Cod liver oil is a nutritional supplement derived from the liver of cod fish. As its name suggests, cod liver oil is an excellent source of both omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin A.
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for human health, but our bodies can’t produce them on their own. These “good fats” play important roles in brain and heart health, and they can also help to reduce inflammation.
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that’s important for eye health, immunity, and cell growth. Like omega-3 fatty acids, our bodies can’t produce vitamin A on their own, so we must get it from our diet.
While you can find cod liver oil in liquid and capsule form, it’s also sometimes added to other products, such as certain types of fish oil supplements and some brands of peanut butter.
So, what are the benefits of cod liver oil? Let’s take a look.
1. Cod Liver Oil Is Good for Your Heart
Omega-3 fatty acids can help to keep your heart healthy in several ways. They can lower blood pressure, reduce triglycerides, and slow the growth of plaque in your arteries.
All of these effects may help to reduce your risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.
Some studies have shown that cod liver oil may also help to reduce the risk of stroke.
2. Cod Liver Oil May Help to Ease Inflammation
Inflammation is a normal immune response that helps to protect your body from infection and injury. However, chronic inflammation can contribute to several serious health conditions, including heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes.
Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties, and they’ve been shown to help reduce inflammation in a variety of conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
3. Cod Liver Oil May Improve Brain Health
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for normal brain function. They’re involved in the development and function of neurons, and they help to protect the brain from inflammation.
Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids can help to improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
4. Cod Liver Oil May Boost Immunity
Vitamin A is essential for a strong immune system. This vitamin helps to produce white blood cells, which fight infection.
Vitamin A also helps to protect the lining of your respiratory and digestive tracts, which can help to reduce your risk of contracting a viral or bacterial infection.
5. Cod Liver Oil May Help to Prevent osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle. It’s a common problem in older adults, and it’s more common in women than men.
Vitamin A is essential for bone health. It helps to promote bone growth and to maintain bone density.
Some studies have shown that cod liver oil may help to prevent osteoporosis, or at least slow the progression of the disease.
6. Cod Liver Oil May Help to Improve Skin Health
Vitamin A is essential for healthy skin. It helps to keep skin cells renewing at a normal rate and it helps to prevent dry skin.
Some studies have shown that cod liver oil may help to improve the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of aging skin.
7. Cod Liver Oil May Help to Improve Your Mood
Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to improve mood in people with depression and other mood disorders.
These fatty acids work by reducing inflammation and by helping to regulate mood-related neurotransmitters, such as serotonin.
While more research is needed, some studies have shown that cod liver oil may help to improve symptoms of depression.
8. Cod Liver Oil Is Safe for Most People
Cod liver oil is generally safe for most people. However, it can cause side effects in some people, such as nausea, diarrhea, and fishy breath.
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should avoid cod liver oil. This is because it contains high levels of vitamin A, which can be harmful to a developing baby.
If you have any medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or a bleeding disorder, you should talk to your doctor before taking cod liver oil.
Bottom Line
Cod liver oil is a nutritional supplement that’s derived from the liver of cod fish. It’s an excellent source of both omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin A.
Cod liver oil has many potential health benefits, including heart health, brain health, immunity, and skin health. It’s generally safe for most people, but it can cause side effects in some people.
If you’re considering taking cod liver oil, talk to your doctor to see if it’s right for you.
Creation of Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver oil is created from the livers of codfish and is a nutrient-rich source of vitamins, minerals and omega 3 fatty acids. For centuries, it has been used as a dietary supplement in many different cultures. Its many health benefits include helping to reduce inflammation, support joint health, improve vision, boost immunity and aid digestion.
But, how exactly is cod liver oil made? Let’s take a closer look at the creation process from start to finish.
Step 1: Fishing & Sorting
The first step in the cod liver oil creation process is fishing. Codfish that are going to be used to make cod liver oil are caught by hand in the cold waters of Northern Europe or the Atlantic Ocean. Ideally, codfish should be older than 10 years and should weigh more than 5lbs to be suitable for cod liver oil production.
The codfish are then sorted for size and quality. The quality of the codfish is determined by inspecting their eyes—if the eyes are still very clear, the fish is considered to be of high quality and suitable for making cod liver oil.
