Cod liver oil

Latin name

Gadus spp.

Origin

Liver oil

Active components

Omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)): the omega-3 fatty acids are essential to a normal metabolism. They seem to have an anti-inflammatory effect and a positive effect on the cardiovascular and nervous system.

Vitamin A: an essential antioxidant for the immune system, bone growth, vision, cell growth.

Vitamin D: a substance resembling cholesterol, that plays an important role in maintaining bone strength and muscular function, among others.

Usage

Historically, cod liver oil was used to treat rickets in children and rheumatic pain in adults. Thanks to its high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A and D, this oil was then used to treat calcium metabolism, respiratory system, circulatory and nervous system disorders. Vitamin D can be produced in the human body under the influence of the sun's ultraviolet rays. This is why it is useful for certain communities to regularly take a vitamin D supplement. Cod liver oil, which was administered to many children at the start of the 20th century, was yellowish in colour with a rancid taste and a smell of rotting fish, which means that today most people find this product disgusting. Today, thanks to effective extraction and preservation techniques, the quality has been largely improved. As a result, the taste and odour are more or less neutral.

Bibliographical references

Effect of cod liver oil on symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Gruenwald J, Graubaum HJ, Harde A.
Adv Ther. 2002 Mar-Apr;19(2):101-7.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12069368
Divergent anti-inflammatory effects of different oil acute consumption on healthy individuals.
Papageorgiou N, Tousoulis D, Psaltopoulou T, Giolis A, Antoniades C, Tsiamis E, Miliou A, Toutouzas K, Siasos G, Stefanadis C.
Eur J Clin Nutr. 2011 Apr;65(4):514-9.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21326271
Antiulcer activity of cod liver oil in rats.
Khare S, Asad M, Dhamanigi SS, Prasad VS.
Indian J Pharmacol. 2008 Oct;40(5):209-14.
PMC: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2792623/?report=printable
Cod liver oil (n-3 fatty acids) as an non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug sparing agent in rheumatoid arthritis.
Galarraga B, Ho M, Youssef HM, Hill A, McMahon H, Hall C, Ogston S, Nuki G, Belch JJ.
Rheumatology (Oxford). 2008 May;47(5):665-9
Oxford Journals: http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/47/5/665.full.pdf+html
Rickets in Denmark.
Beck-Nielsen SS.
Dan Med J. 2012 Feb;59(2):B4384.
Danish Medical Journal: http://www.danmedj.dk/portal/pls/portal/!PORTAL.wwpob_page.show?_docname=8758868.PDF
Early animal models of rickets and proof of a nutritional deficiency hypothesis.
Chesney RW.
J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2012 Mar;54(3):322-7.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22134552
Childhood cod liver oil consumption and bone mineral density in a population-based cohort of peri- and postmenopausal women: the Nord-Trondelag Health Study.
Forsmo S, Fjeldbo SK, Langhammer A.
Am J Epidemiol. 2008 Feb 15;167(4):406-11
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18033763
Seasonal variation in 25(OH)D at Aberdeen (57°N) and bone health indicators--could holidays in the sun and cod liver oil supplements alleviate deficiency?
Mavroeidi A, Aucott L, Black AJ, Fraser WD, Reid DM, Macdonald HM.
PLoS One. 2013;8(1):e53381.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23308207
Vitamin D deficiency in healthy children in a sunny country: associated factors.
Bener A, Al-Ali M, Hoffmann GF.
Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2009;60 Suppl 5:60-70
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18946796
Dietary habits and their association with blood pressure among elderly Icelandic people.
Arnarson A, Geirsdottir OG, Ramel A, Jonsson PV, Steingrimsdottir L, Thorsdottir I.
Laeknabladid. 2012 Oct;98(10):515-20.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23043064
Vitamin D recommendations: beyond deficiency.
Biesalski HK.
Ann Nutr Metab. 2011;59(1):10-6.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22123631
Sun exposure, vitamin D intake and progression to disability among veterans with progressive multiple sclerosis.
McDowell TY, Amr S, Culpepper WJ, Langenberg P, Royal W, Bever C, Bradham DD.
Neuroepidemiology. 2011;37(1):52-7.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21822026
