Arachidonic acid causes inflammation in arteries and leads to the development of atherosclerotic plaques.  Syndrome X conditions such as obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance, adult onset diabetes and stroke are helped by cod/halibut liver oil.  Fish liver oils contain the vitamins D and K which improve bone health by regulating the uptake of minerals in the intestine and modulating bone building.

Thus fish liver oils prevent and reverse rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.  The essential fatty acid, DHA, in fish liver oils is an essential component of the brain and central nervous system.  It seems to concentrate in areas where there is lots of electrical activity, such as the synaptosomes, where nerve cells communicate, and the photoreceptors of the eye.  This is why a deficiency of DHA can result in poor brain development, attention/deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disorders, memory problems and poor visual development.   Topically applied, cod/halibut liver oil contributes to faster wound healing and improvement in skin quality sue to it’s vitamin A content.

Cod/halibut liver oil contains more vitamin A and more vitamin D per unit weight than any other common food. In addition, they contain 7 percent each of the essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, and small amounts of vitamin K.  Some fish liver oil supplements are altered from their normal nutrient ratios to provide more or less of the above mentioned nutrients.  Children, and pregnant or nursing women, should use caution when using fish liver oils because of their fat-soluble vitamin content.

Cod/halibut liver oil can be purchased as liquid, flavoured liquid or soft gel capsules.  All cod/halibut liver oil supplements in North America are tested for contaminants.  Choose a reputable supplement because proper processing of the oil is important to prevent rancidity.  Although it is not necessary, refrigerate liquid supplements and keep capsules away from heat to increase their shelf life.

The fat-soluble vitamins in fish liver oils are best absorbed with a meal that contains fat.  Absorption of vitamin A, D and K is inhibited by some medications including antibiotics, antacids, steroids, laxatives, mineral oil and some cholesterol lowering medications.