Terms like "cod liver oil" and "omega-3" are often used interchangeably, leading to confusion about what they actually mean. In essence, omega-3 refers to a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids, whereas cod liver oil is a fish oil product derived from the liver of cod, which is notably rich in omega-3.
Cod liver oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA
While the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is found in various plant sources, only marine sources contain the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Research indicates that it's these marine long-chain omega-3 fatty acids we should aim to consume more of, due to their proven beneficial effects on normal brain, heart, and eye function.
Does the body produce Omega-3 on its own?
Yes and no. The fatty acid DHA is present in many human cell membranes, and in some organs in higher concentrations than others. The body can convert alpha-linolenic acid, a plant omega-3, into EPA and DHA, but this conversion process is highly inefficient. It's the microalgae in the ocean that produce the long-chain EPA and DHA fatty acids. These fatty acids move up the food chain as smaller fish consume microalgae, larger fish eat the smaller fish, and so on. For humans, common sources of marine omega-3 include fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, and cod liver oil extracted from cod liver.
Cod Liver Oil as an Omega-3 Supplement
Therefore, the intake of omega-3 fatty acids through diet and supplements is crucial to ensure the body receives the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids it needs. Good sources of these fatty acids include fatty fish such as herring, mackerel, salmon, and cod liver, and last but not least, supplements like Möller’s Cod Liver Oil. Plant-based omega-3 sources, such as certain oils, grains, and some types of nuts, provide a supply of plant omega-3. Cod liver oil is a particularly rich source of the marine long-chain fatty acids essential for the body.
How much Omega-3 is in cod liver oil?
The reason cod liver oil and omega-3 are often mentioned together is that cod liver oil is one of the best sources of marine omega-3 available. This doesn’t imply that other sources are inferior or that the fatty acids they contain are of a lower quality. It simply means that cod liver oil contains a higher proportion of these essential fatty acids per unit measure compared to sources like plant oils, grains, and nuts.
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