Cod Liver Oil: The Super Supplement

Used for centuries all over Europe, and particularly in the Nordic countries, cod liver oil has been hailed for generations as an essential source of good health with many more added benefits. With everyone turning more and more to holistic ways to maintain health and vigor, it's no great surprise that cod liver oil is making a huge comeback here in the United States.

Cod liver oil is one of the best and most concentrated sources of Omega 3 fatty acids such as DHA, EPA, and vitamins A & D. It has been used and is currently used to boost the immune system, aid in the treatment of depression, and help with digestive tract and nervous system imbalances. Cod liver oil also helps build strong bones and joints and keeps skin healthy amongst many other things. In clinical studies, cod liver oil has also been found to lower a child's risk of developing Type 1 Diabetes if the mother took cod liver oil supplements during her pregnancy. The high Vitamin D contents in cod liver oil has also been shown to be effective in warding off certain cancers such as breast and ovarian cancer.

The components of cod liver oil are what makes it so beneficial to every aspect of our health. The DHA in cod liver oil is a fatty acid that our bodies need to keep our eyes, and nervous systems healthy as well as can aid in mood disorders such as depression. EPA is another fatty acid that has been proven to promote cardiovascular health as well as acts as an anti-inflammatory which is excellent for the treatment of arthritis and other conditions that attack joint health. The vitamin A in cod liver oil is important in maintaining healthy skin, strong vision, and a healthy digestive tract, while the vitamin D is essential for regulating blood sugar, boosting the immune system and keeping bones and teeth strong and healthy.

Since, as Americans, our diets are generally lacking in Omega 3's, supplementing our daily food intake with cod liver oil is very important as our bodies do not produce their own omega fatty acids. Cod liver oil can be taken in liquid form and comes in a variety of flavors which make it far more palatable than the oil our grandparents may have been forced to take as children. If the thought of drinking a spoon of anything greasy is hard to stomach, cod liver oil also comes in capsule form making it easy to take and to carry around while traveling or going to work.

Children also can benefit from the nutritional values of cod liver oil, and children abroad have been given this supplement for centuries to ward off infection, colds and much more. As a matter of fact, many baby formulas are now being made with DHA because it is known to boost and aid in the development of a baby's vision, brain and nervous system. It is also being more and more recommended that breastfeeding women should take cod liver oil in order to boost the amount of DHA in their breastmilk. However, once children have grown past infancy and are no longer breastfeeding or drinking DHA rich formula their intake of Omega 3's drops dramatically. In order to continue benefitting from these fatty acids, a small amount of cod liver oil given daily is a perfect way to continue giving your child the benefits of Omega 3's.

When choosing a cod liver oil supplement to take, it is important to make sure that the brand you are purchasing has been well tested and proven to be free of contaminants and heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, and lead. These heavy metals are removed during a process called molecular distillation which purifies the oil and makes it safe for human consumption. Most of the cod liver oil that is sold in the United States is imported from Norway where the oil is flash processed and distilled in order to assure purity and freshness.

All in all, it is simple to say that cod liver oil is a superfood...or a super supplement. It's high levels of essential fatty acids and it's generous dose of vitamins A and D aid in warding off disease, infection, and a multitude of other maladies while treating ones that may already exist. Since our diets are not as high in Omega 3's as they could be, and because we can all benefit from a little extra boost to the immune system, taking cod liver oil is a very simple yet effective way to ensure ourselves and our loved ones of a healthier body and life.