Cod liver oil, as you can probably guess, is the oil that is extracted from the liver of the cod fish and it is a great source of the healthy Omega 3 fatty acids. Cod liver oil seems to have become less popular these days due to the incredible rise in popularity of the generic fish oil supplements, and although, fish oil itself is great, cod liver oil has some unique benefits that are not found in your average fish oil.
Read about any old bodybuilder and you will find that they highly recommended the use of cod liver oil supplements, heck, ask your grandparents and they would probably recommend the same, especially during the winter months! So, what makes cod liver oil so good?
High in Omega 3s
I think by now, everyone knows the benefits of Omega 3s. They are incredibly beneficial to your cardiovascular health and can help prevent clogged arteries, strokes and even fatal heart diseases. They are also a great tool in lowering high levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Apart from that, they are great for reducing inflammation in the body, especially within the intestines which make them great if you have an intestinal stress disorder, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Cod liver oil is incredibly high in these Omega 3s and it would do you good to start putting some in your diet, by eating the fish or by supplementing with it.
Contains Vitamins A & D
This is where cod liver oil differentiates itself from your average fish oil. Cod liver oil contains vitamins A & D which just can’t be found in regular old fish oil.
Vitamin A is a very effective antioxidant that helps to fight off free radicals within the body and thus helps to further lower inflammation. This promotes an anti-cancer environment within the body. Vitamin A is also essential for good eye health as it is known to fight vision-related disorders.
Vitamin D is an incredibly beneficial vitamin that is found in nature through sunlight (and of course, food) and sadly, most of the general population seems to be deficient in it. This vitamin helps the body by maintaining hormonal balance, improving and maintaining bone and teeth health and by strengthening the immune system. Most people that fall ill during the winter, do so because of a lack of vitamin D, due to the lowered exposure to the sun. Therefore, it’s a great idea to increase your cod liver oil consumption during the winter months.
Can Prevent Diabetes
Not many people may be aware of this but healthy fats, such as those found in cod liver oil, can help control the flow of insulin which helps to combat insulin resistance. This allows better absorption of carbohydrates and helps the body to manage its glucose levels much more effectively. Eat some healthy fats along with your carbohydrates to ensure a controlled release of insulin and a slower digestion rate.