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Steven's Blog
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News › COD LIVER OIL
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NATURE’S SUPERFOOD
Our forefathers understood the health benefit of nutrient-dense cod liver oil, but this wisdom was all but lost in the modern world. Now folks in growing numbers take cod liver oil daily Modern processing has made it possible to produce pleasant-tasting oil that has little in common with the rancid, smelly oil of old. Today it is preserved with vitamin E and comes in citrus and other flavours. The cod liver oil sold in health food shops goes through a filtration process to take out any toxins. It should be stored cold.
Mercury is water-soluble and gathers in the flesh of fish, not in the liver. This ever-present toxic heavy metal has made many people wary of fish as a source of omega 3 essential fatty acids (EFA). Cod liver oil is a whole food that contains not only these EFA, but vitamin A and D as well. Many people lack these vital nutrients with the unhealthy eating habits of today and the benefit is much greater when they are taken together in a natural food rather than as isolated substances.
There is now a widespread deficiency of vitamin D as people stay indoors so much and also keep out of the sun because of fear of skin cancer. Too much sun during the peak UV hours of summer is hard on the skin, but some sun exposure is needed for the production of vitamin D in the body. Getting plenty of morning and late afternoon sun is also helpful. In the subtropics and tropics there is enough sunshine all year round to make vitamin D, but those living in cooler climates generally need cod liver oil for at least half the year, when it is darker. Vitamin D protects against cancer and regulates the absorption of calcium to keeps bones strong, while a lack of it weakens bones and can lead to osteoporosis. Cod liver oil has a higher concentration of vitamin A and D than any other food. For centuries northern Europeans have taken cod liver oil to deal with the lack of sunlight and thrive in their cool, dark climate. A deficiency of vitamin D plays a much greater role in the current epidemic of osteoporosis than getting too little calcium, as is generally thought. Ironically, osteoporosis is worst in countries with the highest calcium intake.
Vitamin A supports eyesight, the health of the skin and the lining of the digestive tract. Skin and intestinal problems do not heal well without adequate vitamin A. It is also crucial to the proper breakdown of protein. Many people mistakenly believe that beta-carotene in plant food supplies vitamin A. However, beta-carotene is only a precursor of real vitamin A and the conversion to vitamin A is rarely optimal. Overdoing physical exercise, drinking a lot of alcohol, eating a lot of polyunsaturated oil, taking several kinds of medication and having a zinc deficiency can all hinder the conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A. On the other hand, cod liver oil gives us enough real vitamin A for sound health.
Cod liver oil is also rich in the omega 3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA, which support especially the central nervous system and help to overcome hyperactivity in children. Everyone over the age of three may need cod liver oil. Pregnant and breast-feeding women can better their children’s intelligence by taking cod liver oil. The brain consists of about 60 percent fat and DHA makes up a substantial part of this fat. Many take fish oil to get the essential fatty acids, but they miss vitamin A and D. Cod liver oil goes beyond fish oil with both the omega 3 fatty acids and the fat-soluble vitamins A and D. Fish oil is enough if the skin gets plenty of sun during the summer months. The kind of omega 3 in flaxseed oil, ALA, is not the same and must be converted to EPA and DHA. However, the body cannot convert much ALA, so it is wiser to take fish oil to get the needed omega 3.
Fish oil and cod liver oil help to fight and prevent many illnesses, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, ulcers, arthritis, depression and Alzheimer’s. They also help prevent colds and the flu. Fish oil and cod liver oil give great support to pregnant women to make the pre and post-natal time less problematic. They also raise energy levels as well as concentration and memory.
Cod liver oil has something for everyone, so take it whenever needed and enjoy its many benefits. Children generally need only half the dose that adults take. The dosage varies, depending on how concentrated the product is. So follow the recommendation on the label. |
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