Cod Liver Oil
Scandinavians have been taking daily spoonfuls of cod liver oil (CLO) for hundreds of years. It was considered a cure-all for many different ailments and it has been proven time and time again that they are healthier thanks to it.
Cod liver oil is a valuable source of vitamins A and D, as well as omega-3 fatty acids. In fact, CLO is a super food since it contains more vitamin A and D than any other food source. This is great considering most of us are not currently obtaining enough of either vitamin through our normal diets.
The traditional method of making cod liver oil involved storing the livers of freshly caught cod in a barrel filled with seawater. The fish guts would begin fermenting, and at a certain point, the walls of the hepatic cells (or fat-storing cells) burst, causing the oil from the liver to rise to the top of the barrel.
Home Remedies using Cod Liver Oil
Cod Liver Oil Benefits and Uses
There are many benefits associated with the daily intake of cod liver oil. Many symptoms that are associated with chronic diseases can be alleviated with CLO supplementation.
The Weston A. Price Foundation (WAPF) has done extensive research on cod liver oil, and recommends the following:
- Children age 3 months to 12 years: A dose of cod liver oil that provides about 5000 IU vitamin A daily, obtained from about 1 teaspoon of regular cod liver oil or ½ teaspoon of high-vitamin cod liver oil.
- Children over 12 years and adults: A maintenance dose of cod liver oil that provides about 10,000 IU vitamin A daily, obtained from 2 teaspoons of regular cod liver oil or 1 teaspoon of high-vitamin cod liver oil.
- Pregnant and nursing women: A dose of cod liver oil that provides about 20,000 IU vitamin A daily, obtained from 4 teaspoons regular cod liver oil or 2 teaspoons high-vitamin cod liver oil.
Heart Health
CLO has been shown to raise LDL (good) cholesterol, reduce HDL (bad) cholesterol and reduce triglyceride levels.
Skin Health
Daily cod liver oil supplementation will help to ease many chronic skin conditions, such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, rosacea and plain dry skin. This is thanks in part to the high amount of omega-3s and vitamin A present in cod liver oil. These two nutrients are essential to skin health: vitamin A is vital for the growth and repair of skin tissue, while omega-3s–particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)–help to regulate oil production in your skin.
Eye Health
If you have chronic dry eyes or suffer from night blindness, consider taking cod liver oil. Cod liver oil contains vitamin A, which is crucial for tear production and general eye health.
Anti-inflammatory
Inflammation is the body's natural reaction to injury or infection, although for some, it can be debilitating. Cod liver oil contains essential fatty acids that will help to reduce the inflammation. This means that if you suffer from allergies, arthritis, asthma, autoimmune diseases and IBS, then CLO supplementation would be beneficial for your condition and will likely bring relief from your symptoms.
Mental Health
Cod liver oil could potentially help those suffering from depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), thanks in part to the vitamin D naturally present in CLO.
Side Effects of Cod Liver Oil
Do not take cod liver oil if you are on any prescription medications.
Consuming large amounts of vitamin A, over 100,000 IU daily, over prolonged periods can be toxic to the body. Toxic levels of vitamin A are associated with abdominal pain, hair loss, itching, scales on the lips and at the corners of the mouth, and changes to menstrual patterns.
