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Alfa Vitamins Laboratories Cod Liver Oil Review – 8 Things You Didn’t Know

By Sasha de Beausset Aparicio, MSc

Reviewed by Rebecca Williams, MD, MA, MB, BChir

Last Updated:

Evidence Based | Summary | Nutrition Info | Pros & Cons | Cautions | Cost | How To Use | Final Thoughts

Cod Liver Oil is a nutritional supplement based on a very popular ingredient, cod oil. The formula is sold under the Alfa Vitamins brand, very popular among consumers of dietary supplements.
Cod liver oil is known as a very rich source of essential nutrients such as the vitamins A and D, and Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. The benefits of cod liver oil are numerous and have been proved through scientific research. Some of the most common uses of cod liver products are in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory conditions, a broad spectrum of illnesses that affect numerous organs including the brain, joints, respiratory and circulatory systems, and kidneys.

Unfortunately Cod Liver Oil is currently out of stock and we were not able to find it on the manufacturer’s official page either. At this time there is no information that this is a discontinued supplement.

Summary

1) What is Cod Liver Oil?

Cod liver oil is considered one of the most potent sources of Omega 3’s and vitamin D. Fatty acids have been extensively researched in the past decades. Both EPA and DHA play crucial roles in maintaining the health of the circulatory system and heart, while DHA is known to be a key element for the proper development of the fetuses’ CNS and brain. It is also required for optimal growth and development of the children’s brains in the first years of life.

Adults can also benefit greatly from supplying their bodies with proper amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids. EPA and DHA are naturally present in numerous fish species (anchovy, carp, cod, flatfish, herring, mackerel, salmon, shark, etc). They are animal based nutrients as opposed to ALA (the third Omega 3) which is of vegetable origin. The main benefits associated with maintaining adequate levels of Omega3 fatty acids refer to the prevention of blood cloths (and implicitly of various heart related problems), bone conditions (arthritis, osteoporosis), memory problems, allergies, asthma and kidney condition, and depression and other mood problems.

Nutrition Info

2) Ingredients of Cod Liver Oil

Cod Liver Oil contains the following ingredients: Cod Liver Oil contains the following ingredients: Vitamin A (from cod liver oil), vitamin D (from cod liver oil), Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA), Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), glycerin, gelatin, soy bean oil, and purified water.

3) Does Cod Liver Oil Work and it is Safe?

Fish oils are generally advertised as potent sources of fatty acids and nutrients that reinforce the body’s natural defense mechanism against free radicals and offer the necessary nutrients for a proper functioning of the brain, immune, bone, and circulatory systems.

Cod liver oil makes no exception, as it is a rich source of vitamins A and D, and omega-3’s EPA and DHA. These nutrients have been shown effective in reducing the symptoms of various inflammatory conditions that affect the cardiovascular, nervous, immune, and reproductive systems alike. Omega 3’s and vitamin D are crucial for preventing various health problems, including depression, blood clotting, arthritis, tissue swelling, and cognitive impairment. Vitamin D is also needed in the synthesis of Calcium, a key mineral for maintaining healthy bones and cardiovascular system.

Clinical trials and scientific studies have linked cod liver oil to numerous benefits such as: lower cholesterol levels and triglycerides, lower high blood pressure, reduced rate of developing diabetes, reduced depression symptoms, reduced rate of developing respiratory conditions including asthma, prevention of allergies, increased healing rates for various types of wounds, prevention of bone conditions fractures caused by conditions like osteoporosis, and many others.

However, Alfa Vitamin’s formula provides moderately low amounts of nutrients. For example, in the case of EPA and DHA fatty acids, the preferred amount (as resulted from scientific research) is around 650mg of combined fatty acids in a DHA: EPA ratio that ranges from 2:1 to 1:2. Although a daily recommended intake is not available at this time, it is rather obvious that the amounts provided by this formula are far lower than those shown effective in the various clinical trials conducted so far. Only 32 mg of each fatty acid is delivered on a daily basis.

Pros & Cons

4) Cod Liver Oil: Pros and Cons

  • Cod Liver Oil is based on a single active ingredient considered generally safe for human consumption.
  • Cod liver oil is a researched ingredient which was scientifically proven effective in supporting overall health and preventing various health problems.

Cautions

5) What You Need to Know Before Taking Cod Liver Oil

  • The formula is not listed on the official site.
  • The supplement is also unavailable at online retailers (out of stock)
  • There is no information about a returning date of this product.

Cost

6) How Much Does Cod Liver Oil Cost?

Because the formula is no longer available for online purchasing, we don’t know how much the product costs. The official site does offer the possibility of returning the products after completing a specific form and receiving an RMA number. We’re not sure what their return policy is as we can’t seem to find such information on Alfa Vitamin’s official web-page.

How To Use

7) How to Use Cod Liver Oil

Cod liver oil is also abundant in vitamins A and D. Vitamin D deficiency is a common thing in modern men, particularly during cold seasons (autumn, winter), and in Nordic countries where people get less sun exposure. Vitamin D3 is directly synthesized through the skin in the presence of sunlight. A deficiency in this nutrient can lead to various health concerns including immune system weakness, diabetes, autism, asthma, and even cancer. Vitamin A synthesis seems to be directly linked to the presence of vitamin D. It is also an essential chemical for the proper functioning of the immune system, as well for supporting vision, cell growth, and protecting against oxidative stress.

Final Thoughts

8) Final Thoughts on Cod Liver Oil

Cod Liver Oil looks like a good source of nutrients, although the amounts provided by a single serving seem a little too low- EPA and DHA in particular. Recommendations regarding the doses of Omega 3’s refer to amounts of several hundred mg (600-650) of combined EPA+DHA, while this formula only delivers 32 mg of each. Another thing that is important to remember is that cod liver oil interacts with antihypertensive, anticoagulant, and antiplatelet medication (drugs prescribed for high blood pressure or for preventing blood clogging). Patients who suffer from specific condition that require taking any drug from the categories mentioned above are advised not to use cod liver supplements without the prior approval of their doctors.

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