Cod fish liver oil
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
The Benefits and Applications of Cod Fish Liver Oil
Historical Use of Cod Liver Oil in Medicine
Cod liver oil has a long history of use in medicine, dating back to ancient times. Historical records indicate that fish oils were used by ancient civilizations for various therapeutic purposes. For instance, Hippocrates mentioned the use of fish oils, and Pliny noted the use of dolphin liver oil for treating chronic skin eruptions both externally and internally1. Although specific references to cod liver oil are absent in ancient Greek and Roman literature, it has been traditionally used by fishermen in northern Europe for many years, particularly in the Shetland Islands and northern Scotland, where it was considered a delicacy and given to invalids1.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Health Benefits
Cod liver oil is a rich source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are known for their numerous health benefits. These fatty acids are essential for cardiovascular health, reducing inflammation, and supporting brain function2 4. Studies have shown that supplementation with cod liver oil can reduce neutrophil and monocyte chemotaxis, which are markers of inflammation, thereby potentially lowering the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases and ischemic heart disease3.
Cardiovascular Health and Myocardial Infarction
The role of cod liver oil in preventing cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction (MI), has been explored in various studies. Omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil have been shown to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events. However, a study involving 870 patients at risk of cardiovascular events found that while cod liver oil supplementation resulted in fewer incidences of MI, the difference was not statistically significant4. This suggests that while cod liver oil may have some benefits, more extensive research is needed to confirm its efficacy in preventing MI.
Biological Activity and Pharmaceutical Applications
Cod liver oil and its free fatty acids possess a wide range of biological activities. These include antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties when formulated as water-free ointments, as well as a laxative effect when administered rectally2. Additionally, free fatty acids from cod liver oil can enhance drug permeation through the skin and oral mucosa, making them valuable as pharmaceutical excipients2. Topical formulations containing fatty acid extracts from cod liver oil have shown good antibacterial activity against various Gram-positive bacteria, highlighting their potential as natural antibacterial agents8.
Blood Glucose Control and Pancreatic Health
Cod liver oil supplementation has also been studied for its effects on blood glucose levels and pancreatic health. In an experiment with male rabbits, supplementation with cod liver oil significantly controlled blood glucose levels without causing any disturbances in pancreatic histology6. This indicates that cod liver oil could be beneficial for managing blood glucose levels and supporting pancreatic health.
Quality and Authentication of Cod Liver Oil
Given its high market value, cod liver oil is susceptible to adulteration with cheaper vegetable oils. Advanced techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, combined with multivariate statistics, have been developed to authenticate cod liver oil and detect adulteration7. These methods can accurately identify the presence of adulterants, ensuring the quality and purity of cod liver oil products.
Conclusion
Cod liver oil is a valuable source of omega-3 fatty acids with a long history of medicinal use. It offers numerous health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties, cardiovascular protection, and blood glucose control. Additionally, its biological activities make it useful in pharmaceutical applications. However, further research is needed to fully understand its potential in preventing cardiovascular events like myocardial infarction. Advanced authentication techniques are essential to ensure the quality and purity of cod liver oil products in the market.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
THE HISTORY OF COD LIVER OIL AS A REMEDY
Cod liver oil has been used in medicine for thousands of years, with its use in treating various diseases and conditions dating back to the early 19th century.
Fatty acids from marine lipids: Biological activity, formulation and stability
Cod-liver oil contains n-3 PUFAs, which have various biological effects and can be used as dietary supplements, pharmaceutical excipients, and enhancers for drug permeation through skin and oral mucosa.
Cod liver oil inhibits neutrophil and monocyte chemotaxis in healthy males.
Cod liver oil supplementation significantly reduces neutrophil and monocyte chemotaxis in healthy males, potentially reducing inflammation and ischemic heart disease.
Non-RCT
Highly CitedRole of Cod Liver Oil in Preventing Myocardial Infarction
Adding cod liver oil to the diet does not significantly reduce the risk of myocardial infarction in at-risk patients.
RCT
Large Human Trial
Rigorous JournalFish Liver Discards as a Source of Long-Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
Fish livers from cod, hake, and ling are the most suitable species for producing omega-3 oil, with storage conditions having no significant effect on quality and oil composition.
Rigorous JournalBlood Glucose Level and Pancreas Histological Section of Male Rabbits after Being Fed Commercial Feed Supplemented with Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver oil supplementation in commercial feed effectively controlled blood glucose levels and maintained normal pancreatic histology in male rabbits.
RCTChemometric tools for the authentication of cod liver oil based on nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy data
Using spectroscopic techniques and artificial neural networks, this study successfully detects adulteration in cod liver oil with sunflower and canola oils, offering a promising tool for authenticating fish oils.
Topical Formulation Comprising Fatty Acid Extract from Cod Liver Oil: Development, Evaluation and Stability Studies
Cod liver oil fatty acid extract shows good antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, making it a safe and natural topical agent for treating skin conditions.
In Vitro StudyEffect of in vitro digested cod liver oil of different quality on oxidative, proteomic and inflammatory responses in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and human monocyte-derived dendritic cells.
Gastro-intestinal digestion of cod liver oil increases oxidation products, which affect oxidation in yeast cells and immunomodulation of dendritic cells.
In Vitro StudyRigorous JournalThe Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Cod Liver Oil on Ratio of Saturated and Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Giant Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) Meat
Adding cod liver oil to commercial feed does not reduce saturated fatty acids in giant prawn meat, but the best ratio of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids is 1.21:1, with the greatest growth rate in this study.
RCT