Genestra Cod Liver Oil Forte (DHA-EPA) - 300ml

Cod Liver Oil

Cod and halibut liver oils have been used as nutritional supplements for many years. These liver oils decrease inflammation, and thereby, prevent and treat heart disease. A component of the liver oil, EPA, is an important fatty acid in the maintenance of cardiovascular health and the regulation of inflammation. EPA is a precursor to a series of chemicals whose job it is to regulate the inflammatory effects of arachidonic acid.

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.

Essential Fatty Acids

The standard North American diet is deficient in essential fatty acids, especially omega 3s. Every cell needs essential fatty acids for its cell membrane where the fats make the important barrier that lets other molecules into and out of the cell.

There are three categories of EFAs, omega 3, omega 6 and omega 9. Vegetable-based combination oils usually contain alpha-linolenic acid, ALA, for omega 3, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), for omega 6 and oleic acid, for omega-9. The sources of the oils are several of the following: flaxseed, borage, black currant, hemp, pumpkin seed, primrose, sunflower or safflower. Some combination oils include fish oils derived from fish such as herring, cod, mackerel, tuna or salmon. These oils give the added benefit of containing docosahexanoic acid, DHA, and eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, two other types of omega 3 fatty acids.

DHA: The Brain EFA

Docosahexanoic acid is an omega 3 essential fatty acid. It 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.

EPA: The Heart EPA

Eicosapentaenoic acid is an omega 3 essential fatty acid. It is an important fatty acid in the maintenance of cardiovascular health and the regulation of inflammation. EPA is a precursor to a series of chemicals whose job it is to regulate the inflammatory effects of arachidonic acid. Too much arachidonic acid leads to pain and inflammation in conditions such as arthritis. Arachidonic acid also causes inflammation in arteries and leads to the development of atherosclerotic plaques. Deficiency of EPA can result in cardiac arrhythmias, high cholesterol and excessive aging. EPA has been used to treat heart disease, arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

Benefits of Omega-3
Reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Improve overall heart functions.
Reduce triglycerides and increase HDL Cholesterol ("the good cholesterol").
Reduce inflammation in the joints and elsewhere in the body.
Promote healthy brain function by enhancing concentration and attentiveness.
Promotes healthy moods and a sense of well-being.
Improve skin health including dry skin, eczema, psoriasis.
Improve your immune system.
Why are they Essential?

Omega-3s (and omega-6s) are termed essential fatty acids (EFAs) because they are critical for good health. However, the body cannot make them on its own. For this reason, omega-3s must be obtained from food, thus making outside sources of these fats "essential."

Although the body needs both omega-3s and omega-6s to thrive, most people consume far more 6s than 3s. Hardly a day goes by, however, without reports of another health benefit associated with omega-3s. For this reason, many experts recommend consuming a better balance these two EFAs.