Thursday Health Thoughts: Benefits of Cod Liver Oil

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As with all of the Thursday Health Thoughts series topics always consult a physician before beginning any changes to your supplements or diet.

While I was out in California I was introduced to some wonderful "alternative" remedies that I was either (a)not aware of or (b)like what I am going to suggest today had not been willing to try. *smiles*. When my doctor first mentioned taking Cod Liver Oil each day I looked at her like she must not realize the delightful disgusting taste. She laughed and admitted that this was something that she had been recommending her patients do for years but had only started taking herself recently. I was skeptical until she started sharing all of the health benefits from adding this quick and simple habit into my diet.

I will warn you that the Cod Liver Oil truly does not taste good. There are some brands that offer "taste enhancers" but in my opinion nothing truly masks the taste of Cod Liver Oil! I have found that having a small glass of cranberry juice to sip on immediately after is the only thing that truly kills the taste. So what makes me torture force myself to take this product each day? The list of benefits is extremely long but here are just a few of the benefits for you to consider!

Before I share the list I had to share that the history teacher in me has to share that Cod Liver Oil has been used for over a hundred years. There are recorded notes of Cod Liver Oil being given in the 1890s to malnourished children and adults ith arthritis! WOW!

1. The anti-inflammatory properties of Cod Liver Oil can help reduce some of the swelling that is known to cause arthritis pain.

2. Cod Liver Oil can help those with high cholesterol and heart disease.

3. Cod Liver Oil has been known to help relieve migraine headaches.

4. Cod Liver Oil has been known to fight inflammation.

5. Cod Liver Oil has been known to help regulate the immune system.

6. Some studies have suggested that Cod Liver Oil inhibits cancer cells!

7. Along the same lines as number 6, Dr. Patrick Quillin who holds PhD, RD, and CNS degrees and wrote the book "Cancer with Nutrition" said: "Fish oil is therapeutic and can slow cancer."

8. Cod Liver Oil has lots of omega-3 fatty acids that are important to the body!

9.  Cod Liver Oil contains excellent amounts of EPA and DHA which are important omega-3 fatty acids.

10. Cod Liver Oil contains high levels of Vitamin A.

11. Cod Liver Oil may improve seasonal allergies.

12. Cod Liver Oil helps support healthy eyes.

13. Cod Liver Oil may help depression.

With all of those benefits one small swallow and a little bad taste don't seem that important!

What about you? Do y'all take Cod Liver Oil? I have been using Carlson's Cod Liver Oil - what brand do y'all take?

Stay tuned next week for a special Thursday Health Thoughts about traveling while living with a chronic illness!