Home > Cod liver oil
Cod liver oil is an oil extracted from cod livers. Once commonly given to children daily as a nutritional supplement, it is rarely given today, probably because of its foul taste. Cod liver oil is a significant source of supplemental vitamin A and D; however these vitamins were chemically isolated and added to fortified milk from the mid 20th century on, eliminating the need to take the oil. Now, scientists are discovering that it wasn't just the vitamins in cod liver oil that are healthy, but they say essential fatty acids found in fish oils (such as omega-3) also help brain function.Cod liver oil and fish oils are similar but not the same. Cod liver oil is extracted from cod liver. Fish oils are extracted from the tissues (flesh) of fatty fish like salmon and herring and are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids: EPA and DHA. Fish oils usually contain very little vitamin A and D, but cod liver oil does contain some EPA and DHA. However, you would probably exceed the recommended daily intake of vitamins A and D if you were to try to obtain therapeutic amounts of EPA and DHA from cod liver oil.
