What is Cod Liver Oil?

Common among ancient folk medicine, cod liver oil has been named “bottled sunshine” because of its connection with sunlight, activating the vitamin D in the oil. The oil is extracted from the liver of cod fish and taken as medicine. Before scientific documentation in the 1800s, observations were made and passed down as folk wisdom that cod liver oil could prevent rickets, a bone disease caused by a deficiency in vitamin D. Now there is published scientific literature supporting this ancient wisdom that cod liver oil is naturally high in multiple vitamin D compounds which supports bone health and immunity and cod liver oil is still used as preventative medicine today.

8 Benefits of Taking Cod Liver Oil

1. Vitamin A 

Vitamin A in cod liver oil is essential for vision function, growth & development in children, immune function, reproductive function, skin health, and more. 

2. Vitamin D

Vitamin D from cod liver oil is found in several different forms and helps keep bones and teeth strong, absorb calcium, and support the immune system, muscles, and brain cells. 

3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA & DHA)
   1. The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA in cod liver oil aid in healthy functions of the heart, memory and focus in the brain, and reduce inflammation and pain throughout the body. Reducing inflammation can also help strengthen the immune system. 
4. Boosts immunity
   1. Cod liver oil boosts the immune system function through vitamins A and D. The omega-3 fatty acids help contribute to a strong immune response by reducing inflammation. 
5. Supports bone and eye health
   1. Cod liver oil prevents vision loss from inflammatory eye diseases through the nutrients of the fatty acids. The vitamins help strengthen bone and eye function. Vitamin D helps support calcium absorption, which helps bone density. 
6. Reduce inflammation
   1. The fatty acids in cod liver oil aid in reducing inflammation throughout the body and prevent a plethora of diseases. It has also been shown to help reduce pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients. 
7. Supports heart health
   1. Cod liver oil supports health through its omega-3 fatty acids, EPA & DHA, which have anti-inflammatory effects and can increase HDL cholesterol. Vitamins A and D also contribute to overall good heart health. 
8. Supports teeth remineralization
   1. Holistic medicine suggests that certain nutrients in whole foods can help remineralize and heal decaying teeth. This can be a controversial topic but I have witnessed my husband’s teeth solidify and become stronger through consistent supplementation of high-quality cod liver oil. Vitamin D in cod liver oil helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus which are used to strengthen, repair, and remineralize the teeth. Remineralization is the process of rebuilding tooth enamel after a high acid impact has affected the tooth. 

Nutrient Extraction & Type of Fish Oils

How the nutrients in cod liver oil are extracted is important for the nutrients available after processing. Many forms of extraction deplete the oil’s nutrients, including high heat processing extraction methods. When searching for a good brand of cod liver oil, I recommend a low-heat processed cod liver oil. The low heat preserves the most nutrients available in the oil. Some brands even use fermentation to further the health properties of the oil. There are two brands I would recommend from experience – Green Pastures and Rosita (both are available in our shop in capsule and liquid form!), but do your research to see which brand suits you best. 

Cod liver oil differs from fish oils in its nutrient density and areas of extraction in the fish. Fish oils are extracted from all over the flesh and body of multiple species of fish, while cod liver oil is solely taken from the livers of cod. Fish oils have higher concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids, but undergo high levels of industrial processing, leading to oxidation and contaminants. Cod liver oil brands that are concerned about nutrient density are often more careful and aware of product quality over quantity. You get what you pay for with this supplement, but remember, a good quality cod liver oil is an ancient medicine. 

Conclusion 

Cod liver oil has been a longstanding nutrient powerhouse from ancient wisdom to the scientific community today. Preventative medicine through daily supplementation can have beneficial results in your health over the long run. As always I encourage you to further your research on which brands, methods, and dosage of cod liver oil would be best suited for you and your family!

Written By: Jessica