Benefits Of Cod Liver Oil For Skin

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Cod liver oil is an essential oil which is derived from the liver of a cod fish. The cod fish is commonly known as the Atlantic cod. Cod liver oil is usually taken as a nu-tritional supplement. It is rich in omega 3 fatty acids, namely eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. It is also a rich source of Vitamin A and Vitamin D.

Historically, cod liver oil has been in use for a long time. Its first documented use was in 1789 when a doctor in Manchester, England used it to treat rheumatic dis-ease. In 1824, cod liver oil was used as a remedy against rickets because of its rich-ness in Vitamin D. Its popularity increased in the early 1930s and since then, it has been used across the world to prevent rickets and other conditions which arise as a result of Vitamin D deficiency.

1 tablespoon of cod liver oil equals 13.6 g and contains 123 calories. It contains 4080 μg of retinol vitamin A and 34 μg of vitamin D. When consuming cod liver oil, you should take care not to consume excess amounts as this can lead to Vitamin A toxicity. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of Vitamin A for adult men is 900 μg and 700 μg for adult women. You should therefore take only the amount of cod liver oil indicated by the manufacturer to avoid Vitamin A toxicity.

Cod liver oil has a number of health and therapeutic benefits. These include benefits for the skin as described below:

Preventing and treating acne
Cod liver oil is beneficial for preventing or getting rid of acne. Acne is majorly caused through the production of excess sebum by the sebaceous glands. Cod liver oil helps to prevent or manage acne by preventing the sebaceous glands from being overactive and thereby secreting excess sebum. Low amounts of Vitamin A and omega 3 fatty acids in the body can lead to over active sebaceous glands. The Vita-min A and omega 3 fatty acids which are present in cod liver oil therefore help to counter this problem.

Omega 3 fatty acids found in cod liver oil also help to reduce inflammation of the skin that it caused by acne. They in addition help in boosting immunity and thereby preventing the invasion of the skin by bacteria which cause acne. Consistent use of cod liver oil can therefore help in managing or preventing acne.

Cod liver oil is helpful for dry skin
Cod liver oil helps to restore health to dry skin. It helps to moisturize dry skin and to make it soft. Its remedy for dry and flaky skin is attributed to its ability to lower the levels of leukotriene B4 in the body. This substance has been linked to the occur-rence of dry skin.

Cod liver oil helps in curing dermatitis
The anti-inflammatory property of cod liver oil makes it effective in curing dermati-tis. You can apply cod liver oil directly on the inflammed skin or you can ingest cod liver oil capsules. This depends on the instructions your doctor gives you. Cod liver oil helps to lessen the redness and itching which occur as a result of inflammation.

Cod liver oil is a remedy for psoriasis
The eicosapentaenoic acid in cod liver oil is helpful in preventing psoriasis. This fat-ty acid is capable of restricting the growth of agents which induce inflammation and cause psoriasis. Psoriasis is a disease which is characterised by patches on the skin.

Others
Cod liver oil has also been found to be helpful in healing wounds.

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