Cod Liver Oil Research-Based Benefits

Natural Cod Liver Oil

Natural Cod Liver Oil takes advantage of modern handling techniques to safeguard the naturally-occurring vitamins A and D, omega-3 fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10.

Consider the insufficient intakes of A and D in the United States, a cod liver oil with the natural profile of A and D (no A and D added) is a great addition to a healthy diet.

The Cod Liver Oil supplement is made from the oil of cod fish species (liver only), including cod, pollock, and saithe, which contains 1140 IU of vitamin A, 120 IU of vitamin D, 210 mg of EPA per serving, and 300 mg DHA per serving. It also contains a pleasant natural lemon flavor. To help protect the oil from oxidation, rosemary extract, ascorbyl palmitate, and natural tocopherols (from non-GMO soy) have also been added. Every batch of cod liver oil is tested for heavy metals, organochloride/organophosphate pesticides, PCBs, dioxin-like PCBs, dioxins/furans, and pyrethroids. It comes in soft gels, so there are no taste issues. It is very stable and has a shelf live of 1.5 years.

Cod Liver Oil provides naturally occurring vitamin A, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10.

Product Benefits of Cod Liver Oil

1. Natural Profile of Vitamins A and D

Standard Process Cod Liver Oil contains vitamin D3 (not shown), as well as a variety of vitamin A esters.

Based on NHANES [1] data, at least 50% of people in the United States could be consuming less than the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A. NHANES data also suggest that almost all of us (90%) are deficient in vitamin D. Products like Cod Liver Oil, with or without additional supplementation, could help meet each patient's individual need.

2. Contains Naturally-Occurring Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

CoQ10 is a fat-soluble substance used in the body's energy-generating processes. The minimal processing selected for Cod Liver Oil has the pleasant side effect of retaining coenzyme Q10 from cod livers. Each serving of Cod Liver Oil contributes a small amount of CoQ10 to a patient's daily intake.

3. Research Validated Quality

In a test of 6 other fish oils, Standard Process Cod Liver Oil tied for the lowest aldehyde content. Aldehydes in fish oils are the cause of rancidity. Fish oils with lower aldehyde contents translate into stability over the entire shelf-life of the product.

Scientifically Supported Mechanisms of Action

Cod Livers

Livers are harvested from cod, pollock, and saithe, because each of these species in the cod family has a different fishing season, availability is ensured.

Centuries ago, northern Europeans used cod liver oil to protect them from the cold. It was made from the livers of Gadus morhua and other species of cod. [2]

Cod liver oil is ubiquitous in both the retail and professional markets, but there are subtle differences. Because Standard Process works with small suppliers they have more control of processing that allows them to provide a pure oil with the lowest oxidation possible that maintains the natural A and D found in the raw material.

Cod Liver Oil

Cod liver oil was traditionally used to prevent rickets in the United States before the fortification of milk. [3]

In 67 healthy human Greek volunteers, 50 ml of cod liver oil decreased inter-cellular adhesion molecule 1, correlating with a decrease in TNF-alpha after 3 hours from consumption suggesting that cod liver oil supports a normal inflammatory response. [4]

In 37 healthy Greek volunteers, 50 ml of cod liver oil led to a small improvement of endothelial function but did not affect the body’s normal inflammatory response process or markers of systemic oxidative stress. [5]

One study evaluated the association between vitamin D from the diet (alone and including supplements) and sunlight in 3113 middle aged women living at latitude 57 degrees North (Aberdeen, UK) and found that cod liver oil and multivitamin intake was associated with 25(OH)D throughout the year, whereas D from food was “associated with 25(OH)D in winter and spring only.” D from the sun was “associated with levels of 25(OH)D in the summer and autumn.” The authors conclude that dietary intervention- including dietary supplements - can support a healthy level of vitamin D among middle age women living at high latitude. [6]

In a Norwegian study, prevalence of one type of mood challenge was decreased in those who reported daily consumption of cod liver oil. Among daily cod liver oil consumers, prevalence was 2.5% versus 3. 8% for the population. [7]

What is Vitamin A?

Vitamin A is a group of molecules, including retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, retinyl ester, and provitamin A carotenoids. [8, pg. 83]  "Preformed vitamin A is found only in animal-derived food products, whereas dietary carotenoids are present in oils, fruits, and vegetables." [8, pg. 84]. Vitamin A is fat soluble and essential for humans.

The definition of retinoids refers to retinol, its metabolites, and synthetic analogues that have a similar structure. IOM, pg. 83

The natural profile of vitamin A in cod liver oil shows that it contains a number of vitamin A esters. Some oil manufacturers remove these esters during processing and add retinyl palmitate.

