Cod Liver Oil: Health Benefits, Facts and Research

Cod liver oil, as the name suggests, is the essential oil extracted from the livers of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua).The oil is commonly taken as a dietary supplement. It is one of the best sources of omega 3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) and contains relatively high amounts of vitamin A and vitamin D. The exact concentration of nutrients in cod liver oil depends on the species of Gadus family the oil comes from.

The medical use of cod liver goes back centuries. Its first documented medical use was in 1789, when Dr. Darbey of the Manchester Infirmary in England used the oil to treat rheumatism. By the 1930s the therapeutic properties of cod-liver oil were well established and it was frequently given to children to help prevent rickets and other conditions caused by vitamin D deficiency.

The difference between cod liver oil and regular fish oils is that fish oils are extracted from the tissue of deep sea oily fish such as tuna, trout, mackerel, herring, salmon and cod. By contrast, cod liver oil is extracted solely from the livers of cod. Cod liver oil contains lower amounts of omega-3 fatty acids than regular fish oils, but larger amounts of vitamins A and D.

Possible health benefits of cod liver oil:

1) Cod liver oil is the right kind of fat-Fat is essential for every single cell in your body. Eating the right kinds of fats (like the omega 3 fatty acids in cod liver oil) will make the skin glow, increase vitamin and mineral absorption and boost the immune system. Fat keeps you full and satiated. When you consume fat, your brain receives a signal to turn off your appetite. Eating healthy fats with a meal helps slow the breakdown of carbohydrates into sugar, which helps to keep blood sugars levels in your blood stable. Your brain needs to be fueled with fat to function optimally.

2) Arthritis-A German study, which included 43 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who ingested 1 g of cod liver oil every day for 3 months, found that the patients experienced a decrease in the pain intensity of their stiff joints.A separate study concluded that cod liver oil may also help those suffering from osteoarthritis. Researchers at Cardiff University found that cod liver oil helped reduce pain and cartilage damage caused by osteoarthritis, as well as reducing the need for joint replacement. In their study, the investigators found that cod liver oil reduced enzymes linked to pain and cartilage damage caused by osteoarthritis.

3) Coronary artery disease-Daily intake of cod liver oil can help prevent coronary atherosclerosis. Research published in the journal Lipids concluded that ingestion of 1.5 g of n-3 fatty acids per day resulted in "decreased progression/increased regression of established coronary artery disease.

4) Repairing wounds-One study assessed the effect of topically applying cod liver oil ointment on wounds using a hairless mouse ear wound model. The scientists concluded that topical application of 25% cod liver oil ointment "significantly accelerated both the epithelial and the vascular component of healing compared with saline.

5) Cognitive performance-Cod liver oil contains a high amount of vitamin D. A link between vitamin D and cognitive performance was identified in a study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. The authors concluded that Vitamin D may play a key role in maintaining good brain function in old age.

6) Tuberculosis-A review of a historical study from 1848 revealed that cod liver oil could be an effective treatment option for tuberculosis. The disease was stabilized in 18% of participants who received cod liver oil, in comparison with only 6% in the control group.

7)Cod liver oil is a vitamin D powerhouse-Cod liver oil is one of the richest sources of vitamin D available, providing over 100% of our daily-recommended intake in just one tablespoon. Recent studies have suggested that up to 50% of adults and children worldwide are vitamin D deficient.

8)Vitamin D plays a substantial role in the regulation of calcium and maintenance of phosphorus levels in the blood, two factors that are extremely important for maintaining healthy bones.

9)Reduced risk of diabetes-Several observational studies have shown an inverse relationship between blood concentrations of vitamin D in the body and risk of type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetics, insufficient vitamin D levels may have an adverse effect on insulin secretion and glucose tolerance.3 In one particular study, infants who received 2,000 IU/day of vitamin D had an 88% lower risk of developing type 1 diabetes by the agepregnancy

10)Healthy pregnancy-Pregnant women who are deficient in vitamin D seem to be at greater risk of developing preeclampsia and needing cesarean section. Poor vitamin D status is also associated with gestational diabetes mellitus and bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women. It's also important to note that vitamin D levels that were too high during pregnancy were associated with an increase in food allergy of the child during the first two years of life.

Nutritional profile of cod liver oil

Nutrients in cod liver oil (value per 100g)

Vitamin A - 100,000 IU

Vitamin D - 10,000 IU

Saturated fatty acids - 22.608 g

Monounsaturated fatty acids - 46.711 g

Polyunsaturated fatty acids - 22.541 g

Potential health risks of cod liver oil-According to research published in the American Journal of Cardiology, large amounts of fish consumption can cause side effects because of environmental toxins in fish such as mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, and other contaminants.

                                                                                                                                  KUMAR KOMAL

                                                                                                                                  M.SC 1^ST SEMESTER

                                                                                                     INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY