Anxiety and depression are common conditions that together affect over 615 million people worldwide ( 36).

Increasing HDL cholesterol: Omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil can raise HDL (good) cholesterol, which is linked to a lower risk of heart disease ( 35). Unfortunately, few studies have specifically examined the association of cod liver oil and heart disease, as many studies classify cod liver oil as regular fish oil. Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, affecting over 17.9 million people annually ( 32). Breastfed babies from birth to 1 year of age should be given a daily supplement containing 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D to make sure they get enough. Formula-fed babies should not be given a vitamin D supplement until they're having less than 500ml (about a pint) of infant formula a day, as infant formula is fortified with vitamin D 2.

A source of Omega-3

Many studies have found that the omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil can lower inflammation and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression ( 40, 41). In another earlier study in 58 individuals, researchers investigated if taking cod liver oil would reduce pain from rheumatoid arthritis enough to help people reduce their use of anti-inflammatory medications. Interestingly, studies also show that people who are deficient in vitamins A and D are at a greater risk of chronic inflammation ( 14, 15, 16). Summary

In fact, studies show that when accompanied by a diet high in calcium, taking a vitamin D supplement like cod liver oil can reduce bone loss among adults ( 19, 20). As well as omega-3, cod liver oil is also a reliable source of important nutrients including vitamin A & D. These important nutrients play a crucial role in your body. By the end of the study, 39% of those who took cod liver oil comfortably reduced their use of anti-inflammatory medication by over 30% ( 25). Interestingly, studies suggest there may be a link between chronic inflammation and anxiety and depression ( 37, 38, 39).An older large study in 21,835 people found that those who took cod liver oil regularly had fewer symptoms of depression alone or combined with anxiety ( 42). Your body can’t make them from scratch; they can be converted from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is another omega-3 fatty acid, however this conversion can be inefficientvitamin D 1 and therefore it is best to make sure that DHA and EPA are included as part of a balanced diet. This is why both adults and children should aim to consume two portions of fish a week, one of which should be oily. Additionally, you can also top up your diet withregular supplementation with a cod liver oil food supplement. A source of Vitamin D