WHAT DOES A COD LIVER OIL SOFT GEL CAPSULE CONTAIN? A. CARLSON COD LIVER OIL From the product label of regular Carlson Cod Liver Oil, 1 serving (1 soft gel) contains 1 g of total fat, 4 mg of cholesterol, 2000 IU of vitamin A (from cod liver oil), 250 IU of vitamin D (from cod liver oil), 10 IU of vitamin E[C Natural (d-Alpha Tocopherol), 240 mg of omega-3 fatty acids (from cod liver oil), 90 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid, 120 mg of docosahexaenoic acid), 20 mg of ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) and 10 mg of DPA (Docosapentaenoic acid). B. SEVEN SEAS ONE-A-DAY Standard - COD LIVER OIL Based on the Seven Seas' Ad (September 20, 2005), the standard strength (525 mg) of pure cod liver oil contains 525 mg of pure cod liver oil, 120 mg of omega 3 nutrients, 83.2 mg of which EPA and DHA, 800 ug of Vitamin A, 2.5 ug of Vitamin D, 0.33 mg of Vitamin E. Other ingredients include capsule shell (modified maize starch, glycerol, gelling agent: carrageenan, acidity regulator: disodium phosphate), Vitamin A (as Palmitate prep), Vitamin D3 (as D3 prep), Vitamin E (d Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate). They recommend to take one capsule with liquid each day. C. NORDIC NATURALS ARCTIC COD LIVER OIL PEACH 90 SOFTGELS (Based on the Ad, September 20 2005) The serving size for this product is two softgels. Each container has 45 servings. Each serving contains 2 g of total fat, 0.4 g of saturated fat, 5 mg of cholesterol, 350-780 IU of vitamin A, 2-16 IU of Vitamin D, 33 IU of Vitamin E, 280 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), 180 mg of ecosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 100 mg of other omega-3. Other ingredients include gelatin, water, glycerin and natural peach essence. They suggest to take two softgels daily with meals. D. ICELAND HEALTH REGULAR STRENGTH OMEGA-3 - COD LIVER OIL Based on its label, the recommended dose for adult is 3 softgels per day. Each serving contains 5 I.U. of Vitamin E, 504 mg of omega-3 fatty acids (252 mg of Ecosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 168 mg of Eocosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and 84 mg of other omega-3 fatty acids). E. SPECTRUM ESSENTIALS NORWEGIAN COD LIVER OIL WITH LEMON According to its advertisement, this product is molecularly distilled. It contains on mercury PCBs or lead. This cod liver oil product is tested by a 3rd party. The serving size is 5 ml , containing 4.5 g of total fat, 940-2350 IU of Vitamin A, 0-19 IU of Vitamin D, 0-1 IU of Vitamin E, 540 mg of docosahexaenoic acid, 340 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid, 300 mg of other omega-3, 120 mg of omega-6, 1,100 mg of oleic acid. However, this product also contains 25 mg of cholesterol. ______________________________________________________________________________________ Cod Liver Oil Vs Fish Oil The manufacturing process of cod liver oil is similar to that for fish oil, while the raw material for cod liver oil is cod liver, the raw material for fish oil is whole fish. The types of omega-3 oils are the same for both products. However, more contaminants may be present in the cod liver oil supplements, however, it also depends on the manufacturing process. The excessive amount of vitamin A and D may offer side effects. Do not overdose yourself with cod liver oil. ________________________________________________________________________________________ Conclusion 1. Intake of cod liver oil provides multiple health benefits. 2. Compared to fish oil, cod liver oil provides extra benefits, due to the presence of vitamins A and D. 3. Users should not overdose themselves with cod liver oil, because vitamins A and D are fat-soluble. Intake of large amounts of vitamins A and D may lead to toxic levels. REFERENCES [A1] Rajakumar K et al Reemerging nutritional rickets: a historical perspective. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2005 Apr; 159(4):335-41. [A2} Barker ME et al, Serum retinoids and beta caroteneas predictors of hip and other fractures in elderly women. J Bone Miner Res. 2005 Jun;20(6):913-20 Epub 2005 Jan 24. [1] Effect of cod liver oil on symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Adv. Ther. 2002 Mar-Apr.19(2):101-7. Study Preparation. [2] Formation of genotoxic dicarbonyl compounds in dietary oils upon oxidation, Lipids. 2004 May;39(5):481-6. [3] Curtis CL et al Biological basis for the benefit of nutraceutical supplementation e.g. cod liver oil in arthritis. Drug Discov Today. 2004 April 1;9(7):336. 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[X8] Moselhy SS et al, Modulatory effect of cod liver oil on bone mineralization in overiectomized female Sprague Dawley rats. Toxicol Ind Health. 2011 Oct 27. [X9] Dyck MC et al, The anticancer effects of Vitamin D and omega-3 PUFAs in combination via cod-liver oil: one plus one may equal more than two. Med Hypotheses. 2011 Sep;77(3):326-32. [X10] Kristinsdottir H, et al, Rickets in a child Laeknabladid. 2011 Sep;97(9):477-80. [X11] Trofimiuk E,Long-term administration of cod liver oil ameliorates cognitive impairment induced by chronic stress in rats. Lipids. 2011 May;46(5):417-23 [X12] McDowell TY, et al Sun exposure, vitamin D and age at disease onset in relapsing multiple sclerosis. Neuroepidemiology. 2011;36(1):39-45. [X13] Kumosani TA et al, Modulatory effect of cod-liver oil on Na(+)-K(+) ATPase in rats' brain. Hum Exp Toxicol. 2011 Apr;30(4):267-74. [X14] Khare S, et al, Antiulcer activity of cod liver oil in rats. Indian J Pharmacol. 2008 Oct;40(5):209-14 [AA1] Salama MF, et al, Hepatoprotective effects of cod liver oil against sodium nitrite toxicity in rats. Pharm Biol. 2013 Jul 18. [AA2] Mai XM, et al, Cod liver oil intake and incidence of asthma in Norwegian adults--the HUNT study. Thorax. 2013 Jan;68(1):25-30. [AA3] Moselhy SS et al, Modulatory effect of cod liver oil on bone mineralization in overiectomized female Sprague Dawley rats Toxicol Ind Health. 2012 Jun;28(5):387-92. |