Cod Liver Oil 'Grandma's Forgotten Medicine'

[Guest guest]

http://www.healthy.net/asp/templates/news.asp?Id=8188

 

Cod Liver Oil 'Grandma's Forgotten Medicine'

 

 

Provided by Total Health on 12/28/2003

by Rubin, Jordan

 

 

 

 

 

 

Originally Published:20031001.

A visit to grandma's house 50 years ago brings back memories of holding your

nose while swallowing an oily liquid that you're told is " good for you. " The

nutritional wisdom of the ages has the unique ability to withstand time and

scientific scrutiny. Cod liver oil is one such " medicine " that returns to the

nutrition forefront over and over again because of its enduring, time-proven

nutritional and medicinal value.

Far north, in the icy Atlantic, lives a truly remarkable culture of people who

have withstood the challenges of harsh weather and long seasons of darkness for

a thousand years. This is the island nation of Iceland.

Cod liver oil has always been an important part of the diet of the Icelandic

culture. The recognition of the importance of vitamins A and D, as well as the

omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil, seemed almost instinctive to those living

in that often dark, cold region of the world.

Both life insurance data and genetic research have shown that Iceland now tops

the charts for longevity throughout the world. Many scientists believe this is

largely due to their regular consumption of cod liver oil, which begins soon

after birth.

Today Icelanders are a medical marvel. They have less heart disease and high

blood pressure than any other culture in the world. Iceland has the lowest rate

of infant mortality. The Icelandic women give birth to healthy babies with

well-developed immune and nervous systems, in addition to optimal brain and eye

function.

Cod liver oil was used in the prevention and treatment of everything from minor

infections to the most severe cases of chronic joint pain long before science

could even explain its beneficial properties. As late as the 184Os, when cod

liver oil was being successfully prescribed in the treatment and prevention of

rickets, scientists still could only speculate as to how and why it worked.

Beneficial Components of Icelandic Cod Liver oil

This marvelous golden oil contains large amounts of elongated omega-3 fatty

acids, preformed vitamin A, the sunlight vitamin D, small amounts of the

important bone and blood maintainer vitamin K and essential nutrients that are

hard to obtain in sufficient amounts in the modern diet. Cod liver oil provides

vitamin D that helps build strong bones in children and helps prevent bone

deterioration in adults. The fatty acids in cod liver oil are also very

important for the development of the brain and nervous system. " If you want to

prevent learning disabilities in your children, " said the late David Horrobin,

M.D., Ph.D. and distinguished medical and biochemical researcher, " feed them cod

liver oil. "

Cod liver oil contains more vitamin A per unit weight than any other common

food. One hundred grams of regular cod liver oil provides 100,000 IU of vitamin

A, almost three times more than beef liver, the next richest source. In

addition, cod liver oil contains seven percent each of the elongated omega-3

fatty acids EPA and DHA. EPA is the precursor of important prostaglandins,

localized tissue hormones that help the body deal with inflammation and DHA is

extremely important for the development and function of the brain and nervous

system.

Vitamin A held great promise as an antiinfective agent prior to WW II, but with

the subsequent discovery of sulfa antibiotics for the treatment of infection,

the scientific community soon lost interest in vitamin A and clinical trials

ceased.

It wasn't until the 1980s and early 90s that several large randomized,

double-blind, placebo-controlled studies were conducted in developing countries

around the world, showing that vitamin A supplementation could reduce child

mortality by about one-third. In 1993, the World Bank declared that

supplementation of vitamin A in children is one of the most cost-effective

health interventions we have.

Cod liver oil provides a continuous source of vitamins A and D throughout the

year.

Numerous studies have shown that the elongated omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver

oil improve brain function, stress response, allergies, memory and learning and

behavioral disorders, including manic depression.

Syndrome X

There is growing evidence that many of the so-called " diseases of modern

civilization " come as a result of relatively high levels of omega-6 fatty acids

low levels of omega-3 fatty acids and a deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins. Many

of the precursors for these diseases fall under the heading of Syndrome X, a

term coined by Stanford University researchers used to describe a cluster of

conditions, including high blood pressure, high triglycerides, decreased HDL and

obesity, which when occurring together, increase the risks of many degenerative

diseases.

The term Syndrome X is also used in reference to a condition known as insulin

resistance, in which cells in the body respond sluggishly to the action of

insulin. People with insulin resistance often have elevated triglycerides that

usually coincide with low HDL. Often these people are overweight and a daily

dose of cod liver oil would benefit them greatly. Cod liver oil can help to

improve glucose response and other insulin markers.

Healthy Cardiovascular Function

Cod liver oil greatly improves cardiovascular function. It plays an important

role in helping to prevent and treat heart conditions. The elongated omega-3

fatty acids in cod liver oil beneficially affect the linings of the arteries,

while vitamins A, D and K help to facilitate mineral absorption, improve muscle

function and support elasticity of the blood vessels. Cod liver oil also acts as

a natural blood thinner, keeping platelets from sticking together, thereby

helping to reduce the likelihood of clogged arteries. There is considerable

evidence that cod liver oil may reduce high cholesterol levels as well.