Step 2: Gutting, Filleting & Extracting
Once the codfish have been sorted, they are gutted and cleaned. This removes the entrails of the fish and ribs so that they can then be filleted.
The fillets are then macerated (which means mashed up or ground up into a paste) and pressed, which releases the oil. This process is done by a cold-pressing machine, which uses high pressure and low temperatures to preserve the nutrients and beneficial qualities.
Once the oil has been extracted, the fish solids (the remains of the fillets) are separated from the oil.
Step 3: Purification
Once the oil is extracted, it goes through a purification process that involves different techniques, such as centrifugation. This removes any solids and other impurities from the oil.
The oil is then filtered again to assure that it is free from any trace metals, such as lead and mercury.
Once purified, the oil goes through a second stage of filtration which removes any sediment and other particles from the oil. This process is done with a fine filter, usually a filter paper.
The oil is then put through a final deodorizing process, which removes any unpleasant odors. After the deodorizing process is complete, the oil is ready to be bottled.
Step 4: Bottling
The cod liver oil is bottled and capped, and can then be refrigerated or frozen until it is ready to be consumed.
The creation of cod liver oil is a complex and lengthy process that begins with the sustainability-focused fishing of the codfish and ends with the bottling of the health-promoting supplement. Each step in the process is essential in order to ensure the quality of the oil and its many benefits upon consumption.
Cod Liver Oil Travels to a Dinner Plate
Now that we understand how cod liver oil is created, let's examine how it travels from its source to an individual's dinner plate. To do this, we will break the process down into three steps: production, distribution, and consumption.
Production
Cod liver oil is mainly produced in Norway and Iceland, both of which have an abundance of live codfish stocks. The main source of cod liver oil is from commercial fishing companies who catch, process and bottle the oil.
They follow the same process described above and their products are inspected for quality control. Once the cod liver oil is produced, it is distributed to retailers around the world.
Distribution
Cod liver oil is distributed to different retailers, such as pharmacies, health shops and supermarkets. It is also available online.
The cod liver oil is packed into drums or different-sized bottles and shipped off to retailers via land or sea. The retailers then store the cod liver oil in their warehouses and make it available for purchase.
Consumption
Once the cod liver oil is available on the retail market, individuals can purchase it and consume it.
Cod liver oil can be consumed raw, incorporated into food recipes or taken as a supplement. As a supplement, cod liver oil is available in capsule, liquid and tablet forms.
It can also be incorporated into everyday food recipes. Cod liver oil can be added to smoothies, soups, sauces, salad dressings and more to add a nutrient-rich boost to everyday meals.
Taking cod liver oil as a supplement or incorporating it into meals on a regular basis can help to promote joint health, reduce inflammation, boost immunity and vision, and more.
Conclusion
Cod liver oil is created from the livers of codfish and is a source of many beneficial vitamins, minerals, and omega 3 fatty acids. From fishing, sorting and gutting to purifying, bottling and finally, consuming, cod liver oil has a fascinating journey from start to finish.
Through understanding the production, distribution, and consumption process, we can all make sure that we are getting the nutritional benefits of cod liver oil straight from the source and all the way to our dinner plates.
Vitamin A | 0.03 grams | |
Vitamin D | 0.25 mg |
Total Sugars | 0.131141 grams |
per 100g
|
Myristic acid (14:0) | 3.57 grams |
|
Palmitic acid (16:0) | 10.63 grams |
|
Stearic acid (18:0) | 2.8 grams |
|
Total Saturated fatty acids: | 17 g | |
Erucic acid (22:1) | 7.33 grams |
|
Oleic acid (18:1) | 20.65 grams |
|
Palmitoleic acid (16:1) | 8.31 grams |
|
Gadoleic acid (20:1) | 10.42 grams |
|
Total Monounsaturated fatty acids: | 46.71 g | |
Omega-3 Timnodonic acid (20:5) | 6.9 grams |
|
Omega-3 Clupanodonic acid (22:5) | 0.94 grams |
|
Linolenic acid (18:3) | 0.94 grams |
|
Linoleic acid (18:2) | 0.94 grams |
|
Total Polyunsaturated fatty acids: | 9.72 g | |
Cholesterol | 0.57 grams |
|
Total Sterols: | 0.57 g |