Other Definitions
cod liver oil (dict)
cod liver oil (dict)
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Cod Liver OilCod liver oil is an oil extracted from cod livers. Once commonly given to children daily as a nutritional supplement, it is rarely given today, but is gaining popularity. Cod liver oil is a significant source of supplemental vitamin A and D. Scientists are discovering that it isn't just the vitamins in cod liver oil that are healthy, but the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils also help fight and prevent various ailments. Cod liver oil and fish oil are similar, but not the same. Fish oils are extracted from the tissues of fatty fish like salmon and herring and are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Cod liver oil is also a good source of EPA and DHA, however, unlike fish oil, it contains vitamins A and D. This may pose a problem in that one may need to exceed the recommended daily intake of vitamins A and D in order to obtain therapeutic amounts of EPA and DHA from Cod liver oil. A common way to benefit from both oils is to take cod liver oil during the winter, and fish oil during the summer in order to avoid an overdose of vitamin D. Americans consume an unbalanced amount of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Currently the ratio between these fatty acids is somewhere between 1:20 and 1:50, but the ideal ratio is 1:1. The lack of omega-3 fatty acids is making it popular to daily supplement one's diet with high quality fish or cod liver oils. For example, scientists in the United Kingdom are pushing for cod liver oil supplementation in schools http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1507127,00.html and Kellogg signed a 15-year agreement with Martek Biosciences to provide omega-3 fatty acids for its breakfast cereals and cookie products http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2005-03-01-biotech-breakfast_x.htm. External links
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