Overview

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 40 Researches
7.2
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 4 Reviews
8.2
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 3 Soft Gels
Amount Per Serving
%DV
Calories
35
 
Total Fat
3 g
4%
Saturated Fat
0.5 g
3%
Trans Fat
0 g
Cholesterol
15 mg
5%
Vitamin A
30 mcg RAE
3%
Total Omega-3s
750 mg
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid)
240 mg
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)
360 mg
Other Omega-3s
150 mg

Top Medical Research Studies

We explored the impact of cod liver oil on cardiovascular health, particularly its influence on heart disease processes. While marine fish consumption offers some benefits, high doses of fish oil can raise certain cholesterol levels and potentially increase risks.

In our study, we observed that when swine were given an atherogenic diet along with cod liver oil, important reductions in harmful monocyte adhesions and platelet clumping occurred. This suggests that fish oil may help improve blood flow and could be less risky than previously thought.

However, while promising, these effects from cod liver oil need more investigation to clarify their relevance in humans.
Read More
9
Cod liver oil improves cardiac function
We investigated whether cod liver oil could help with cardiovascular problems caused by diabetes in rats. Over 12 weeks, diabetic rats treated with cod liver oil showed improvements in weight gain and prevented harmful cholesterol and triglyceride levels. While it only partially controlled blood sugar, it significantly improved heart function. The oil also helped prevent damage in heart tissue and restored some normal responses in the heart to neurohormones. Although effective in these areas, it didn't eliminate all issues caused by diabetes.
Read More
9
EPA's role in diabetic heart health
We explored the impact of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a nutrient known for its heart benefits, on diabetic cardiomyopathy (DC), a condition leading to heart failure. Our study focused on diabetic mice and revealed that EPA plays a protective role against DC, particularly by reducing harmful M1-polarized macrophages in the heart.

In our experiments, we found that EPA not only reduces cardiomyocyte injury caused by M1-polarized macrophages but also encourages a shift in macrophages' behavior from M1 to a protective Mox state—not M2. This shift is crucial because Mox macrophages help mitigate the damage inflicted by their M1 counterparts.

We identified heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) as a key player in maintaining the Mox phenotype. EPA promotes HO-1, which helps curb macrophage M1 polarization and the resulting cardiomyocyte injury. Interestingly, our findings also showed that EPA fosters this protective Mox polarization in monocyte-derived macrophages from diabetic patients, suggesting a broader application for this treatment strategy.

Overall, our study highlights the potential of EPA as a novel approach to combat diabetic cardiomyopathy, emphasizing the importance of macrophage Mox polarization in maintaining heart health in diabetes.
Read More

Most Useful Reviews

9
Normalised cholesterol levels
1 people found this helpful
I purchased cod liver oil for my mother, who suffers from high cholesterol. After three months of daily use, her diet and exercise improved, resulting in her cholesterol levels returning to normal and reducing inflammation and heart disease. The taste is acceptable and contains a great percentage of Omega 3. The ingredients are sourced from non-genetically modified, free-range fish, and the quality is excellent. This product is suitable for the elderly, offering benefits for hair loss and dry skin after two weeks of use.
Read More
7.5
Supports heart and bone health
Cod liver oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and vitamin A, which together help to support cardiovascular health, bone health, and strengthen the immune system. Additionally, it is effective in maintaining vision and skin health.
Read More
7.5
Supports cardiovascular function
1 people found this helpful
Very important! A source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), as well as vitamins A, D, and E. It contributes to maintaining the function of the cardiovascular system and supports immunity, alongside the development of the brain, nervous system, and retina.
Read More

Medical Researches

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 40 Researches
7.2
  • All Researches
9
DHA improves heart recovery post-MI
We explored the impact of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from cod liver oil on heart health, especially following a heart attack (myocardial infarction). Using various models, we found that DHA increased heart cell survival under low oxygen conditions and lessened overall heart damage.

It also improved heart function and decreased scar tissue formation. By enhancing autophagy—a natural cell cleanup process—DHA showed promise in protecting heart tissue by activating important signaling pathways. Ultimately, our study suggests that DHA can help in heart recovery after serious damage.
Read More
9
Cod liver oil improves cardiac function
We investigated whether cod liver oil could help with cardiovascular problems caused by diabetes in rats. Over 12 weeks, diabetic rats treated with cod liver oil showed improvements in weight gain and prevented harmful cholesterol and triglyceride levels. While it only partially controlled blood sugar, it significantly improved heart function. The oil also helped prevent damage in heart tissue and restored some normal responses in the heart to neurohormones. Although effective in these areas, it didn't eliminate all issues caused by diabetes.
Read More
We explored the impact of cod liver oil on cardiovascular health, particularly its influence on heart disease processes. While marine fish consumption offers some benefits, high doses of fish oil can raise certain cholesterol levels and potentially increase risks.

