Top 10 Cod Liver Oil Benefits

Cod Liver Oil is the oil that comes from the liver of the Atlantic cod. For many centuries, people in northern Europe have been using Cod Liver Oil to build up their immunity and health, especially during the long winter time. Many people have also known that cod liver oil benefits include treating muscle aches, rheumatism, and joint pains. In the 1930s, cod liver oil was given to children to prevent rickets and other health conditions caused by a deficiency of vitamin D.

Cod Liver Oil Nutritional Profile

The long list of cod liver oil benefits can be attributed to its high nutrient value. Cod liver oil is full of essential vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin D, and it is also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. One teaspoon of cod liver oil contains about 41 calories and 4.5 grams of fat. Both vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acids are very important nutrients that play a vital role in maintaining the health of your cardiovascular, neurological, immune, hormonal, and reproductive system. Vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids are the best reasons why many people take cod liver oil. Today, it is the number one choice for vitamin D supplementation in many countries. Here are ten cod liver oil benefits that can help prevent ailments and disease and boost your overall health.

Relieves Your Muscle and Bone Aches

Intense workouts and exercises often lead to muscle aches. However, muscle and joint pains are also a sign that you are vitamin D deficient. Cod liver oil benefits can help you relieve your muscle and bone aches because it is rich in vitamin D.

Several studies have concluded that regular intake of cod liver oil can increase the vitamin D levels in the body, which helps reduce muscle pain and improve muscle strength. In the early days, cod liver oil was used to treat rickets and abnormal development of bone structures in children. Cod liver oil is a great remedy for treating vitamin D deficiency, which can prevent physical weakness, muscular pain, and retarded growth in kids and adolescents.

Supports Healthy and Strong Bones

Cod liver oil benefits are perfect for supporting strong and healthy bones since it is rich in vitamin D. The best source of vitamin D is the sunlight, but many people don’t get enough of it. People living in areas where there is not enough sunlight are prone to vitamin D deficiency. Seasonal changes can also lead to fewer hours of sunlight, which prevents the body from producing adequate levels of vitamin D. If the body is lacking in vitamin D, there is an increased risk of developing osteoporosis, especially for post-menopausal women.

What is great about cod liver oil is that its vitamin D content is very much concentrated than other food sources, which makes it effective in improving bone density. Cod liver oil is most recommended for post-menopausal women because it helps prevent bone mineral loss and lowers the risk of bone fractures. Athletes and bodybuilders should also take advantage of the cod liver oil benefits because it maintains healthy bone density, especially during intense workouts and strength training.

Prevents Heart Disease

Studies show that cod liver oil benefits can lower high triglycerides in the body. These triglycerides are fats in the blood, which increases the risk of developing heart disease. In Europe, a survey found that people who took cod liver oil regularly had fewer symptoms of heart disease and stroke. Cod liver oil benefits can help maintain a healthy cardiovascular system and prevent fatal heart disease.

Aside from lowering high triglycerides, cod liver oil can also improve your cholesterol levels. The omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil help maintain your blood pressure and cholesterol level, and it lowers the risk of metabolic syndrome, which leads to heart disease.

Regular intake of cod liver oil can help avoid coronary atherosclerosis. The antioxidants in cod liver oil can prevent the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries. Cod liver oil can also provide protection against blood clotting. Another study shows that patients who survived a heart attack show faster recovery when they are supplemented with cod liver oil. The omega-3 fatty acids can heal the artery linings, thus providing a much faster recovery.

Rich Source of Vitamin D

One of the most important cod liver oil benefits is its potential to provide you with a healthy dose of vitamin D. As mentioned earlier, vitamin D plays a huge role in bone metabolism, but it also supports many vital functions in the body. Vitamin D deficiency is bad for you because it can lead to diabetes, heart disease, cognitive disease, osteoporosis, and even cancer.

Today, many kids and adults spend too much time indoors, which means they don’t get exposed to sunlight. This is the reason why many multivitamins contain vitamin D. Research has shown that many illnesses and disease today are caused by lack of vitamin D. People suffering from high blood pressure, autoimmune disease, autism and mental illness, and rheumatoid arthritis were strongly associated with low levels of vitamin D.

However, doctors warn that taking too much vitamin D can have potential side effects. This is the reason why experts recommend taking vitamin D along with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin A. These three essential nutrients are naturally found in cod liver oil, which makes it the perfect vitamin D supplement.

Excellent Source of Anti-Inflammatory Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Cod liver oil benefits are great for providing the powerful anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. The two main omega-3 fatty acids found in cod liver oil is EPA or eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA or docosahexaenoic acid. They have anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat a variety of health problems such as arthritis, depression, and coronary heart disease.

Aside from reducing inflammation, the omega-3 fatty acids are known to improve cardiovascular health, fight mental decline, lower the risk of cancer, support healthy bones, prevent autoimmune diseases, and reduce the risk of macular degeneration.

However, even if omega-3 fatty acids are well-known for its benefits, there are still many people who lack omega 3s in their diet. If your diet has more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3s, then it could cause inflammation, which is the root cause of many diseases. Consuming more processed foods can increase omega-6 in your diet. The best way to lower inflammation in the body is to take advantage of the cod liver oil benefits, which balances the omega-3 and omega-6 ratio in your diet.

Increase Brain Health

Cod liver oil benefits include omega-3 fatty acids that are effective in boosting brain health. Studies have proven that omega-3 fatty acids can fight inflammatory responses that can cause depression, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and abnormal hormone signals in the brain. Consuming cod liver oil can also help control the insulin sensitivity in the brain, which can prevent the onset of type-2 diabetes, obesity, and cognitive decline. According to one study, omega-3 fatty acids contained in cod liver oil is capable of improving the outcome of anxiety and depression in many people. Research has also found that the EPA and DHA in cod liver oil can be used to treat people with the bipolar depressive disorder.

Prevent Diabetes

Cod liver oil benefits can prevent diabetes. Omega-3 fatty acids are known as healthy fats, which help manage insulin resistance and control glucose levels in your blood. It is recommended to take cod liver oil during pregnancy to reduce the risk of developing diabetes. Cod liver oil and vitamin D supplements are given during the first year of the infant’s life to also prevent diabetes. However, it is still advisable for pregnant women and mothers to consult their doctors before using cod liver oil on a regular basis. One study in Europe has found that vitamin D contained in cod liver oil is strongly associated with a reduced risk of type-1 diabetes.

Lowers the Risk of Cancer

If you want to lower your risk of developing cancer, you should take advantage of the cod liver oil benefits. One study has found that taking cod liver oil and obtaining vitamin D through sun exposure can prevent the development of breast cancer in women. Cod liver oil has also been known to prevent other types of cancer such as prostate and colon cancer.

Improve Reproductive Health and the Development of Infant

Cod liver oil benefits can both improve the reproductive health of adults and the development of infants. You need omega-3 fatty acids to maintain a normal and healthy menstrual cycle, fertility, and other reproduction-related conditions. By consuming cod liver oil and increasing the intake of omega-3 fatty acids you can lower the risk of the reproduction and hormone-related problems such as infertility, menstrual cramps, premature birth, low birth weight, low sperm count, preeclampsia, premature birth, and inconsistent ovulation. One study has found that mothers who took cod liver oil during their pregnancy produced children who scored higher on an intelligence test at 4 years old compared to children whose mothers did not take cod liver oil.

Relieves Arthritic Pain

You need the help of cod liver oil benefits to lower your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. If you already have this health problem, cod liver oil can help alleviate the pain and symptoms. Omega-3 fatty acids can prevent joint inflammation and swelling. It can also decrease the pain and severity of arthritis.

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