"Fortify and Strengthen your Body with this Healthy Fish Oil!"
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What is cod liver oil and why is it good for you?
Before fish oils and flaxseed oil became popular nutritional supplements, cod oil was one of the first healthy oils used in many households around the world.
While this marine oil may not be as popular as it once was, there are good reasons why Mothers chose to give this nutritional supplement to their kids on a daily basis.
First of all, this oil is a natural source of the omega-3-fatty-acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Among their many benefits, omega 3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation in your body. This oil also contains natural levels of vitamin A and vitamin D.
As mentioned above, a daily spoonful of this healthy oil provides omega 3 fatty acids. These healthy fats provide a variety of benefits:
Support the healthy development of your brain and nervous system.
This oil also provides one of the highest sources of Vitamin D and Vitamin A. A deficiency in any of these vitamins can have a profound effect on your overall health and vitality.
Vitamin D not only builds strong bones, it may also help fight off Multiple Sclerosis, cancer and boost your immune system.
Vitamin A helps your eyes adjust to different light conditions (night vision). This nutrient keeps your eyes & skin moist and supple; and it also helps fight infections by keeping your mucous membranes moist which helps trap germs before they enter your body.
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| Constipation | Colitis | Cancer | Ear Infections | Heart Health | Joint Pain | Pregnancy | Side Effects | Buyer's Guide | Lemon Flavored Oils | Product Reviews | The Best Cod Oils |
Getting a daily spoonful |
Constipation - In the good ol' days, Mothers used to give this oil to treat constipation. Constipation is a common complaint for many and there are a number of causes that may aggravate or increase its frequency.
There's an Old Wive's tale this oil helps 'lubricate' the stomach, thereby making it easier for food to migrate through the digestive tract. Does this home remedy really work? You may be surprised to learn the answer to this common home remedy!
Colitis & Irritable Bowel Syndromes - Recent research shows there may be a place for these healthy oils in treating irritable bowel diseases. Animal studies showed this oil helped reduce the progression of colitis. Researchers discovered this oil reduced inflammation after 30 days of treatment.
Additional studies found this oil may have an antioxidant effect by reducing free radical damage in the bowel. If you suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, you may be interested in how this oil may reduce the signs and symptoms of colitis.
Can this fish oil prevent or reduce your risk for cancer? Chinese researchers found children that took cod liver oil showed lower rates of leukemia than children who didn't take the oil. While this doesn't mean this nutrient can prevent leukemia there's evidence chronic low levels of specific vitamins and nutrients may increase the risk for some diseases.
Use of cod oil may have some merit; studies have shown an increased risk for lung tumors when a diet is deficient in vitamin A and Norwegian researchers found people who smoked cigarettes showed lower rates of lung cancer when they increased their intake of vitamin A.
Enjoy the benefits of |
If you've got young children you may be concerned about the risk for ear infections. Researchers at Columbia University found childen undergoing inner ear tube surgery had low levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), vitamin A and selenium.
What would happen if you gave children with chronic ear infections cod liver oil? Researchers found these children reduced the number of days they needed for antibiotics to treat their symptoms.
If you're looking for a natural way to boost your heart health this oil may be just what you're looking for!
Cod liver oil helps reduce high triglyceride levels. High triglyceride levels may increase your risk for heart attacks and strokes.
Scientists at the University of Norway gave a group of healthy men a daily dose of four teaspoons of cod liver oil. The men experienced improved HDL cholesterol levels and their blood became thinner which reduced their risk for blood clots and strokes. Scientist believe cod liver oil may reduce hardening of your arteries and lower inflammation.
Do you suffer from joint pain? A number of studies found cod liver oil helps reduce the enzymes that destroy joint cartilage and improves morning stiffness and swollen joints.
One study showed a daily dose of 2000 mg. of cod liver oil reduced pain and joint damage. While nutritional therapies to treat joint disease is still an experimental field, there is research showing this fish oil may help relieve swollen joints, pain and muscle aches.
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Can you use this oil while you're pregnant? Since this oil contains a natural source of vitamin A, there are concerns that excessive levels of this vitamin may increase the risk for birth defects. However, a recent study from The National Institute of Child Health and Development found no risk for birth defects from moderate use of vitamin A.
Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to offer many health benefits to babies and mothers. Studies indicate these healthy fats are vital for optimal development of the nervous and vision systems of the fetus. Additional studies have shown a reduced risk for allergies and asthma when pregnent mothers increased their intake of omega 3 fatty acids.
While this is a natural supplement, you should be aware of possible side effects, including an increased risk for bleeding and excessive vitamin A and D levels. One of the best times of the year to take cod liver oil is during the Winter months when sun exposure is limited which may reduce your vitamin D levels. Using a high quality fish oil will lower your risk for fish burps and other side effects from ingesting rancid fish oils.
Many pet owners like to know if you can give cod liver oil to dogs? One of the main benefits is a healthier and thicker fur coat, as well as stronger nails. While many dog foods can come fortified with omega 3 fatty acids, you may need to supplement to ensure your pet is getting enough of these healthy fatty acids.
How do you choose |
Using a Buyer's Guide with information on different brands, prices and omega 3 concentrations can help you choose the right product. You should look for Certificates of Analysis and take a close look at the ingredient labels before purchasing any products.
You can get this supplement in different forms - liquid oils and soft gel capsules. One of the advantages of soft gels is the oil is protected from being tampered with and you get a precise dosage of oil in every dose.
Disadvantages of soft gels is you usually get a lower dose of omega 3 fatty acids per pill compared to a spoonful of liquid fish oils. You may also pay more per dose for soft gels, compared to the liquid form.
You should also be aware of the types of ingredients you may get in soft gels and how much it costs per capsule.
If you don't want to use capsules, you can buy lemon flavored cod oils. This is one of the most popular forms of this marine oil. Many of these flavors are extracted from essential oils and you should read the label to determine if the flavoring is natural or synthentic.
You'll find many nutritional supplement companies offer a flavored cod oils with prices ranging from $15 to $25 a bottle. You can get these products in different omega 3 concentrations and price points so it's important to look at the ingredient labels to determine what you're getting.
Some of the most popular flavored cod oils are by Carlson Labs and Twinlab Norwegian Oils. Both of these products offer substantial amounts of omega 3 fatty acids in a highly-purified state.
If you're looking for to buy the best cod oils you can probably find some at your local organic health store and at online retailers. The advantage of online shopping is you can compare different products, prices and ingredients to help you source out the right product that meets your needs.
Cod liver oil provides a natural source of vitamins A and D, as well as essential omega 3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. So crack open a bottle and make sure to get your daily dose of sunshine in a bottle of cod liver oil!
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