Cod liver oil is an
oil extracted from cod livers. Prior to the fortification of milk with vitamins
A and D, it was commonly given to children as a nutritional supplement. As well
as being an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin D, it is also a good
source of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA). Depending on the quality of the
oil, the flavor and aroma range from a mild sardine-like flavor, to an intense
and obnoxious odor of rotten fish and rancid oil. High quality cod liver oil is
"a pale-yellow, thin, oily liquid, having a peculiar, slightly fishy, but not
rancid odor, and a bland, slightly fishy taste." It has recently become popular
to flavor cod liver oil with citrus or mint essence to make it more palatable.
Cod liver oil is made by cooking cod livers with steam and then
pressing/decanting the cooked livers to extract the oil. By contrast, fish oils
are extracted from the cooked whole body tissues of fatty fish during the
manufacture of fish meal. Cod liver oil and fish oil are similar but have a
somewhat different composition: fish oil has a much lower content of vitamins A
and D compared to liver oils.
This may pose a problem in that one may need to exceed the Recommended Dietary
Allowance (RDA) of vitamins A and D in order to obtain therapeutic amounts of
EPA and DHA from cod liver oil.
Because the body naturally produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, a common
way to benefit from both oils while avoiding a vitamin D overdose is to take cod
liver oil during the winter, and fish oil during the summer. On the other hand,
the RDA of vitamin D is considered by many to be strongly understated.
The source of this article is
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this
article is licensed under the
GFDL
Real Ways to Get Rich on the Internet!
Post nasal drip, lose weight, diabetes, Alzheimer's, more
How to Cope with Life's Problems
how to clean athletic shoes, get rid of roaches
*This
site does not provide medical advice.
The contents of this site, such as text, graphics, images, information and other
material ("Content") contained on the this site, is for information purposes
only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical
advice, diagnosis or treatment (and the Site does not render medical, nursing,
or professional health-care advice in any jurisdiction). Always seek the advice
of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may
have regarding a medical condition or medical treatment. Never disregard
professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have
read on this Site.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, or 911 or other
emergency service number immediately. Our site does not recommend or endorse any
specific tests, products, procedures, opinions or other information that may be
mentioned on the Site. Reliance on any information provided by this Site is
solely at your own risk.