In our study, we observed that when swine were given an atherogenic diet along with cod liver oil, important reductions in harmful monocyte adhesions and platelet clumping occurred. This suggests that fish oil may help improve blood flow and could be less risky than previously thought.

However, while promising, these effects from cod liver oil need more investigation to clarify their relevance in humans.
Read More
9
Icosapent ethyl reduces cardiovascular risks
We explored the effectiveness of icosapent ethyl, a form of eicosapentaenoic acid, in reducing cardiovascular events among statin-treated patients who had high cardiovascular risk and controlled cholesterol levels.

In this analysis of the REDUCE-IT trial, 8,175 patients with elevated triglycerides were observed. These patients were divided based on their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels before treatment. We found that, overall, icosapent ethyl lead to significant reductions in major cardiovascular events, regardless of whether LDL-C was less than or greater than 55 mg/dL.

Specifically, those with LDL-C levels below 55 mg/dL experienced a drop in serious cardiovascular issues from 22.8% to 16.2% when treated with icosapent ethyl. Likewise, patients with LDL-C levels at or above 55 mg/dL showed improvements, with cardiovascular event rates declining from 21.9% to 17.4%. These results indicate that this treatment could be beneficial for patients who maintain good LDL-C levels while having high triglycerides.

Overall, we have strong evidence that icosapent ethyl effectively reduces cardiovascular risks in high-risk patients, which is great news for those looking for additional treatment options alongside statins.
Read More
9
Eicosapentaenoic acid benefits heart health
We explored the effectiveness of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a type of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), in managing heart failure. By analyzing data from multiple randomized controlled trials, we aimed to identify the best doses and treatment durations for EPA supplementation.

The findings from our network meta-analysis included 14 studies with nearly 9,000 participants, primarily older adults with heart failure. We discovered that high doses of omega-3 PUFAs, specifically between 2000 and 4000 mg per day for at least one year, significantly improved heart function. This was measured by an increase in the left ventricular ejection fraction and peak oxygen consumption.

However, lower doses and shorter supplementation periods did not yield similar benefits. It's worth noting that EPA supplementation did not increase the risk of adverse events, as dropout rates and overall mortality were comparable to control groups.

Our study suggests that long-term, high-dose omega-3 supplementation shows promise for enhancing heart function in individuals with heart failure. Nonetheless, we believe that more in-depth clinical trials are necessary to confirm these results and ensure the findings are robust and reliable.
Read More

User Reviews

USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 4 Reviews
8.2
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
9
Normalised cholesterol levels
1 people found this helpful
I purchased cod liver oil for my mother, who suffers from high cholesterol. After three months of daily use, her diet and exercise improved, resulting in her cholesterol levels returning to normal and reducing inflammation and heart disease. The taste is acceptable and contains a great percentage of Omega 3. The ingredients are sourced from non-genetically modified, free-range fish, and the quality is excellent. This product is suitable for the elderly, offering benefits for hair loss and dry skin after two weeks of use.
Read More
7.5
Supports heart and bone health
Cod liver oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and vitamin A, which together help to support cardiovascular health, bone health, and strengthen the immune system. Additionally, it is effective in maintaining vision and skin health.
Read More
7.5
Supports cardiovascular function
1 people found this helpful
Very important! A source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), as well as vitamins A, D, and E. It contributes to maintaining the function of the cardiovascular system and supports immunity, alongside the development of the brain, nervous system, and retina.
Read More
6
Improved mood noted
I consume it to support my cardiovascular system and joints. The taste is neutral, without any unpleasant fishy aftertaste. I have noticed an improvement in my mood and skin condition.
Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

9
Normalised cholesterol levels
1 people found this helpful
I purchased cod liver oil for my mother, who suffers from high cholesterol. After three months of daily use, her diet and exercise improved, resulting in her cholesterol levels returning to normal and reducing inflammation and heart disease. The taste is acceptable and contains a great percentage of Omega 3. The ingredients are sourced from non-genetically modified, free-range fish, and the quality is excellent. This product is suitable for the elderly, offering benefits for hair loss and dry skin after two weeks of use.
6
Improved mood noted
I consume it to support my cardiovascular system and joints. The taste is neutral, without any unpleasant fishy aftertaste. I have noticed an improvement in my mood and skin condition.
7.5
Supports heart and bone health
Cod liver oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and vitamin A, which together help to support cardiovascular health, bone health, and strengthen the immune system. Additionally, it is effective in maintaining vision and skin health.
9
DHA improves heart recovery post-MI
We explored the impact of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from cod liver oil on heart health, especially following a heart attack (myocardial infarction). Using various models, we found that DHA increased heart cell survival under low oxygen conditions and lessened overall heart damage.