Cod liver oil. A natural Vitamin D for preserving health.
Fehér J, Kovács I, Corrado BG.
Orv Hetil. 2011 Feb 27;152(9):323-30
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21324803
Cod liver oil: a potential protective supplement for human glaucoma.
Huang WB, Fan Q, Zhang XL.
Int J Ophthalmol. 2011;4(6):648-51.
PMC: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3340802/pdf/ijo-04-06-648.pdf
Vitamin D: extraskeletal health.
Holick MF.
Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2010 Jun;39(2):381-400
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20511059
Worldwide status of vitamin D nutrition.
Lips P.
J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2010 Jul;121(1-2):297-300
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20197091
Mother was right about cod liver oil.
Griffing GT.
Medscape J Med. 2008 Jan 11;10(1):8.
PMC: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2258476/
Clinical application of omega-3-fatty acids (cod-liver oil).
Vermel' AE.
Klin Med (Mosk). 2005;83(10):51-7.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16320848
Dietary (n-6 : n-3) fatty acids alter plasma and tissue fatty acid composition in pregnant Sprague Dawley rats.
Kassem AA, Abu Bakar MZ, Yong Meng G, Mustapha NM.
ScientificWorldJournal. 2012;2012:851437.
PMC: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3317550/pdf/TSWJ2012-851437.pdf
Effect of supplementing pregnant and lactating mothers with n-3 very-long-chain fatty acids on children's IQ and body mass index at 7 years of age.
Helland IB, Smith L, Blomén B, Saarem K, Saugstad OD, Drevon CA.
Pediatrics. 2008 Aug;122(2):e472-9.
Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/122/2/e472.full.pdf+html
Polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diet and breast milk of lactating icelandic women with traditional fish and cod liver oil consumption.
Olafsdottir AS, Thorsdottir I, Wagner KH, Elmadfa I.
Ann Nutr Metab. 2006;50(3):270-6.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16508255
Relationship between dietary intake of cod liver oil in early pregnancy and birthweight.
Olafsdottir AS, Magnusardottir AR, Thorgeirsdottir H, Hauksson A, Skuladottir GV, Steingrimsdottir L.
BJOG. 2005 Apr;112(4):424-9.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15777439
Differential effects of fish oil and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy in rats on cognitive performance and serum glucose in their offspring.
Joshi S, Rao S, Girigosavi S, Daware M, Kale A, Hegde M.
Nutrition. 2004 May;20(5):465-72.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15105035
Cod liver oil, young children, and upper respiratory tract infections.
Linday LA.
J Am Coll Nutr. 2010 Dec;29(6):559-62.
Journal of the American College of Nutrition: http://www.jacn.org/content/29/6/559.long
Do early intake of fish and fish oil protect against eczema and doctor-diagnosed asthma at 2 years of age? A cohort study.
Oien T, Storrø O, Johnsen R.
J Epidemiol Community Health. 2010 Feb;64(2):124-9.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19666630
Epidemic influenza and vitamin D.
Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Umhau JC, Holick MF, Grant WB, Madronich S, Garland CF, Giovannucci E.
Epidemiol Infect. 2006 Dec;134(6):1129-40.
PMC: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2870528/
Long-term administration of cod liver oil ameliorates cognitive impairment induced by chronic stress in rats.
Trofimiuk E, Braszko JJ.
Lipids. 2011 May;46(5):417-23.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21442272
Modulatory effect of cod-liver oil on Na(+)-K(+) ATPase in rats' brain.
Kumosani TA, Moselhy SS.
Hum Exp Toxicol. 2011 Apr;30(4):267-74.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20488854
Associations between cod liver oil use and symptoms of depression: the Hordaland Health Study.
Raeder MB, Steen VM, Vollset SE, Bjelland I.
J Affect Disord. 2007 Aug;101(1-3):245-9.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17184843

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The health claims relating to other nutrients or substances contained in our products that feature on our site are compliant with Regulation No. 432/2012 of the Commission of 16 May 2012 which establishes a list of authorised health claims authorised in relation to food products, other than those in reference to the reduction of the risk of disease as well as community-based development and child health (cf. website of the European Commission: http://ec.europa.eu/nuhclaims/).