As we continue through the pandemic and enter the holidays, one thing that is for certain that always arises on the other side of the new year, is peoples newfound desire to better themselves and get healthy. One of the areas that we must look to first, is making sure that we are fueling our bodies with the best and cleanest nutrients. This is often easier said, than done. Now if we aren’t getting the necessary nutrients from our foods, where can we get them? Enter cod liver oil.

Cod liver oil is not a new phenomenon

It has been consumed by cultures for generations, especially those close to the equator for centuries. The question is, why did our ancestors use it so regularly? What are the health benefits of it and how can using it help me? Let us first breakdown what it is and where it comes from.

Cod Liver oil is derived specifically from the liver of cod fish, namely Atlantic cod fish, on the other hand, traditional fish oil is made from the tissue of fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon, and tuna. What this means is that cod liver oil only comes from the most nutrient-dense part of the fish, the liver. Why is this important? This allows cod liver oil to contain not only the omega 3’s that we need, in the form of EPA and DHA, but it also contains amounts of vitamins A and D. Vitamin D is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies today and is often a result of us spending too much time inside and not enough time in the sun.

Omega 3’s is mentioned, what are those, and why are they important? Omega 3’s are fatty acids that are necessary for our bodies to thrive. Omega 3’s aid in the building of cells and help the upkeep of our lungs, heart, blood vessels, and immune system. Unfortunately for us, however, in the standard “American” diet we primarily encounter Omega 6 fatty acids, which are found in our seed and vegetable oils just to name a few. Omega 6 fatty acids often lead to an increase in chronic inflammation. By adding in an extra source of Omega 3 fatty acids, we can help combat this chronic inflammation that is often present.

We now know that cod liver oil contains Vitamins A and D, as well as Omega 3 fatty acids. But what are some of the other health benefits that cod liver oil offers? Some of these potential health benefits include:

• Improving bone health
• Reducing joint pain and symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Supporting eye health
• Reducing the risk of heart disease
• Improve symptoms of anxiety and depression
• Aid in cognitive function

All in all, cod liver oil is a superhero of a supplement. It can provide immense health benefits even though we may only be taking a tablespoon per day. When looking to include cod liver oil into our daily routine, we must remember that quality is far more important than quantity. Always make sure that you know where your liver oil is coming from as well as making sure that the supplier practices safe fishing and processing methods. By doing this, we can ensure that we get a far superior product, as well as avoiding that bad “fishy” taste. A little hint, the cleaner the product the less it tastes like fish. Now get out there and discover the wonderful benefits that adding fish oil into your daily routine can bring.