Superfoods Part 3: Cod Liver Oil
Did you know that cod liver oil is an age-old remedy for all sorts of ailments? It’s true; cod liver oil was used by Nordic and Scottish fishermen as medicine. 1 It wasn’t until the 18th century that this superfood was accepted as medicinal as a result of scientific research. 1 Later, cod liver oil was used by Dr. Weston Price to bring sick patients back to health. Continue reading to learn more about this very important superfood.
Vitamin A and cod liver oil
Cod liver oil is a rich source of Vitamin A (Retinol). True Vitamin A (Retinol) seems to be somewhat of a forgotten nutrient in our modern day diets according to the Weston A. Price Foundation. In fact, the research of Dr. Price revealed that traditional diets had ten times more Vitamin A than modern day diets. 2
Vitamin A provides numerous benefits when it comes to good health. Dr. Price found that the fat-soluble vitamins, especially Vitamin A, act as catalysts on which all other biological processes depend. 2 This vitamin also nourishes the endocrine glands, especially the thyroid. 2 Vitamin A also helps prevent cancer. Finally, Vitamin A is very important to good eyesight, with high concentrations found in the retina (hence the scientific name retinol). 2
Recent research has also indicated that the conversion of carotenes (such as beta-carotene) to Vitamin A is less than optimal under most circumstances. In fact the conversion ratio (even under optimal conditions in the body) may only be 6:1 or less. This means that it takes six units of beta-carotene to produce one unit of Vitamin A.
Vitamin D and cod liver oil
Cod liver oil is also rich in Vitamin D, another all-star nutrient when it comes to great health. Again, Dr. Weston Price found that the amount of Vitamin D ingested in traditional diets was about ten times higher than that of modern day diets. 3 It is difficult to get the necessary amount of Vitamin D for vibrant health from sunlight alone, unless you work out in the sun all year long. 3
Vitamin D is absolutely necessary for strong bones, as it helps control the levels of calcium in the blood. It also regulates the immune system, helping with all kinds of immune disorders. Vitamin D is necessary for adequate production of insulin, therefore helping to prevent blood sugar problems. Finally, Vitamin D has been shown to help prevent the growth of cancer. 4
Omega 3’s (EPA and DHA) and cod liver oil
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to your good health. The body cannot produce these fatty acids. Therefore, we must include them in our healthy diets. EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) are omega-3 fatty acids that are commonly found in fish oils, but not in plant-based lipids (such as flax oil). 5 In other words, the body must convert the ALA (a-Linolenicacid) in flax oil to EPA and DHA. One problem with relying on flax oil for your EPA and DHA is that the conversion process of ALA to EPA and DHA is low.
DHA is vital for optimal brain and vision functioning, which is why it is considered an essential nutrient in the brain and retina of the eye. 6 This nutrient also contributes greatly to the health of cell membranes. 6 Healthy cell membranes are very important to your overall health.
EPA contributes to cardiovascular health, along with DHA. 7 EPA can lower the triglyceride:HDL-cholesterol ratio. It can also lower blood viscosity and reduce blood platelet reactivity. 7
Cod liver oil dosage
The dosage of cod liver oil may depend on several factors such as:
- Your daily sun exposure
- Your current state of health and/or level of stress
- Your age
- Your own individual needs as a person
Here is a great resource for determining your cod liver oil dosage.
After doing the research, we have determined that cod liver oil is one superfood that you don’t want to leave out of your diet. The nutrients in this food are essential to healthy reproduction, healthy development and general longevity. Have you taken your cod liver oil today?
Sources:
- Seven Seas. From Folklore to Seven Seas. http://www.sseas.com/about/
- Vitamin A Saga. Sally Fallon and Mary G. Enig, PhD. The Weston A. Price Foundation. http://www.westonaprice.org/basicnutrition/vitaminasaga.html
- The Miracle of Vitamin D. Krispin Sullivan, CN. The Weston A. Price Foundation. http://www.westonaprice.org/basicnutrition/vitamindmiracle.html
- Vitamin D3 and Cancer. Vitamin D Council. http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/cancerMain.shtml
- Welcome to the DHA/EPA Omega-3 Institute. DHA/EPA Omega-3 Institute. http://dhaomega3.org/
- DHA for Optimal Brain and Visual Functioning. DHA/EPA Omega-3 Institute. http://dhaomega3.org/index.php?category=overview&title=DHA-for-Brain-Visual-Functioning
- DHA + EPA for Cardiovascular Health. DHA/EPA Omega-3 Institute. http://dhaomega3.org/index.php?category=overview&title=DHA-EPA-for-Cadiovascular-Health
October 29th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Very good article. Vitamin D is an extremely important vitamin–especially during flu season.
March 27th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
[...] Fish Oil - Fish Oil contains the fatty acids EPA and DHA. DHA is the main constituent of cell membranes in the brain, and a deficiency can weaken your brain. 4 You might also want to read about Cod Liver Oil. [...]
May 18th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
I am just concerned about the main source of Omega 3 which is the liver of fish. as you can see, fishes can accumulate mercury and pcb. -:’
May 18th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
@Tyler Young: Yes, some fish have been known to accumulate large amounts of mercury. These fish are generally the larger fish including tuna fish. Furthermore, there are still some areas of the ocean that test very low in the toxic materials you mentioned; such as areas off the coast of Norway. Finally, Omega-3’s are a very important part of a healthy diet. There is plenty of research to prove this fact. I would think twice before avoiding all sources of omega-3’s because of environmental toxins if I were you.