Cod liver oil, as you might guess, is oil from cod livers. It is rich in
omega-3 fatty acids and may provide numerous health benefits.
It is thought that
omega-3 fatty acids are the main active compounds in cod liver oil. The most important fatty acids in it include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and
docosahexaenoic acid (
DHA). These omega-3 fatty acids have many different effects in the body, such as:
- Lowering triglycerides -- Omega-3 fatty acids lower triglyceride levels by several different mechanisms.
- Reducing inflammation -- Omega-3 fatty acids seem to decrease inflammation in the body by suppressing a specific enzyme (COX-2) and inflammatory chemicals, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF).
- Decreasing blood clots and blood pressure -- Omega-3 fatty acids decrease the production of a chemical called thromboxane A2. This chemical causes blood platelets to stick together, which encourages blood clots, and increases blood pressure. Because omega-3 fatty acids decrease thromboxane A2, they can "thin" the blood, perhaps preventing blood clots, and lower blood pressure.
Cod liver oil also contains quite a bit of vitamins A and D. Some of its effects may be attributed to these vitamins.
These are just a few of the ways that researchers think cod liver oil may work for treating a variety of conditions. As more studies are done, more information will become available.
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