Fish oil, found in oily fish like salmon, can be obtained through supplements or eating fish. Cod liver oil, made from cod liver, is high in vitamin A and is suggested for arthritis sufferers. Both should be taken in moderation as high doses can have negative effects.
Fish oil is found in oily fish species, such as tuna, halibut, and salmon. It can be obtained by eating fish meat or through processed supplements, either in liquid or pill form. Cod liver oil is a type of fish oil made from the liver of a fish called cod. It is usually only found in nutritional supplements since people don’t typically eat fish livers. Cod liver oil and fish oil are often used as dietary supplements because they contain Omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce swelling and pain by acting as anti-inflammatory agents. The body cannot produce these fatty acids on its own, so you must rely on external sources, such as fish oil, to obtain them. Since cod liver oil and fish oil contain Omega-3 fatty acids, they are often suggested to help arthritis sufferers. Cod liver oil, in particular, is often suggested for this purpose, but all fish oil seems to work. Fish oil is also believed to help prevent heart disease and stroke because it helps thin the blood and prevent clotting.
Cod liver oil is made only from cod livers. A type of bottom-dwelling fish, cod live in the cold water of the Atlantic and parts of the Pacific oceans. Unlike most fish used for fish oil, cod is considered a white fish, not an oily fish. That is why the oil is supplied from their liver instead of their meat.
Another difference between cod liver oil and fish oil is the amount of vitamin A present in the supplements. Fish oil generally contains very little vitamin A because that vitamin is not found in the flesh of the fish. However, vitamin A is found in the liver, so cod liver oil contains high amounts of vitamin A, particularly when taken in liquid form. Although vitamin A is useful and necessary in small doses, in large doses it can weaken bones and cause birth defects. There is also a concern with taking contaminants from cod liver oil, since the oil is made from an organ that filters out toxins.
As with any supplement, both cod liver oil and fish oil should be taken in moderation. High doses may increase the risk of bleeding and may prevent adequate blood sugar control in diabetic patients. Fish oil can also interact with high blood pressure medications by further lowering blood pressure, causing it to drop to dangerously low levels. Conversely, some birth control and weight loss pills can decrease the effectiveness of fish oil.
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