The government recommended the consumption of one spoonful of cod liver oil a day. Often, many children born in those previous generations were raised on that exact recommendation. Just recently, after the conclusion of scientific studies, it may seem as though the cod liver oil wives tale taken to heart by our parents and grandparents might actually hold validity.

Once a standard supplement in previous societies, cod liver oil holds an abundance of the fat-soluble vitamins A and D.

Aside from the abundance of fat-soluble vitamins, cod liver oil is rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) - produced by our bodies from omega-3 fatty acid. This acid plays a vital role in the chain of fatty acids that contribute to our tissue hormones - important to the function of our brain and nervous system. Also viewed as an important supplement to diabetics and individuals with impaired pancreatic function as they may struggle in the production of EPA - leaving no other alternative than to eat oily fish or take a cod liver supplement. As well, the omega-3 fatty acid may reduce the risk of heart disease and aid in the prevention of arthritis.

A main difference between cod liver oil and fish oil is that cod liver oil is very high in vitamin D. During the warm weather your body receives it's vitamin D through the sun, eliminating the need to take a supplement. In the cooler months - depending on your location - we have a tuff time soaking in those "D rays". In turn, a cod liver oil supplement is recommended.

A rule of thumb is to begin consuming cod liver oil in the autumn to early spring and fish oil from late spring to autumn.

Studies have shown that a daily dose of cod liver oil may reduce the feelings of depression. The supplement - viewed as a beneficial part of our diet for generations, has proven to reduce feelings of depression as much as 30%.

Subjects who consumed cod liver oil noticed a significant change in their mental health. Individuals who consumed the oil for up to five months saw a slight decrease in the risk of depression, while those who supplemented for a year decreased the risk by more than one quarter.

A study conducted on more than 20,000 men and women middle aged and in their elder years concluded that even though fewer than 10% actually took the supplement on a regular basis, they were less likely to suffer from depression.

The study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders concluded that the daily use of cod liver oil was negatively associated. Although 3.8% percent of the subjects who did not consume the oil claimed they felt depressed, only 2.5% were among those who regularly consumed it. It was also stated “the prevalence of these symptoms decreased with the duration of cod liver oil use.”

Clinical depression affects about 7% - 18% of the American population at least once in their life before the age of 40. In Britain, 1 in 5 people will be affected by depression at some point during their life. Studies have suggested that individuals suffering from depression may have low levels of omega-3.

Prescriptions for anti-depressants have reached a record high in Britain. In 2006, 31 million prescriptions were written for anti-depressants in England alone.

Depression, defined as an intense state of sadness or despair that has advanced to the point of disrupting a persons social functioning and their daily activities has become a growing epidemic. Proved to also be hereditary, depression is often associated with chemical imbalances within the brain. New research conducted by Haukeland University Hospital in Norway, demanded that more time be spent on research to confirm the studies. Arguments were brought forth stating that the results of the study could have possibly been skewed by the volunteers diets, which may have included oily fish containing omega-3 fatty acid.

Made by steaming cod livers and then pressing them to extract the oil, one would assume that all cod liver oil is consistent. However this is not true, as different brands of cod liver oil may contain slightly different levels of fatty acids. This can usually be detected by screening the side of the supplement box for the amount of omega-3 contained in each capsule.

Researchers claimed that even though all supplements differ in dose, subjects were consuming between 0.7g and 1.2g of omega-3 daily. These levels are thought to be the norm found in most one-a-day cod liver supplements.

• High triglycerides
• Depression
• Eczema
• Asthma
• Cystic fibrosis (EPA)
• Crohn's disease relapse
• Sickle cell anemia
• Heart attacks
• Immune function (omega-3 fatty acids for critically ill and post surgery patients only)
• Kidney disease
• Lupus
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Psoriasis
• Breast-feeding support
• Ulcerative colitis
• Atherosclerosis
• Bipolar disorder
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• High blood pressure
• Schizophrenia
• Phenylketonuria (if deficient in polyunsaturated fatty acids)
• Osteoporosis (in combination with evening primrose oil)
• Pre- and post-surgery health
• Raynaud's disease