What is the Difference between Fish Oil VS Cod Liver Oil?

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Who knew oil could be very useful in our health? Most of us think that oils only contain high levels of cholesterol and fats. However, not all types of oils are actually bad for the health. Some oils are also used as supplements due to their elevated amounts of nutrients that are considered essential for a healthy lifestyle. A perfect example of these oils is none other than the fish oil and the cod liver oil. But what is the difference between fish oil VS cod liver oil?

Fish Oil and Cod Liver Oil

Obviously, fish oil is a common byproduct of fishes. However, not all of us are aware of the types of fish that are used in making this essential oil. Fish oil is actually a blend of fatty fishes such as mackerel, sardines and salmon. Most fish oil companies usually indicate these sources at the fact panel printed at the back of the container of the product. Cod liver oil, on the other hand, is simply an extraction from the codfish.

The Benefits of Fish Oil and Cod Liver Oil

Fish oil is known for its wonderful benefits in our health. This particular oil is composed of many key active ingredients that are responsible for improving health condition. Some of these benefits include Omega 3 fatty acids especially DHA or docosahexaenoic acid and the EPA or the eicosapentaenoic acid. Both of these components are actually beneficial for the body. However, the DHA is recently proven to provide more nutritional advantages than the EPA. Nonetheless, both are considered essential fatty acids since they are necessary for the dietary requirements of humans. These are considered essential since the body requires them for certain vital functions; however, the body is not able to produce these fatty acids naturally, which means it relies only with what the diet can offer. This is one of the many reasons why it is important to increase our intake of these important substances.

Cod liver oil, nonetheless, is also recognized as an essential oil for the body. Cod liver oil is usually collected from the livers of white fish particularly the cod and sometimes halibut. Cod liver oil also contains essential vitamins such as vitamins A and D and has a different concentration of DHA and EPA in comparison to fish oil. In fact, cod liver oil comprises a higher ration of DHA than EPA while fish oil has higher EPA than DHA. Nevertheless, fish oils contain a double dose of the total EPA and DHA compared to the cod liver oil in a same size supplement capsule.

Other Forms of Fish Oil and Cod Liver Oil

These essential oils can actually be taken in different forms and various types of ways. These can be consumed in the form of soft gel capsule or by simply swallowing a spoonful of this oil. This can also be acquired by increasing the amount of fish in the daily diet. Most of us would think that ingesting a spoon of this oil is disgusting; however, more and more fish oil companies these days add flavoring in order to make it more palatable. Some can even include it with foods or other smoothies in order to cover up the taste of fish or cod liver oil.

Tips in Choosing the Best Brand

In order to select a great brand, it is advisable to always check the purity and the potency of the product. This ensures that no PBCs or harmful elements such as mercury are incorporated with the oil during its production process. Potency will allow us to achieve all the nutrients that are written on the label of the product and each bottle contains the same amount and quality of the essential oil.

Importance of Including Fish and Cod Liver Oil in the Diet

Not all of us are capable of maintaining a well rounded diet that is complete with healthy foods and is accompanied by an intake of high potency multivitamin. Because of this, the addition of these supplements can be helpful both from cod liver oil and fish oil. These nutrients do not only help make us feel strong, but it also boosts our immunity and enhances our defenses against many diseases. Without these essential oils, our body will not be able to receive its required amount of DHA and EPA in the body, which can greatly affect our general health.

These are just some of the important facts and information about the fish oil and the cod liver oil. These details will be able to help us compare and differentiate the benefits of these two essential substances for the body. Although fish liver oil contains more amounts of fatty acids compared to cod liver oil, the latter is still considered important for the improvement of our health condition.