What Vitamins Are Found in Cod Liver Oil?

For families with children, cod liver oil is a familiar concept as it is commonly given to children as a source of vitamins. Cod liver oil is rich in vitamins A and D, providing an excellent supplement for these essential nutrients. In cases of calcium deficiency in children, supplementing with vitamin D can aid in calcium absorption. Additionally, cod liver oil benefits the development of children's eyes.

Cod liver oil primarily contains vitamins A and D. Extracted from the livers of sharks, cod, and other fish, it has a yellow hue and a fishy odor. Vitamin AD content in food-grade cod liver oil can vary depending on the manufacturer's standards and quality control measures, but qualified products are generally considered safe for daily consumption.

2. Vitamin D is crucial for ensuring the absorption and storage of calcium and phosphorus in the body. A lack of vitamin D can lead to conditions such as rickets and osteomalacia. However, due to factors like insufficient outdoor activity, air pollution, sun protection measures, and a lack of fortified foods, vitamin D deficiency is quite common in China. Natural food sources of vitamin D are limited, with fatty fish and cod liver oil being the best dietary sources.

3. Vitamin A is essential for maintaining normal visual function, immune system health, and reproductive system health. It can be obtained from animal livers, green, yellow, and orange vegetables, salmon and other fish, mangoes, and dairy products. In theory, vitamin A deficiency is uncommon except in premature infants and children and pregnant women in less developed regions.

Fish oil and cod liver oil differ in their composition and effects on the human body. Cod liver oil is a type of fatty oil extracted from the livers of marine fish. Its main components are vitamins A and D, which can prevent night blindness caused by vitamin A deficiency and aid in calcium absorption and bone calcification. On the other hand, fish oil refers to all oily substances found in fish, including body oil, liver oil, and brain oil. The primary functional components of fish oil are omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (DHA and EPA), which help regulate blood lipids and promote brain development.