There is no doubt that cod liver oil has numerous health benefits. Many people use it as a medicine for diseases like arthritis and cardiovascular problems. Even though its popularity is on the rise, one should not overlook its side effects. If cod liver is not used intelligently, it can cause some serious side effects. Cod liver oil is an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin D. But when taken in high amounts, it can be detrimental to the health. Many doctors even advice on avoiding long-term usage of cod liver oil as this can lead to skin cancer.
Side Effects
People taking this fish extract (available as a nutritional supplement) in moderate amounts may complain about the following side effects
- Bad Breath
- Nausea
- A fishy and bland aftertaste
- Indigestion
- Loose stools
- Diarrhea
All these are gastrointestinal side effects that may be bothersome but not at all serious. Decreasing the dosage can help the person to get rid of these problems.
Over-dosage of cod liver oil can be dangerous to the health. The dosage should be taken as advised by the doctor. People are under the wrong impression that in order to reap benefits of this fish extract, one should take it in excessive amounts. This is not at all required and following such advice will only ruin your health. Being rich in vitamin A, the fish extract when consumed in large amounts can cause vitamin A toxicity. This can indeed pose a great threat to the health and may lead to the following severe complications:
- Liver Damage
- Severe headache
- Hair Loss
- Confusion
- Dry skin and itching
- Bone Loss (Bones are vulnerable to fractures)
- Birth defects
Pregnant women and those of childbearing age should limit intake of cod liver oil to avoid birth defects. Omega-3 fatty acids is the main constituent of cod liver oil. Although these acids are known to alleviate a variety of health problems, these acids can restrict the blood's ability to clot, thereby increasing the chances of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding occurs in the brain). When the clotting ability of the blood decreases, it is most likely to cause internal bleeding. So anyone having a bleeding disorder should not take cod liver oil pills or any other supplements.
Other side effects of this nutritional supplement are as follows:
- Deterioration of eyesight
- Speech problems
- Weakness in the arms or legs
- Vomiting blood
- Black, tarry stools
- Blood in the stools
As the nutritional supplement is also a rich supply of vitamin D, intake of too much can lead to overdose of vitamin D. This can result into:
- Frequent urination
- Muscle problems
- Sore eyes
- Bone pain
It is interesting to note that due to the side effects of cod liver oil, the US Food and Drug Administration has delayed the approval of cod liver oil as a medicine. Hence, those wanting to take cod liver oil must first consult a well-qualified physician to prevent any health complications thereafter.
