Norwegian cod liver oil – a helpful remedy for children and adults

Fish oil is considered an excellent supplement due to its high content of Omega-3 fatty acids and a number of health benefits. From improving heart function to reducing inflammation, the versatility of fish oil has made it a permanent fixture on household shelves as an effective remedy for many ailments. However, is fish oil really beneficial for our bodies? What properties does fish oil have, and what exactly is it?

Fish oil for drinking – what is it?

Fish oil is nothing more than thick fish oil extracted from various species of fish. Unsaturated fatty acids are very often taken in the popular form of fish oil for drinking. They also play a dominant role in the development and functioning of the brain. These include, for example, the following acids:

• EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
• DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)

Numerous scientific studies report the benefits of a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in large quantities in cod liver oil.

Cod liver oil – what are its characteristics?

Cod liver oil is a rare oil extracted directly from the livers of naturally occurring cod populations in the North Sea. Compared to other types of fish oil, cod liver oil is much richer in omega-3 fatty acids, as well as vitamins A and D.

The first mentions of the practical use of oil obtained from cod liver date back to the time of Hippocrates. The peak of cod liver oil's popularity, however, came during the industrialisation period. It was then used as a tonic, especially for childhood diseases, as well as malnutrition and the resulting weakness of the body.

Today, cod liver oil is one of the most popular types of fish oil not only in Poland, but also worldwide. From the point of view of modern science, the fatty acids and vitamins it contains suggest that fish oil has a beneficial effect on the human body and mind.

Norwegian fish oil – why is it so healthy?

Cod liver oil is easily digestible and contains many health-promoting nutrients. These have a positive effect on the condition of bones, muscles and the immune system, and can prevent many diseases. Norwegian cod liver oil, i.e. certified cod liver oil obtained in Norway, should be taken for as long as necessary.

Norwegian cod liver oil contains the following ingredients:

• Iodine
• Phosphorus
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Omega-3 fatty acids

First and foremost, it is the naturally occurring vitamins A and D and omega-3 fatty acids that make cod liver oil so healthy.

Norwegian fish oil – properties worth knowing about

The vitamins, trace elements and fatty acids contained in Norwegian fish oil are involved in many processes in the human body, thanks to which they can have a positive effect on our daily functioning.

What are the properties of cod liver oil?

• Helps fight inflammation – chronic inflammation is a risk factor for many diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Cod liver oil has anti-inflammatory properties, lowering the level of TNF-alpha in the blood, which is responsible for promoting inflammation in the body.
• Improves cognitive performance – vitamin D helps maintain good brain health. Thanks to vitamin D, vitamin A and DHA fatty acid, the brain produces neurotransmitters much faster, while reducing the secretion of potentially negative stress hormones.
• Helps joints – Scientific studies show that cod liver oil can reduce pain and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. This is probably due to the fact that vitamins A and D are also powerful antioxidants, capable of reducing inflammation by capturing free radicals.
• Lowers blood pressure – thanks to this property, Norwegian cod liver oil can have a preventive effect on the eyeball, improving its condition and normalising blood pressure when it is elevated.

Cod liver oil – what does it help with?

Currently, cod liver oil is used not only in cases of nutrient deficiency and related negative symptoms, but also in situations requiring preventive reduction of the risk of certain lifestyle diseases. Studies indicate the effectiveness of Norwegian cod liver oil in the prevention and treatment of the following conditions:

• Diabetes – fish oil is considered a promising means of preventing diabetes. For example, one study provided evidence that children are less likely to develop type 1 diabetes if they consume fish oil in the first years of their lives. There is also evidence to suggest that fish oil has a preventive effect in type 2 diabetes.
• Depression – thanks to its high content of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A, D and E, scientists have been able to show that in communities where fish oil consumption is a daily routine, the symptoms of depression are less severe.
• Cardiovascular disease – high blood pressure is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. According to some studies, fish oil lowers blood pressure and reduces the risk of death from heart failure.

Users of cod liver oil report many other beneficial effects on health and well-being.