Vitamin A is important for normal vision, gene expression, reproduction, embryonic development, growth, and immune function. [9]

It is required by the eyes for proper brain signaling related to vision. It is needed for healthy tear production in the eye and normal retinal rod and cone cell functioning.

By interacting with receptors in a host of cells, retinoic acid regulates the production of molecules that are necessary for proper epithelial cell integrity throughout the body (skin keratins, enzymes, extracellular proteins, etc.).

Retinoic Acid affects cytokine production, thus modulating T and B cell production. It is needed to maintain natural killer cell levels and phagocyte activity in mouse macrophages (whether retinoic acid has this specific action in humans is not known).

B lymphocytes require retinol for their growth and differentiation, as well as activity.

And Vitamin A may support liver function. [10]

What is Vitamin D?

There are two forms of Vitamin D, vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Vitamin D2, ergocalciferol, from plant and fungal sources, and it added to foods. Vitamin D3, cholecalciferol, is synthesized in the skin of humans on exposure to sunlight, and is consumed in the tissues of animal-based foods.

Both of these forms can be found in supplements and appear to have the same potency. Although, a recent review of the research "indicates that vitamin D3 is more efficacious at raising serum 25(OH)D concentrations than is vitamin D2..." [12].

Both forms of vitamin D are inactive until metabolized in the liver, and then the kidneys. The majority of vitamin D action is attributed to its metabolite, calcitriol. Calcitriol regulates serum calcium and phosphate homeostasis (bone health). It may have a larger, more general role since vitamin D receptor is found throughout body’s tissues. Also, it may have action in gene expression, especially in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and death. It may have an immune health affect and support cardiovascular health. It may also support the lungs, mood challenges, and skin health. [13]

EPA/DHA

EPA/DHA are most studied for their health effects that are thought to manifest through:

• Modulation (through competitive inhibition) of the body's normal response to the natural inflammation process through reduction of certain cytokines produced via the arachidonic acid signaling pathway [14]
• Triglyceride processing. [15]
• Support of blood flow. [16]

According to the FDA, supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. [17]

EPA and DHA are currently under investigation for their support of the body's normal inflammatory response [18][19], cognition [19], gut health [20], lung function [21], as well as for their effect on pathways that contribute to healthy mood [22].

References

1. Extrapolation: J Nutr. 2011.141(10):1847-1854.

2. Griffing, GT. Medscape J Med. 2008. 10(1):8.

3. J Am Coll Nutr 2010. 29(6):559-62.

4. Papageorgiou et al. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2011. 65(4):514-9.

5. Tousoulis et al. Br J Nutr. 2010. 103(1):43-9.

6. Macdonald et al. Bone. 42(5):996-1003.

7. Raeder et al. 2007. 101(1-3): 245-9.

8. Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board, 2001 Dietary Reference Intakes (http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=10026&page=84).

9. Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board, 2001 Dietary Reference for Vitamin A.

10. Natural Standards Database.

11. Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board, 2011 Dietary Reference for Vitamin D.

12. Am J Clin Nutr.2012. 95(6):1357-64.

13. Nat Stand Database.

14. Proc Natl Sci Counc Repub China B. Apr 1991;15(2):105-110), J Am Coll Nutr. Dec 1999;18(6):602-613.

15. Eur J Clin Nutr. Sep 1996;50(9):617-624), (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. Dec 1997;17(12):3449-3460.

16. Thromb Haemost. 1987;57(3):269-272) (Lancet. 1981;2(8257):1190-1193.

17. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/2004/ucm108351.htm. Accessed September 25, 2012.

18. Calder PC. Anti-inflammatory actions of marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids. 2009; http://www.omega3learning.purdue.edu/contact-us/. Accessed June 25, 2010.

19.Roberts RO, Cerhan JR, Geda YE, et al. Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Reduced Odds of MCI: The Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. J Alzheimers Dis. Jul 15.

20. Laparra JM, Sanz Y. Interactions of gut microbiota with functional food components and nutraceuticals. Pharmacol Res. Mar;61(3):219-225.

21. Hirayama F, Lee AH, Binns CW, Hiramatsu N, Mori M, Nishimura K. Dietary intake of isoflavones and polyunsaturated fatty acids associated with lung function, breathlessness and the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Possible protective effect of traditional Japanese diet. Mol Nutr Food Res. Jul;54(7):909-917.

22. Rondanelli M, Giacosa A, Opizzi A, et al. Effect of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on depressive symptoms and on health-related quality of life in the treatment of elderly women with depression: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. J Am Coll Nutr. Feb;29(1):55-64.

23. Griffing, GT. Medscape J Med. 2008. 10(1):8.

24.Laerum et al. ClinExp Allergy. 2007.37(11):1616-23.

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