping relieve the pain of stiff joints associated with arthritis.
Vitamin A contains retinol, a chemical that the eye needs to function properly. It also helps form the white blood cells, the first line of defense in the immune system and helps the red blood cells use iron to create hemoglobin, which helps move oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues. It also helps the body absorb iron, which is beneficial for people with anemia.
Finally, there is vitamin D. Vitamin D is very important for the absorption of calcium, such as calcium carbonate and calcium magnesium. This helps us grow healthy teeth and bones when we are young and helps prevent bone loss as we age. It also enhances the immune system, appears to regulate insulin secretion and glucose intolerance in people with type two diabetes, and plays a part in reducing blood pressure.
New Information on Cod Liver Oils and Fish Oils:
There is a suggestion that cod liver oil may not be a perfect source for omega 3 fatty acids. According to the United States Pharmacopoeia, you would have to overdose on vitamins A and D to get the amount of omega 3 you need per day from a cod liver oil supplement. Others say that vitamin D prevents vitamin A toxicity, so overdosing from cod liver oil is nearly impossible.
Although there is not enough evidence to prove either of these sides right or wrong, there is a dietary benefit of cod liver oil : it provides the body with three nutrients that are necessary for good health.
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