Cod liver oil for children – is it safe?

Cod liver oil has many health benefits for children. However, it should only be given to a child after being prescribed by a family doctor or paediatrician. Breastfed babies can reap a number of benefits if their mother takes cod liver oil daily. This is because the ingredients in cod liver oil support the development of nerve tissue in the baby's brain, digestive tract and spinal cord.

In addition, cod liver oil is equally important during adolescence. At this stage, children can already use cod liver oil-based products without a specific prescription. Studies have shown that cognitive processes, attention and stimulus processing in both adolescents and younger children have clearly improved after consuming cod liver oil. What is more, fish oil contains substances that neither a child's nor an adult's body is able to produce on its own.

Norwegian fish oil for children – benefits

Here are some of the benefits that a child can gain from regular supplementation with cod liver oil:

• High source of vitamin D – regular use of cod liver oil can help with proper bone development in children, precisely because of its high vitamin D content
• Helps reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes in children – the number of cases of type 1 diabetes among children is growing every year. Early administration of cod liver oil to children can help reduce the risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
• It aids in proper brain development – the presence of Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil has a beneficial effect on a child's brain development. It has also been noted that administering fish oil during infancy or the last trimester of pregnancy plays an important role in the optimal development of a child's brain.
• Supports the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections – fish oil has been shown to have enormous benefits in reducing the risk of various upper respiratory tract infections.
• It has a beneficial effect on eye health – fish oil maintains good eye health in children. The significant amount of vitamin A in fish oil is not only good for healthy vision, but also beneficial in reducing the risk of diseases associated with the visual system, such as glaucoma.

Flavoured Norwegian cod liver oil – a delicious alternative for children and adults?

Cod liver oil has a very strong and specific taste, which children and adults may not like. In such cases, flavoured alternatives to plain cod liver oil come to the rescue.

Despite containing natural flavourings, flavoured Norwegian cod liver oil works in the same way as the original cod liver oil. For this reason, children and adults alike can enjoy the health benefits of cod liver oil while enjoying the pleasant taste of refreshing mint, stimulating orange or tart, sweet lemon. This makes daily consumption of cod liver oil an even more eagerly awaited moment of the day. What is more, flavoured cod liver oil can also be an interesting addition to, for example, morning porridge, salads or various soups and sauces.

Bibliography

‘Fish and fish oil in health and disease prevention’ – S. K. Raatz, Academic Press, 2016.

‘Effects of cod liver oil on tissue antioxidant pathways in normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats’ – T. Hünkar, F. Aktan, A. Ceylan, Ç. Karasu, scientific journal Cell Biochemistry and Function, John Wiley & Sons, 2002.

‘Effectiveness of antioxidants on lipid oxidation and lipid hydrolysis of cod liver oil’ – D. A Pereira de Abreu et al., scientific journal European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology, John Wiley & Sons, 2011.

Cod liver oil, other dietary supplements and survival among cancer patients with solid tumours – G. Skeie et al., International Journal of Cancer, John Wiley & Sons, 2009.

‘A palatable cod liver oil concentrate possessing the therapeutic properties of cod liver oil’ – H. E. Dubin, Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, 1925.

Cod liver oil extracts—I. Chemical composition and properties – A. K. Epstein, B. R. Harris, Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, 1925. ‘Sun beds and cod liver oil as vitamin D sources’ – A. C. Porojnicu et al., Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, Elsevier Science, 2008.

‘Effect of cod liver oil on symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis’ – J. Gruenwald, H. J. Graubaum, A. Harde, Advances in Therapy scientific journal, Springer Healthcare Communications, 2002.

‘Use of cod liver oil during pregnancy associated with lower risk of Type I diabetes in the offspring’ – L. C. Stene, J. Ulriksen, P. Magnus, G. Joner, scientific journal Diabetologia, Springer, 2000.

‘Long-Term Administration of Cod Liver Oil Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment Induced by Chronic Stress in Rats’ – E. Trofimiuk, J. J. Braszko, scientific journal Lipids, Springer-Verlag, 2011.