Dr. Weston A. Price noted many years ago, that deaths from heart failure

increased during periods when vitamin A content was low. With cod liver oil, one

can easily ingest the required amount of vitamin A throughout the year,

effectively lowering the risk for heart disease.

RELIEF From Chronic Joint Pain

The benefit of cod liver oil to those suffering from all forms of chronic joint

pain cannot be overstated. Exclusive joint research in Great Britain found that

the elongated omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil reduce pain and damage to

inflamed joints and can even reverse the destruction of joint cartilage. In

women higher levels of vitamin D from cod liver oil improves bone mineral

density.

Bruce Caterson, Ph.D. professor at the Cardiff University School of Biosciences,

highly recommends cod liver oil to those suffering from chronic joint

conditions, particularly for those who experience adverse side effects when

taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and COX-2 inhibitors, the

drugs most commonly prescribed for these conditions.

Improves Digestive Disorders

A study published in 1990 showed that the omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil

were impressively effective in treating digestive and bowel disorders. Another

study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1996, showed that an

enteric-coated preparation of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids significantly

reduced the rate of relapse in patients with digestive disease that were in

remission. The corticosteroid requirements were reduced, as was the disease

activity index, and gastrointestinal histology improved overall. Cod liver oil

is an ideal supplementation for those suffering with irritable bowel and

digestive disorders.

Depression and Other Mental Disorders

Research has suggested that the balance of omega-3 fatty acids in the brain may

become skewed in people with depression. In addition, other studies suggested

that omega-3 fatty acids may help minimize, if not alleviate, symptoms of a

number of other mental imbalances.

A recent study involved 70 depressed patients who, for 12 weeks, were given a

daily dose of one to four grams of the elongated omega-3 fatty acid EPA.

Sixty-nine percent of the patients who took one gram of EPA daily for 12 weeks

achieved a 50 percent reduction in symptoms, including sadness, anxiety, lowered

sex drive and sleeping problems.

Pregnancy and Breast Feeding

Cod liver oil improves the fatty acid profile in breast milk and promotes

optimal brain development in the fetus, while increasing the levels of vitamin A

for the prevention of infections. Books on feeding infants published in the

1930s and 1940s routinely recommended cod liver oil, starting with one teaspoon

at the age of three weeks.

A study published in the January 2003 issue of Pediatrics examined the effects

of supplementing pregnant and lactating women with very long-chain omega-3 fatty

acids from cod liver oil, monitoring the mental development of their offspring

compared with those of mothers supplemented with long-chain omega-6 fatty acids

from corn oil. Researchers concluded that the intake of very long-chain omega-3

fatty acids from cod liver oil may be favorable.

The study showed that four-year-old children of mothers who were supplemented

with very long-chain omega 3-fatty acids from cod liver oil had higher mental

processing scores than the children of mothers who were supplemented with

long-chain omega-6 fatty acids from corn oil.

Prevents Middle Ear Infections

Middle ear infections are common among children during the winter months and

often are preceded by upper respiratory infections. A recent study published in

the July 2002 issue of Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology showed low

levels of three important chemicals in children that may predispose them to

middle ear and upper respiratory infections, two of which are found in

sufficient quantities in cod liver oil.

The first is eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid that helps

decrease inflammation. " This was a new and important finding, " said Linda A.

Linday, M.D., a pediatrician and researcher at the New York Eye and Ear

Infirmary.

The second chemical of importance lacking in these children was vitamin A, also

present in large quantities in cod liver oil.

According to Dr. Linday, " This study provides preliminary evidence that middle

ear infections may be prevented and that the reliance on antibiotics may be

reduced among young children by using nutritional supplements. "

Note: The third missing chemical is selenium, which can be easily supplemented

along with cod liver oil.

Relieves Skin Disorders

The regular consumption of omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial to those

suffering with inflammatory skin disorders, as well as itchy, irritated skin.

Sufferers generally register low levels of omega-3 fatty acids and have altered

essential fatty acid metabolisms. Therefore, the regular consumption of cod

liver oil, high in omega-3 fatty acids, may be beneficial in reducing the

inflammation and overall severity of these conditions.

Topically applied, cod liver oil contributes to faster wound healing and

improvement in skin quality. An excellent treatment for diaper rash and other

skin conditions is cod liver oil mixed with zinc oxide. In addition, cod liver

oil taken orally helps maintain soft skin and minimize wrinkles.

Heavy Metal Testing

One concern about taking cod liver oil is the presence of heavy metal

contaminants such as mercury, cadmium and lead, as well as PCBs, etc. The good

news is that consumers need not be concerned. all cod liver oils in the U.S.

must be tested and approved according to protocols of the Association of

Analytical Communities (AOAC), to be free of detectable levels of 32

contaminants before they can be imported into this country. Furthermore, mercury

is water soluble. It may be present in the flesh of the fish but not in the oil.

Resource: Olde World Icelandic Cod Liver oil is produced by Garden of Life®.

Available through your local health food store, or for more information call

800-622-8986 or log onto www.gardenoflifeusa.com

 

 

© 2003 Total Health. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights

Reserved

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find out what made the Top Searches of 2003