Keep those joints supple! (Cod Liver Oil)

Member Name: Suzan

Product:	Cod Liver Oil
Date:	05/12/01 (1506 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: keeps you supple, eases aches and pains, tastes nicer than WD40

Disadvantages: Having to admit to your age

Do you remember, when you were a child, your loving mother bearing down on you with a spoonful of nasty, pale yellow gloop that looked and tasted like used engine oil? Do you remember her saying that it would do you good, as you swallowed it and gagged? Well, in this, as in most things, Mama really did know best. Cod liver oil is very, very good for you.

What Is Cod Liver Oil?

I hope this doesn’t sound too much like stating the obvious, but cod liver oil is a substance derived from the livers of coldwater, deep-sea fish (generally cod) and mostly from fish in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.It is high in the fat-soluble vitamins A, D and E and is an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids. It has been used for centuries as a natural medicine, and indeed, from 1930 to 1950 it was supplied free by the Government to children as a food supplement.

What Is Cod Liver Oil Good For?

Cod liver oil has been shown to be very beneficial in relieving the pain and stiffness of arthritic and rheumatic conditions, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. ((My husband, who has arthritis in his knees, swears by it.) In fact, cod liver oil has been described as “Nature’s Lubricant.”
It is also beneficial for patients suffering from bone disease.

Cod liver oil is also extremely helpful in the prevention of coronary heart disease. It has the ability to reduce the formation of blood clots, and to help the blood flow more freely through the arteries. Cod liver oil is also thought to be able to lower the levels of blood cholesterol, and to also lower blood pressure. Not only is this helpful in preventing heart disease in the first place, but is also beneficial for those patients who are already suffering from heart problems. It is of particular help to patients with angina.

The benefits of cod liver oil in the prevention and control of heart disease were discovered by observing that the inciden
ce of heart disease in Eskimos and Japanese people is remarkably low, and their diets contain large amounts of fish oils.

There is evidence that cod liver oil has some benefit for patients suffering from inflammatory conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It is also recommended as a supplement for patients with MS (multiple sclerosis)

I was intrigued to find out while reading up about the benefits of cod liver oil that it has been proven to be useful in treating dysmenorrhea (painful periods) as it encourages the production of prostaglandins, the body’s own painkillers. For the same reason it can also bring relief from migraine. There is also some suggestion that cod liver oil may help patients with depression.

Cod liver oil is also a useful supplement for patients with skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and lupus.

It may also be of some benefit in the management of Raynaud’s disease.

Cod liver oil helps to maintain a healthy immune system.
Cod liver oil helps to keep your skin, hair, teeth and bones in good condition. It also has a beneficial effect on eyesight. (due to its Vitamin A content.)

Who Should NOT Take Cod Liver Oil?

As a general rule, patients with heart complaints, asthma and those with diabetes mellitus should consult their doctor before taking cod liver oil supplements. Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant should avoid cod liver oil because of its high Vitamin A content, which may cause problems in pregnancy. In rare cases, cod liver oil can cause nose bleeds, because of its ability to reduce blood clotting. A few people may experience slight gastro-intestinal upsets from taking high levels of fish oils, which may lead to fishy burps. If you are in any way unsure whether you should take cod liver oil, please check with your doctor or pharmacist.

For most people, though, cod liver oil is an excellent and safe food su
pplement. My husband and I have taken it for years with no problems, and we have no hesitation in recommending it. We take Holland and Barrett’s own high strength capsules, which contain 1000mg of cod liver oil and provide 100% of the recommended daily amount of vitamins A and D.The capsules are free from wheat, gluten, yeast, sugar, starch, lactose, salt, preservatives, soya and artificial colourings and flavourings.

At the time of writing Holland and Barrett have half-price offers on much of their range of vitamins and supplements. A 120 capsule bottle of high strength cod liver oil is only £2.49,so if you would like to try the benefits of cod liver oil for yourself, now’s the time to do it.

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