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You hate Cod Liver Oil ?
Don't worry & eat that article:
Cod liver oil used to be taken routinely as a source of vitamin A. But many experts now believe that as a nutritional aid, the oil is obsolete.
We can only consume vitamin A directly in the meat of animals -- the liver is the richest source. But bright orange fruits and vegetables and dark, leafy greens contain beta-carotene, which our bodies convert into the vitamin. In fact, the cod themselves from which we get cod liver oil get their vitamin A from feeding on plankton rich in beta-carotene. Their bodies convert it into vitamin A, which is stored in the liver.
Vitamin A is involved in -- among other things -- the synthesis of cell walls that line the throat. A lack of the vitamin can lead to malformed cell walls and ultimately a constant cough.
Cod Liver Oil and Vitamin Deficiencies
Before the days of refrigerated trucks and mass distribution of produce, vitamin A deficiency was an enormous problem -- especially during the wintertime, when fruits and vegetables rich in beta-carotene weren't readily available. But today most people have access to a wide range of produce year-round. What's more, beta-carotene supplements are also widely available.
Because cod liver oil is also a terrific source of vitamin D, it was often used to ward off rickets -- a softening and weakening of the bones that affected children. But with the availability of vitamin supplements as well as fortified milk and milk products, vitamin D deficiency is no longer a serious concern.
Cod liver oil may have outlived its usefulness as a nutritional aid, but many people are turning to other fish oil supplements, primarily to prevent heart disease. The idea first arose after studies found that, despite diets very high in fat, Eskimos had strong cardiovascular health. It turned out they were eating large amounts of fish oil, and thus the connection -- whether right or wrong -- was planted in people's minds between the supplements and a decreased risk of heart disease.
Fish Oil and the Heart
Most researchers today believe that high cholesterol impairs the pliability of blood vessels -- a condition that can lead to heart disease. A 1997 study conducted by the Department of Medicine at the Manchester (UK) Royal Infirmary found that 16 men and women with high cholesterol experienced a significant improvement in arterial function when given a fish oil supplement, as compared to patients on a placebo.
An alternative to fish oil supplements is to eat two or more servings (about three ounces each) of fatty fish -- such as salmon or tuna -- each week. If you do go the supplement route, make sure you let your doctor know. Fish oils can affect the blood's ability to clot, and taking too much could be dangerous for people already on blood-thinning drugs.
Don't worry & eat that article:
Cod liver oil used to be taken routinely as a source of vitamin A. But many experts now believe that as a nutritional aid, the oil is obsolete.
We can only consume vitamin A directly in the meat of animals -- the liver is the richest source. But bright orange fruits and vegetables and dark, leafy greens contain beta-carotene, which our bodies convert into the vitamin. In fact, the cod themselves from which we get cod liver oil get their vitamin A from feeding on plankton rich in beta-carotene. Their bodies convert it into vitamin A, which is stored in the liver.
Vitamin A is involved in -- among other things -- the synthesis of cell walls that line the throat. A lack of the vitamin can lead to malformed cell walls and ultimately a constant cough.
Cod Liver Oil and Vitamin Deficiencies
Before the days of refrigerated trucks and mass distribution of produce, vitamin A deficiency was an enormous problem -- especially during the wintertime, when fruits and vegetables rich in beta-carotene weren't readily available. But today most people have access to a wide range of produce year-round. What's more, beta-carotene supplements are also widely available.
Because cod liver oil is also a terrific source of vitamin D, it was often used to ward off rickets -- a softening and weakening of the bones that affected children. But with the availability of vitamin supplements as well as fortified milk and milk products, vitamin D deficiency is no longer a serious concern.
Cod liver oil may have outlived its usefulness as a nutritional aid, but many people are turning to other fish oil supplements, primarily to prevent heart disease. The idea first arose after studies found that, despite diets very high in fat, Eskimos had strong cardiovascular health. It turned out they were eating large amounts of fish oil, and thus the connection -- whether right or wrong -- was planted in people's minds between the supplements and a decreased risk of heart disease.
Fish Oil and the Heart
Most researchers today believe that high cholesterol impairs the pliability of blood vessels -- a condition that can lead to heart disease. A 1997 study conducted by the Department of Medicine at the Manchester (UK) Royal Infirmary found that 16 men and women with high cholesterol experienced a significant improvement in arterial function when given a fish oil supplement, as compared to patients on a placebo.
An alternative to fish oil supplements is to eat two or more servings (about three ounces each) of fatty fish -- such as salmon or tuna -- each week. If you do go the supplement route, make sure you let your doctor know. Fish oils can affect the blood's ability to clot, and taking too much could be dangerous for people already on blood-thinning drugs.
