Cod Liver Oil Vs. Fish Oil: Which is Healthiest for You?

In the old days, a bottle of cod liver oil was frequently kept in the refrigerator to be used on a daily basis to treat a variety of ailments including joint stiffness and rheumatism. In the modern day household, you’re more likely to find a container of fish oil capsules taking its place. Interestingly, it appears that cod liver oil may be making somewhat of a renaissance as its benefits are rediscovered. When it comes to cod liver oil vs. fish oil, which is most beneficial from a health standpoint?

Vitamin D

This is probably the most important advantage cod liver oil has over fish oils. Cod liver is a rich source of vitamin D. In fact, the recommended dose of cod liver oil provides almost 1,000 mg. of vitamin D which is around the amount some experts recommended for health. According to an article published by the Journal of the American Board of Family Practice, 42% of adolescents in one study were found to be vitamin D deficient and many adult Americans suffer from deficiency of this important vitamin.

Vitamin D plays an important role in a variety of bodily functions including proper functioning of the immune system, bone health, nervous system function, and appears to protect against certain types of cancer. Most foods unless enriched with vitamin D are poor sources of this nutrient. The best natural source is sunshine which most Americans get in limited amounts due to their busy, indoor lifestyles.

Cod liver oil is an excellent source of much needed, supplemental vitamin D since it’s made from the contents of the fish liver. Fish oils are derived from the flesh of the whole fish which makes them low in levels of this vitamin.

Omega-3s

Experts recommend the use of fish oils primarily for their omega-3 concentrations which appear to offset some of the unhealthy inflammatory changes that take place in the body and help to promote heart health. They also appear to help relieve symptoms of depression and promote optimal brain function. Cod liver oil and fish oils are both good sources of omega-3’s . There’s also the issue of the rancidity of cod liver oil. It should always be kept in a dark bottle in a cool, dark place.

Presence of contaminants

Fish oils may offer some advantages from this perspective. Cod liver oil has been shown to contain a variety of potentially harmful contaminants ranging from mercury to chemicals such as PCB’s and dioxanes. Although certain brands of fish oils may have these same contaminants, most reputable brands have low contaminant levels. Plus, it’s possible to get pharmaceutical grade fish oils which are virtually contaminant free. If you’re concerned about contaminants, pharmaceutical grade fish oils are the best option.

Vitamin A

Cod liver oil is also rich in vitamin A which is a fat soluble vitamin stored in the body and can be toxic at high doses. There’s some concern that the levels of vitamin A found in some brands of cod liver oil may be too high. Although this is unlikely to be a problem if the recommended dose is adhered too, cod liver oil used in excess amounts could result in vitamin A toxicity.

If you live in an area that gets minimal direct sunlight or if you’re unable to get sun exposure on a daily basis, you may want to consider taking cod liver oil, at least during the winter months. If you do, choose a brand that has the lowest levels of vitamin A possible. If you’re able to get vitamin D from other sources and are exposed to the sun daily, pharmaceutical grade fish oils are a better solution due to their lack of contaminants. Pharmaceutical grade fish oils can be purchased online.