Last Updated on February 7, 2021
4. Reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes
Consuming cod liver oil during pregnancy might reduce type 1 diabetes risk in babies. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition also suggests the same effect can be achieved if the cod liver oil is fed to newborns during their first year of life. Although type 1 diabetes is not as common as type 2 diabetes, it can have serious complications, so it is always a good idea to do what we can to prevent it.
3. Reduce the risk of heart disease
Heart disease is the most common cause of death worldwide. In the United States alone, it killed precisely 647,457 people in 2017 (the most recent year for which the CDC provided accurate data). Knowing this statistical fact, everyone should do everything in their power to lower the risk of heart disease. And it doesn’t really take much effort: living an active lifestyle and having a balanced diet will drastically reduce the odds of developing heart disease. Apparently, adding a cod liver oil supplement to your diet can also help due to its high omega-3 fatty acids content. These fatty acids have a positive impact on several heart disease risk factors: they help reduce triglycerides; lower blood pressure; increase HDL cholesterol levels (known as the good cholesterol); and prevent plaque formation.
2. Improve mental health
In recent years, there has been a real concern about the increase of mental health issues like anxiety and depression, especially among the younger generations. Some medical experts suggest that chronic inflammation might be co-responsible for the development of anxiety and depression symptoms. The omega-3 fatty acids found in cod liver oil can help decrease chronic inflammation, meaning they might help prevent the mental health issues aforementioned. Vitamin A and vitamin D also have a say when it comes to reducing inflammation. These nutrients are antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and prevent damage. Moreover, other studies suggest that vitamin D can reduce depression by stimulating serotonin production and improving your overall mood.
1. Improve memory and cognitive function
The medical community is aware that certain nutrients can promote better brain health. In that regard, the impact that omega-3 fatty acids might have on brain health has been widely studied in the last few years. There are strong reasons to believe that these fatty acids can improve cognitive function and protect the brain against neurodegeneration, especially in older adults. As a consequence, it can also have a positive effect on memory and the prevention of dementia – it’s worth remembering that Alzheimer’s disease is among the leading causes of death in most developed countries. _ It is important to note that despite the existence of several studies that support most of the benefits we’ve discussed, there’s still not enough evidence to claim with absolute confidence that cod liver oil can really have an impact on all those fronts. With that being said, let’s end this article by taking a closer look at the nutritional profile of cod liver oil. One teaspoon (or roughly 5 ml) contains: Calories: 40 Fat: 4.5 g Omega-3 fatty acids: 890 mg Vitamin A: 4,500 international units (about 90% of the reference daily intake) Vitamin D: 450 international units (about 113% of the reference daily intake)
