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Everything Old Is New Again
By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Medicine Bulletin
I’ll never forget standing in my grandmother’s kitchen as a little girl, waiting with dread for the inevitable tablespoon full of cod liver oil. Coming from a long line of Norwegians, it’s not surprising that this fishy remedy was considered THE cure-all.
Scandinavians have always believed that cod liver oil was an important part of the diet – and one reason they enjoyed long life. Actually, there’s nothing fishy about their belief. Cod liver oil is an important source of vitamins A and D, as well as omega-3 fatty acids – which may explain why, on average, Scandinavians are hardier than the rest of us.
A nutritional wonder
This marvelous golden oil contains generous amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, preformed vitamin A, vitamin D, small amounts of vitamins E and K, and essential nutrients that are hard to obtain in sufficient amounts in today’s diet. According to the late David Horrobin, M.D., Ph.D, a distinguished medical and biochemical researcher, "If you want to prevent learning disabilities in your children, feed them cod liver oil." So when my grandmother was hawking this old-fashioned remedy, it seems that she really did know best.
Cod liver oil contains more vitamin A per unit weight than any other 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.
And when it comes to vitamin D, cod liver oil contains large amounts of natural vitamin D3 (not synthetic vitamin D2). Vitamin D3 is the form required for the utilization of calcium by the body. If you read “Are you getting enough D?” [MOLLY, NEED DATE] you might remember that I told you that many of us don’t get enough vitamin D during the winter months. The reason is simple – sunlight is the most common source of vitamin D, but if you live in a region where winter’s are cold and sunless, it’s easy to become deficient. But cod liver oil can provide a year-round source of this critical bone-building nutrient.
In addition, cod liver oil contains seven percent 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). DHA is important for the development and function of the brain and nervous system. Numerous studies have shown that the elongated omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil improve brain function, stress response, allergies, memory and depression.
Nourishing a healthy heart
Along with supporting overall health, cod liver oil greatly improves cardiovascular function. Here’s why: 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.
There’s considerable evidence that cod liver oil may reduce high cholesterol levels as well. In one six-week study, 12 healthy men took 20 ml. (about 1-1/2 tablespoons) of cod liver oil a day. After just six weeks, the researchers noted a reduction in triglyceride levels. What’s more, HDL (“good”) cholesterol increased in all of the subjects. The researchers also found that cod liver oil lowered blood pressure – an effect that seemed to last, even after the participants stopped taking the fish oil.
Several years ago, the Mayo Clinic discovered that cod liver oil relaxes coronary smooth muscles, which improves blood to and from the heart. During their ten week animal study, they also found that cod liver oil keeps platelets from sticking together, thereby helping to reduce the likelihood of clogged arteries.
No pain, everything to gain
If you suffer from chronic joint pain, cod liver oil may be just what the doctor didn’t order. But research shows that the elongated omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil reduce pain and damage to inflamed joints.
In one study, scientists from the University of Oslo in Norway monitored 4,490 patients reporting musculoskeletal pain before and after taking cod liver oil. Among those who took the fish oil on a daily basis, 33 percent reported relief from intense pain.
And here’s some really good news for folks with osteo-arthritis. Researchers from Britain’s Cardiff University say that taking supplemental cod liver oil could delay or even reverse the destruction of joint cartilage and inflammatory pain. They even believe it could delay joint replacement surgery!
The Cardiff team looked at the effect omega-3 fatty acids have on the discarded arthritic knees of people undergoing knee replacement surgery. Some were treated with the fatty acids for 24 hours - others were not. When researchers looked at the knees, they found that the enzyme responsible for destroying cartilage in arthritis was present in the untreated group. But it was 'turned off' in those treated with cod liver oil, as were the enzymes which cause inflammation and pain in joints.
Cod liver oil can even tackle the relentless pain of rheumatoid arthritis. A recent pilot study of 43 patients with RA found that 68 percent of the participants experienced relief after taking just one cod liver oil capsule a day for three months. According to the study authors, the patients reported a 52 percent decrease in morning stiffness, 42 percent less pain and a 40 percent reduction in swollen joints. Makes a lot more sense than taking the risky drug Enbrel, doesn’t it?
One last thing . . .
As good as cod liver oil is, a lot of people still turn their noses up at it. On reason is the concern over the heavy metals and pollutants found in cod. While high levels of mercury are found in certain varieties of fish (cod contains relatively low levels of mercury), mercury is water soluble. It may be present in the flesh of the fish but not in the oil. But, just to be on the safe side, all cod liver oils sold in the U.S. must be tested and approved according to protocols of the Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC), to be free of contaminants.
Another concern is the taste. I can certainly relate to this one. Yuck! Fortunately, a number of companies offer flavored cod liver oil and cod liver oil capsules. But make sure you buy pharmaceutical-grade cod liver oil. Steer clear of products that have been “deodorized” or bleached. They aren’t nearly as potent as the real thing.
This just in . . .
Soy isoflavones may be just the thing to cool down those hot flashes. But if you’re aim is to lower your cholesterol naturally by upping your intake of soy, you may need more than just a pill.
According to researchers at North Carolina’s Wake Forest University, isolated soy isoflavones (ISO) won’t make a dent in your cholesterol levels. But eating whole soy foods can significantly lower the risk of atherosclerosis.
The researchers divided 60 menopausal monkeys into three groups of 20. The first was fed a milk-based diet likely to lead to atherosclerosis, the second received ISO supplements and the third was fed a diet similar to the first group but with added soy foods. At the end of the study, those eating the soy food diet had a significantly lower risk of atherosclerosis than the monkeys who consumed all of their protein from milk. And those eating the soy had 50 percent lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels than those taking the ISO supplements.
So if the doc says your LDL levels are higher than they should be, start including more soy foods in your diet. You’ll be surprised to discover that today’s tasty offerings go a lot further than tofu. You can find soy cheeses, soy burgers, soy nuts, flavored soy milk and even soy-based TV dinners! So stock up! After all, heart disease isn’t something you want to monkey around with.
***
References:
“Cod liver oil benefits confirmed.” BBC News. 14 Feb 2002.
Eriksen W, et al. “Does dietary supplementation of cod liver oil mitigate musculoskeletal pain?” European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1996;50:689-693.
Gruenwald J, et al. “Effect of cod liver oil on symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.” Advanced Therapies. 2002;19:101-107.
Sanders TA, et al. “Effect on blood lipids and haemostasis of a supplement of cod-liver oil, rich in eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, in healthy young men.” Clinical Science. 1981;61:317-324.
Shimokawa H, et al. “Dietary cod-liver oil improves endothelium-dependent responses in hypercholesterolemic and atherosclerotic porcine coronary arteries.” Circulation. 1988;78:1421-1430.
Wagner JD, et al. “Soy Protein With Isoflavones, but not an Isoflavone-Rich Supplement, Improves Arterial Low-Density Lipoprotein Metabolism and Atherogenesis.” Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2003;23:2241. |
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Advanced Natural Medicine Bulletin |
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