Cod liver oil

Cod liver oil
Type	Fish liver oil
Saturation	Substantial polyunsaturated fat load
Smoke point
Culinary use	Traditional vitamin A/D supplement (small doses), not a cooking oil
Shelf stability	Poor; high PUFA content oxidizes readily
Ray's verdict	Depends on context Older cultures used small amounts for vitamins A and D; modern multi-gram "omega-3" dosing is a different, higher-PUFA product

Cod liver oil is fish liver oil with vitamin A, vitamin D, and a large polyunsaturated fat load. Older cultures used small amounts for vitamins. Modern multi-gram "omega-3" dosing is a different product.

Vitamins vs PUFA

Vitamin A and D from cod liver oil can be useful when diet is thin. The oil also delivers EPA/DHA that raise tissue unsaturation and peroxidation risk under stress. Food liver and safe sun or vitamin D cover many needs without the oil flood.

See Fish oil, PUFA, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Liver.

Practice

If used, keep doses small and short; watch pulse, temperature, and any inflammatory rebound. Prefer food liver for vitamin A when possible.

Skip stacking cod liver oil with fish-oil capsules. See Harm reduction, Fish oil, Butter.

See also

• Fish oil
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin D
• Liver
• PUFA