A study was conducted to find out whether the intake of dietary cod liver oil or other sources of vitamin D such as supplements taken by either mothers during pregnancy or by children during the first year of their life, was linked to lowering the risk of type 1 diabetes among children.
The nationwide case-control study was done in Norway and consisted of 545 children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and 1,668 control participants. Families were sent a questionnaire in the mail and were required to answer questions pertaining to the number of times they used cod liver oil or other vitamin D supplements.
Results from the study showed that taking cod liver oil during the first year of life greatly lowered the risk of type 1 diabetes. The consumption of other vitamin D supplements during the first year of life and pregnancy were not connected with type 1 diabetes.
The study concluded that the anti-inflammatory effects of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids found in cod liver oil might have the capability of reducing the risk of type 1 diabetes.
American Journal Clinical Nutrition May 2004;79:820-5
This study confirms similar findings from a study back in 2001.
It’s clear that we need exposure to sunshine if we hope to improve our health. This is a vitally important piece of information. Remember that this is the time of year that you will want to make sure you get as much regular sun exposure as you can--WITHOUT burning--to optimize your vitamin D levels.
Not only will it decrease your risk of autoimmune disease and cancer, but it will also lower your infant’s risk of diabetes substantially.
Exposure to the sun is a far more preferable way to receive your vitamin D than taking it from a pill or liquid. If you don't have any other choice, then by all means use a vitamin D supplement or cod liver oil, but it is extremely important to have your vitamin D levels checked to avoid toxicity. Cod liver oil is an excellent source of vitamin D because it provides you with beneficial omega-3 fatty acids with DHA and EPA, which play a pivotal role in preventing heart disease and cancer and has also been shown to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Without question, cod liver oil, is the most economical way to obtain omega-3 fats, it is less expensive than liquid fish oil. However, cod liver oil does have vitamin D which is wonderful. My guess is that most of you reading this still need cod liver oil in the summer, especially if you are not receiving regular doses of sunshine every day. But please remember that vitamin D can certainly be toxic if you consume too much cod liver oil. So now is the time to seriously consider actually measuring your vitamin D levels Without question though, the best way to raise your vitamin D level is to have regular (daily preferable) to the sun on as much uncovered skin as possible. Just walking outside in a long sleeved shirt and pants will not cut it.
When choosing your cod liver oil, it is important to remember that not all brands are the same. In my research--and in my clinical experience with my patients--I have found:
It is likely not the only brand in the world of such high quality, but up to this point it is the only one of such quality that I can recommend, so I now carry the Carlson's fish oil and cod liver oil on Mercola.com; you can also check your local health food store to see if they carry it.
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