Home » Health & Beauty » Vitamins & Supplements » Essential Fatty Acids »

Arctic Cod Liver Oil


loading...

Nordic Naturals Arctic Cod Liver Oil has raised the bar on purity and freshness with their "Gold Standard" Arctic Cod Liver Oil. Nordic Naturals oversees production from sea to finished product - assuring 100% Arctic cod is delivered, within hours of being caught, to their plant for molecular processing in a nitrogen environment. The result - the purest and best tasting fish oil, with the highest level of omega-3 fatty acids per teaspoon of any cod liver oil, with only naturally occurring vitamins A and D. Enjoy the taste of "Pure Health."

Nordic Naturals Arctic Cod Liver Oil

  • Supports heart and brain health
  • Essential for proper function of the immune and nervous systems

Nordic Naturals has always used 100% Arctic cod livers in our cod liver oil (CLO) formulas—no fish body oils or synthetic additives are ever used. Arctic cod (Skrei) has the highest DHA, vitamin A, and vitamin D content of any cod species. On average, Nordic Naturals CLO delivers over 125 mg more DHA per serving than other CLO products. Each teaspoon provides approximately 1035 mg of the essential omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, generously fulfilling the expert recommendation of a minimum of 500 mg per day. Their patented, flavored Arctic Cod Liver Oil liquids are perfect for customers who don’t like to swallow pills, and they’re so tasty it's hard to believe they're from fish.

What are essential fatty acids (EFAs), & Why do we need to take Omega-3 EFAs?
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are polyunsaturated fats that our bodies need but cannot produce. Therefore, they must be consumed through food or supplements. There are two families of EFAs: omega-3 and omega-6, which need to be consumed in a balanced ratio. The body must receive a balanced supply of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs to ensure proper eicosanoids production. Eicosanoids are hormone-like compounds that affect virtually every system in the body-they regulate pain and inflammation, help maintain proper blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and promote fluid nerve transmission. The problem is that, in our modern industrialized food system, omega-3s have become largely absent from the food chain while omega-6s have become overabundant. Even the healthiest diets contain too many omega-6s and not enough omega-3s. Decades of scientific evidence indicates that this EFA imbalance can contribute to chronic inflammation and a variety of chronic health issues. The most beneficial omega-3s that we're missing are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Purified fish oil is the best direct source of EPA and DHA.

What are the early signs of Omega-3 Deficiency?
  • Fatigue
  • Poor memory
  • Immune weakness
  • Dry skin, eczema, or hair loss
  • Heart problems
  • Reproductive problems (men and women)
  • Mood swings or depression
  • Poor circulation

Can we get enough Omega-3s from the food we eat?
Fish is the primary food source of the omega-3s EPA and DHA, but Americans simply don't eat enough fish on a regular basis. Even those who eat fish several times a week aren't getting enough EPA and DHA because much of the fish consumed today is farm raised and lacks significant amounts of EPA and DHA. Also, many people are increasingly avoiding fish due to growing concerns about environmental toxins in fish (such as mercury, dioxins, PCBs, etc.). In addition, there are several factors that can lead to a reduced absorption of EFAs-age, poor diet, alcohol consumption, low levels of certain vitamins and minerals, some prescription drugs, compromised immune status, and a diet high in saturated and/or trans-fatty acids (meat, dairy, fast food, fried food, baked goods, and processed foods). Moreover, people with health challenges or those who are currently deficient often require a minimum of 2-4 grams a day of EPA and DHA, which is difficult to obtain from fish alone.

What is the relevance of balancing the omega-6 Omega-3 Ratio?
Over the past 100 years, changes in the food supply in Western nations have altered the type of dietary fatty acids we consume, leading to a dramatic increase in the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. This increased omega- 6:omega-3 ratio is known to influence inflammatory responses, contributing to higher incidences of many chronic diseases. To address this omega-6:omega-3 imbalance, current recommendations suggest increasing the consumption of pre-formed omega-3s EPA and DHA in fish and/or fish oils, increasing intake of ALA (an omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid found in vegetables, flax, fruits) and decreasing intake of LA (the omega-6 linoleic acid in meat, dairy, eggs, vegetable oils).

If we get too much Omega-6 in our diet, then why does nordic naturals offer products that contain an omega-6 (e.g Complete Omega-3,6,9, Omega Woman)?
Omega-6 fatty acids (LA or Linoleic Acid) are found mainly in corn, soybean, safflower, and sunflower oils and, although essential, these fatty acids are over consumed and out of balance with omega-3 fatty acids in the modern Western food supply. For these reasons, omega-6 supplementation is not needed for non-strict-vegan westerners. However, there is one type of omega-6 (named GLA or Gamma Linolenic Acid) that does require supplementation. GLA is found in few sources such as borage and evening primrose oils. Used in some Nordic Naturals formulas, GLA promotes the production of beneficial prostaglandins, supports healthy skin, brain function, mood, joints and cardiovascular health, and works best when taken along with the EPA and DHA in fish oil.

Do pregnant women need Omega-3s?
It is especially important for pregnant and breastfeeding women to consume DHA (one of the omega-3s in fish oil) because the developing baby is dependent on mom! DHA is an essential fatty acid-we must get it from diet or supplements, because our bodies don't make it-and consuming enough DHA is critical for normal and healthy development of infant brain, eyes, and nervous system. Inadequate consumption of DHA during pregnancy has been linked to shortened gestational periods and premature delivery, and postpartum depression. Experts recommend that women consume 300-600 mg of DHA daily while pregnant and breastfeeding. Nordic Naturals DHA, Prenatal DHA, and Ultimate Omega all satisfy this dosage, each providing 450 mg DHA per serving. As with any supplement, it is best to consult your healthcare professional.

How soon will I see results from supplementing with Omega-3 Fish Oil?
It will vary depending on the concentration of the fish oil, your current nutritional state, dosage, and current health. We often hear that our customers "feel better" and experience "clearer thinking" and "enhanced well being" within 2 weeks. For optimal results, we recommend you take our fish oil daily for at least two months to evaluate their benefits, and also reduce your intake of saturated, hydrogenated, and trans-fats.

What about other beneficial Omega fatty acids like Omega-5s, Omega-7s, Omega-9s? Do we need those too?
All non-concentrated fish oils contain a myriad of other omega fatty acids besides the omega-3s EPA and DHA. The average fish oil contains 23 omega fatty acids. Any quality fish oil manufacturer should be able to provide a chromatogram listing the levels of all the omega fatty acids found in their fish oil. Often, when fish oil is concentrated, some of these other fatty acids will be removed in order to increase the amounts of EPA and/or DHA. You often hear the most about the omega-3s EPA and DHA because those are the fatty acids that have been shown, by decades of scientific research, to yield important health benefits for every cell, organ, and system in the body, and are considered the most functional omega-3s. And they are also drastically deficient in the food supply of Western nations, making it very difficult for us to get adequate amounts from our diet.

What should I look for when purchasing a fish oil supplement to ensure high quality?
Third-party test results for purity and freshness. A third-party certificate of analysis indicates the levels of purity from environmental toxins, and the oxidation level (or freshness) of the oil.