Cod Liver Oil (Cod Liver Oil)

Member Name: Ovetta2001

Product:	Cod Liver Oil
Date:	30/03/07 (2866 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Omega 3, Good for your bones

Disadvantages: Tastes NASTY

When I was 8, I hurt my knee at guilds. Some girl thought it would be funny to put her 14 stone of weight onto one of my legs causing it to bruise and inflame. It hurt so much. The when the accident reoccurred last year (obviously not due to the girl again) I remember my first time. My mother insisted that I took cod liver oil to help the joints repair better and to help the pain. At the time frame I was already taking enough medication so my mum wanted something more natural. It seems to do the trick.

--What it treats--
There are several different reasons for you to take cod liver oil but the main thing it is recognised for is to treat people with rheumatoid arthritis. This is a specific type of arthritis causes inflamed joints. It is helpful for bones in general as well so a lot of people who have experienced sports injuries take it instead of more proscribed medication. It can also be used as a preventative as it helps to maintain strong bones.

--The difference between Cod Liver and EPA Fish Oils--
EPA Fish Oil - This is taken from the body of the fish. Rich in Omega 3 and fatty acids. Is recognised to help many different things including mild depression, concentration and has even been used in experiments on the affects it has over cancer (even though no one would actual write this on the label). It has been advertised a lot recently for its ability to help concentration including on children. Children who took it for a month and had tests throughout that time frame showed significant improvements in their concentration in class. There is an ongoing argument on the affects it has on children with ADHD. Some say that it helps the child to calm down more where as others say it makes them more hyper and worse than when they started.
Cod Liver Oil - This (of course) is taken from the liver of the cod. Also rich in Omega 3 and fatty acids. Know to have vitamin A and D in it. Vitamin A helps many different things including to fight infection, maintains good eyesight and it promotes the growth and repairs of body tissue. Vitamin D is normally collected by the body thanks to the sun and so in the winter you can miss out on this (and if you live in the UK you can miss out of it most of the year). It is really important for the development of your teeth including keeping them strong, it can prevent/protect muscles from becoming weak and it's good for your overall well being.

--When you would/wouldn't take it and why--
The main time frame I would advise against taking cod liver oil is the summer, or any time there is lready sun. As it is rich in vitamin D if you take it in the winter you are topping yourself up with a necessary vitamin your body cant so easily access. If you take it whilst the sun is out, your body may be getting an unnecessary overdose of the vitamin. Don't take it if you have been advised to take omega 3, take a separate supplement with just omega 3 (and maybe 6 and 9 in it).

--The tablet itself - Contents, sizes etc--
The most commonly purchased CLO within Holland and Barrett is High strength 1000mg as it is constantly on promotion, Therefore this is the one I am going to take the contents from. (RDA - Recommended Daily Allowance)

Cod Liver Oil - 1000mg within this is:
Vitamin A 800 ug (RDA 100%)
Vitamin D 5ug (RDA 100%)
Eicosapentaenoic Acid 110mg
Docosahexaenoic acid 100mg

You only need to take one capsule a day, preferably with a meal.

There are two different ways to take cod liver oil. Either as a liquid or a capsule. For quicker results take the liquid form as it gets into the system quicker. For a better taste, take the capsules. There isn't much difference to be honest. It's all to do with your preference.

Don't worry if you are a vegetarian, there are capsules for you too. They are clearly labelled differently so there is no confusion. The down side being that they never seem to be on promotion on only come in small sizes (100 capsules is the max I have seen).

Capsule sizes:410mg and 1000mg
Liquid Sizes:250mg and 500mg

--My experience of it--
I took cod liver oil for seven months. I took the high strength capsule every morning with my breakfast. Immediately I noticed no change. We expected this though as the place we had bought it from stated it's not a miracle cure. I did how ever notice my knee getting significantly better after a month. I had a bad knee for 6 months before turning to this capsule and despite all the medicine given to me by the doctor, this worked the best. Within three months I was able to feel like I could take up running cross country again (not that I actually did. No need to take the risk after all).

When my injury reoccurred I went straight to my local food shop and got a fresh batch. I actually noted down everything this time though.

Week 1 - Ew, one of the capsules broke in my mouth yesterday…I think I may be sick. On a serious note though, no more inflammation but it doesn't feel any better.
Week 2 - I am able to stand on my knee now will next to no pain. The last time I did this with the aid of doctors' medication, it took several months with next to no result.
Week 3 - I can easily stand on my knee and apply pressure to it now. Walking is almost effortless again
Week 4 - Huge improvement from a month ago. Aware to take it easy with my knee but can do a days work without eating painkillers like smarties. Fandabitastic

--(Possible) side effects--
Cod Liver Oil is actually pretty good for you all over. The main thing is that if you are pregnancy or breast feeding you must check with your doctor before. Some for if you are taking any medication. If you think you have a good diet already then something else to help may be in order. There is no need to have Vitamins A, D and Omega 3 if you are already eating it within your food. So ask yourself what your diet is, what supplements you are already taking and why you want it. Then think if it is the best thing for you.

--Prices--
Well now, that all depends on when you go into your local store and what promotion they have. At time of print, you could purchase 240 high strength 1000mg capsules for £4.99 OR 500 high strength 1000mg capsules for £10.39. And I believe as on 05/04/07 there will be a 3 for 2 offer on all products in store. It honestly depends on when you go. The best thing to do is find out your local stores number and ask then what the current best offer is.

--Cod Liver Oil and…--
You can purchase CLO either on its own or with other products in it. This can be very useful (and cost effective) if you have two capsules in one. You can get CLO with:

Evening Primrose Oil - RRP £4.79 - This can be used to promote good skin, hair and nails. It is also used by females to help level hormones and calm their 'monthly's'
Glucosamine - RRP £5.99 - This is used to reduce inflammation and repairs the tissue between the joints. So if you have a bad injury, so you dislocated something. This would help the bone and the joint tissue
Odourless Garlic - RRP £4.69 - Good for many different things but used for your digestive system a lot. And with it being odourless there is no worry about smelly breath.
Multivitamins - RRP £4.99 - Instead of taking CLO and a multivitamin you can take it all in one.
Calcium - RRP £6.49 - Good for your bones and teeth. So works well with the CLO.

(Remember that even though I'm going by the RRP, it's the smallest one and getting them during promotions is a lot cheaper)

--Alternatives--
Omega 3 - Can take a separate supplement or having a good amount of fish in your weekly diet (like…..Cod Liver Oil!)
Vitamin A - A specialised supplement. In food like: Egg yolks, milk, dried apricots, carrots (BUNNNNNNNYYYY), spinach and liver.
Vitamin D - A specialised supplement. The sun - any excuse to get a tan! Salmon, Tuna, milk, margarine, eggs, beef and Swiss cheese.
Inflammation - For this there are several different things that you could try. They include Glucosamine, Devils claw or Cats claw. Ask the Holland and Barrett product advisors for details on what will suit you best.

Would I recommend it?
Now this is a tricky one. The simple answer yes. The difficult is no. For me this was the perfect product and for people with a similar problem I would definitely say "BUY NOW, BUYYYYYYYYY YOU MONKEY" and even though you would think I was crazy you would get the idea. HOWEVER, if you take medication, have anyone of the problems mentions above, have something similar…the list goes on. Then I would rather not recommend it to you. The best thing to do is to go to your local Holland and Barrett and speak to a product advisor. They will be able to determine what is best for you and your condition :)

Summary: Good for ya :)