Your Guide to Cod Liver Oil Capsules and Soft Gels

"Cod Liver Oil Soft Gels are a Great Source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids!"

If you're looking for a convenient way to take fish oil, cod liver oil capsules is one way to do it.

Packed with omega 3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); you also get a natural source of vitamins and other nutrients. It's no wonder this healthy oil has been a household favorite for generations!

Also known as cod liver oil pills or soft gels, the best cod liver oil is harvested from Arctic Cod.

And wouldn't you know it? Arctic Cod happens to contain one of the highest levels of omega 3's and naturally occurring Vitamins A and Vitamin D.

You can buy cod liver oil pills in a wide range of dosages - from 100 mg. up to the popular 1000 mg. soft gel. And you can also get the soft gels in 100% pure cod liver oil or cod liver oil blended with other oils.

How to get the Best Cod Liver Oil Soft Gels

One of the main things to look at is the type of cod liver oil you're getting.

1. Look for an oil that's been purified and tested to provide adequate amounts of the omega 3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosa-pentaenoic acid (EPA).

The ingredient label should list the milligram amounts per dose of each fatty acid.

2. The best cod liver oil supplements use only 100% pure cod liver oil. Some cod liver oil pills may contain cod liver oil and other oils such as soybean oil, sardine oil, anchovy oil, and tuna liver oil.

   The front of the bottle may say you're getting cod liver oil but in reality you're paying for a cheaper blend of oils.

3. Also important is the amount of Vitamins A and D in your oil.

   I believe the best cod liver oil contains only natural levels of Vitamin A and D found in the fish. Some manufacturers will add synthetic Vitamins A and D to the oil - especially if it contains a blend of fish oils.

Swiss Health Cod Liver Oil Soft Gels

If you only want natural cod liver oils (in their purest state) you should choose an oil that hasn't had other oils or artificial vitamins added. Not all cod liver oil supplements are the same, so remember to read the ingredient labels.

A good source of information is the website of the company that made your cod liver oil. Most reputable companies will provide information on the source of their fish oils, how the oils are made, tell you if other ingredients are in their products, and provide guarantees of testing for purity and quality. Ensuring you're getting quality ingredients will help you avoid cod liver oil side effects.

Comparison of 2 Top-Selling Cod Liver Oil Capsules

Here's a comparison of a 1000 mg. soft gel from two fish oil companies - Nordic Naturals Arctic Cod Liver Oil Capsules and another popular brand, Carlson Laboratories Super Cod Liver Oil Soft gels :

You can see the omega 3 levels are similar, but there's a difference in the amount of vitamins:

• Nordics Naturals offers a range of natural levels of Vitamin A & D in their oil and Carlsons Labs has added Vitamins A & D to provide a consistent amount per dose.

If your cod liver oil capsules contain minimal amounts of Vitamins A and D, you can always supplement with a multivitamin to get these extra vitamins. You can also see that some companies add Vitamin E to help prevent oxidation of the oil.

• There's also a difference in cost per bottle and soft gel.

In the fish oil industry, I truly believe you get what you pay for. Both companies provide highly purified fish oils, but I believe Nordic Naturals offers a more premium cod liver oil and this is reflected in the price.

Continue on to Page 2 and learn about the pros and cons of cod liver oil soft gels and how to get the best cod liver oil capsules supplements.