by Stella Coles

Created on: November 06, 2009   Last Updated: November 26, 2009

As long ago as the 18th century cod liver oil was said to help with many ailments, and although our mothers used to bring out the dreadful - tasting liquid for us to swallow, it actually did us a lot of good. Of course we can now take it in tablet form without any of the taste, so it's quite painless.

Cod liver oil is a nutritional supplement which is derived from the liver of cod fish. It contains high levels of Vitamins A and D, but the major benefit is that it contains two types of omega 3 fatty acids. These are DHA and EPA. DHA is a fatty acid that is essential to keeping our eyes and nervous systems healthy. We need it in our systems to help keep depression at bay. EPA helps to promote a healthy cardiovascular system and is an anti - inflammatory, which means it is helpful to sufferers of arthritis.

Our bodies need fatty acids to help us with various activities such as keeping our nerve and immune system functioning normally, repairing skin and helping us to carry fat around our bodies. Essential fatty acids are vital in the formation of cell walls and because they're not made by our bodies, we need to include them in our diets, hence the benefits of taking cod liver oil daily.

Our bodies need vitamin A to help give us proper vision and healthy skin. Vitamin D helps us to regulate our blood glucose levels and can help towards prevention of Type 2 diabetes, as well as helping us to maintain healthy bones and teeth.

A deficiency of vitamin D has been linked to rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. As we get 90% of our vitamin D from the sun, we only obtain a small amount from our foods such as meat, oily fish, eggs, butter and margarine. Therefore by taking cod liver oil we are getting an additional quota. Studies have shown that there is a definite benefit for arthritis sufferers in taking cod liver oil.

Research in Cardiff, England, involved looking at the effect of Omega - 3 fatty acids on the discarded arthritic knees of patients undergoing knee replacement surgery. Some were treated with Omega-3 for 24 hours while some were not. To mimic an inflammatory response, a chemical was added, and then after a few days the samples were examined.

In the untreated group, it was found that there were enzymes present which were responsible for destroying cartilage in arthritis. In the treated group however, those enzymes as well as the ones that cause inflammation and joint pain, were "switched off". This confirms that cod liver oil is effective and very beneficial to people suffering with arthritis.

Another benefit is that taking regular Omega - 3 supplements can reduce the mortality rate of people who have suffered heart attacks. Several studies have shown this. Taking Omega-3 has helped children with hyperactivity and women with post - natal depression as they have been shown to be lacking in it. Another bonus is that It helps brain function and reduces the inclination of agression in someone who is stressed. There are so many benefits to taking cod liver oil that it certainly is worth considering doing so every day as a supplement.

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