Cod liver oil: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Family or group:
Fatty Acids
Active ingredients:
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)
Vitamin A
Vitamin D
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Eye health ✪✪✪✪✪
The components of cod liver oil (EPA, DHA, vitamin A) are recognized for their effectiveness in the development of vision in infants and children.
Posologie
Oral administration
10 - 20 mL
Pregnancy ✪✪✪✪✪
Results from one study suggest that maternal intake of cod liver oil during pregnancy is associated with a reduced risk of type 1 diabetes in the child. This association could be attributed to the effects of vitamin D or the omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) present in cod liver oil, or to a combination of both. Clinical research shows that taking cod liver oil at 500 mg per day for 12 weeks, starting from the 24th–28th week of gestation, reduces HbA1c by 8.4%, fasting blood glucose by 41%, and insulin resistance by 43% compared with baseline values in women with gestational diabetes. A reduction in perinatal complications and postpartum infections was also noted. Furthermore, cod liver oil supplementation is beneficial for pregnant women because it provides vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids essential for fetal development, notably for bone growth and brain development.
Posologie
Oral administration
20 - 40 mL
Effects of Maternal omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation During pregnancy/lactation on Body Composition of the Offspring: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 440/2011 of 6 May 2011 on the authorisation and refusal of authorisation of certain health claims made on foods and referring to children’s development and health.
Use of cod liver oil during pregnancy associated with lower risk of Type I diabetes in the offspring
Vitamin D deficiency ✪✪✪✪✪
Epidemiological research has shown that increasing daily cod liver oil intake is associated with higher serum levels of vitamin D. This suggests that its consumption could be an effective way to increase vitamin D intake, particularly during periods of low sun exposure. Moreover, a study conducted among postmenopausal women in northern Scotland demonstrated that those who consumed a daily cod liver oil supplement were less likely to suffer from vitamin D deficiency during the winter and spring, compared with those who did not take a supplement.
Posologie
Orally
10 mL
Depression ✪✪✪✪✪
Results from a large epidemiological study of Norwegian adults aged 40 to 49 and 70 to 74 show that daily oral intake of cod liver oil is associated with a 29% reduction in the risk of depressive symptoms compared with no cod liver oil intake. Cod liver oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), as well as vitamins A and D, may play a role in protecting against brain oxidative damage and inflammation associated with depression and may promote neurogenesis in the hippocampus.
Posologie
Oral administration
15 mL
Hypercholesterolemia ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research indicates that daily consumption of 20 mL of cod liver oil for 8 weeks appears to increase levels of HDL "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins) by 5 mg/dL compared with baseline. On the other hand, another clinical study conducted in men who had a myocardial infarction shows that a daily intake of 20 mL of Icelandic cod liver oil for 6 weeks reduces triglycerides by 18 mg/dL, with no improvement in LDL levels. A larger clinical study in hypercholesterolemic patients shows that taking cod liver oil in combination with rosuvastatin (a drug in the statin class) further reduces total cholesterol and LDL compared with rosuvastatin monotherapy.
Posologie
Oral administration
20 mL
6 weeks
Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to EPA, DHA, DPA and maintenance of normal blood pressure (ID 502), maintenance of normal HDL-cholesterol concentrations (ID 515), maintenance of normal (fasting) blood concentrations of triglycerides (ID 517), maintenance of normal LDL-cholesterol concentrations.
Role of Cod Liver Oil in Reducing Elevated Lipid Parameters
Rheumatoid arthritis ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical studies have shown the benefit of consuming 1 to 10 g of cod liver oil over a period of 3 to 9 months in reducing pain and decreasing the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.nnHowever, the studies remain preliminary or of limited quality.nn
Posologie
Oral administration
1 - 10 g
36 - weeks
The concomitant consumption of cod liver oil causes a reduction in the daily diclofenac sodium usage in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a pilot study
Effect of cod liver oil on symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Properties
Antiplatelet agents/Anticoagulant
Older studies suggest that consumption of cod liver oil may have significant effects on blood coagulation. These studies, conducted primarily on healthy volunteers, report a prolongation of bleeding time by up to 81%, a reduction in platelet aggregation induced by thrombin, ADP, or collagen, and a decrease in platelet thromboxane B2 production in response to thrombin. Consumption of cod liver oil is also associated with a reduction in thromboplastin synthesis, a key enzyme in the coagulation cascade. The clinical impact of these changes on platelet aggregation and bleeding times, however, remains uncertain.
Effects of dietary supplementation with cod liver oil on monocyte thromboplastin synthesis, coagulation and fibrinolysis
Alteration and recovery of bleeding times, platelet aggregation and fatty acid composition of individual phospholipids in platelets of human subjects receiving a supplement of cod-liver oil
Anti-inflammatory
Cod liver oil, rich in the omega-3 fatty acid EPA, plays a notable role in modulating inflammatory responses. This oil inhibits the conversion of arachidonic acid into inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes, and serves as a precursor to series-3 prostaglandins and series-5 leukotrienes, which are less inflammatory. nnThese anti-inflammatory properties of cod liver oil have attracted growing interest, particularly in the sports context for reducing exercise-induced inflammation. An observational study of amateur athletes found that regular consumption of cod liver oil is associated with lower levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, both before and after a 91-kilometer bike race, compared with no or occasional consumption. nn
Usages associés
Cardiovascular
Consumption of cod liver oil effectively reduces blood glucose levels, improves lipid profiles, and lowers high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, a marker of inflammation, according to a study.nnThe study also highlights a reduction in insulin resistance, measured by HOMA-IR, in patients taking cod liver oil. These results suggest potential benefits of cod liver oil in managing metabolic and inflammatory complications related to gestational diabetes.nn
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adults aged 18 years and older: 10 mL - 20 mL (oil)
Cod liver oil is most often used at a dose of 10 to 20 mL per day for a period of up to 4 months.nn
Pregnant women: 10 mL (oil)
In clinical research, cod liver oil, at a dose of 10 mL per day orally (providing 1,170 mcg of vitamin A and 10 mcg of vitamin D per day), has been used safely from week 17 of pregnancy until delivery, and for 3 months during the breastfeeding period.nn
Breastfeeding women: 10 mL (oil)
Cod liver oil, at a dose of 10 mL per day, can be safely consumed during breastfeeding.nn
Infant from 6 to 12 months: 2.5 mL (oil)
In clinical studies, children aged 6 months to 1 year safely received 2.5 mL of cod liver oil per day for 5 months.nn
Child from 1 to 5 years: 5 mL (oil)
Children aged 1 to 5 years safely received 5 mL per day for 5 months.nn
Interactions
Médicaments
Antiplatelet agents/anticoagulants: low interaction
High doses of cod liver oil (20-40 mL) are associated with increased bleeding time and reduced blood clotting.
Antihypertensive: low interaction
Cod liver oil has a hypotensive effect; combining it with antihypertensive medications could intensify the effects.