It also improved heart function and decreased scar tissue formation. By enhancing autophagy—a natural cell cleanup process—DHA showed promise in protecting heart tissue by activating important signaling pathways. Ultimately, our study suggests that DHA can help in heart recovery after serious damage.
We explored whether cod liver oil could lower the risk of heart attacks in at-risk patients. In a two-arm interventional study involving 870 participants over three years, those who took cod liver oil in addition to their usual treatment showed fewer heart attack incidents, but the results weren’t significant.

With a p-value of 0.09, it suggests that cod liver oil might not greatly impact heart attack risk. Overall, the study concluded that we need larger investigations to really understand cod liver oil's effects on cardiovascular health.
8
Inflammation response to omega-3s
We explored the potential connection between eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which is an omega-3 fatty acid, and its role in reducing inflammation related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older adults. In our study, we measured the plasma levels of various omega-3 fatty acids and their specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs) in a group of 21 older participants who exhibited low-grade chronic inflammation.

The findings were intriguing. We observed that higher levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were linked to lower concentrations of several inflammatory markers, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Additionally, certain SPMs derived from EPA and DHA were also associated with reductions in inflammation levels, suggesting that these omega-3-derived substances might support the body's natural ability to resolve inflammation.

However, while the association between omega-3 fatty acids and inflammation was apparent, our study did not isolate the effects of EPA alone. This means we cannot definitively conclude the unique impact of eicosapentaenoic acid on cardiovascular health.

Overall, this research sheds light on how dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly from sources rich in DHA and EPA, may benefit inflammation regulation—an important aspect of cardiovascular well-being.

References

  1. Shi Y, Li H, Wu T, Wang Q, Zhu Q, et al. Docosahexaenoic Acid-Enhanced Autophagic Flux Improves Cardiac Dysfunction after Myocardial Infarction by Targeting the AMPK/mTOR Signaling Pathway. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2022;2022:1509421. doi:10.1155/2022/1509421
  2. Nilsen DWT, Myhre PL, Kalstad A, Schmidt EB, Arnesen H, et al. Serum Levels of Dihomo-Gamma (γ)-Linolenic Acid (DGLA) Are Inversely Associated with Linoleic Acid and Total Death in Elderly Patients with a Recent Myocardial Infarction. Nutrients. 2021;13. doi:10.3390/nu13103475
  3. Mal M, Kumar A, Meraj A, Devi A, Mañego AMB, et al. Role of Cod Liver Oil in Preventing Myocardial Infarction. Cureus. 2021;13:e16067. doi:10.7759/cureus.16067
  4. Kontostathi M, Isou S, Mostratos D, Vasdekis V, Demertzis N, et al. Influence of Omega-3 Fatty Acid-Rich Fish Oils on Hyperlipidemia: Effect of Eel, Sardine, Trout, and Cod Oils on Hyperlipidemic Mice. J Med Food. 2021;24:749. doi:10.1089/jmf.2020.0114
  5. Walquist MJ, Stormo SK, Østerud B, Elvevoll EO, Eilertsen KE. Cold-pressed minke whale oil reduces circulating LDL/VLDL-cholesterol, lipid oxidation and atherogenesis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice fed a Western-type diet for 13 weeks. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2018;15:35. doi:10.1186/s12986-018-0269-8
  6. Lentjes MAH, Keogh RH, Welch AA, Mulligan AA, Luben RN, et al. Longitudinal associations between marine omega-3 supplement users and coronary heart disease in a UK population-based cohort. BMJ Open. 2017;7:e017471. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017471
  7. Arnarson A, Geirsdottir OG, Ramel A, Jonsson PV, Steingrimsdottir L, et al. [Dietary habits and their association with blood pressure among elderly Icelandic people]. Laeknabladid. 2012;98:515. doi:10.17992/lbl.2012.10.455
  8. Papageorgiou N, Tousoulis D, Psaltopoulou T, Giolis A, Antoniades C, et al. Divergent anti-inflammatory effects of different oil acute consumption on healthy individuals. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2011;65:514. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2011.8
  9. Ceylan-Isik A, Hünkar T, Aşan E, Kaymaz F, Ari N, et al. Cod liver oil supplementation improves cardiovascular and metabolic abnormalities in streptozotocin diabetic rats. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2007;59:1629.
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  12. Kulakova SN, Gapparova KM, Pogozheva AV, Levachev MM. [Evaluation of the effects of fish and vegetable omega-3 PUFA complex on the erythrocyte fatty acid composition in patients with ischemic heart disease and impaired glucose tolerance]. Vopr Pitan. 1999;68:26.
  13. Vognild E, Elvevoll EO, Brox J, Olsen RL, Barstad H, et al. Effects of dietary marine oils and olive oil on fatty acid composition, platelet membrane fluidity, platelet responses, and serum lipids in healthy humans. Lipids. 1998;33:427.
  14. O'Shaughnessy M, Anderson GL, Acland RD, Barker JH. Platelet-derived thromboxane A2 decreases microvascular perfusion after arterial repair. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1997;99:834.
  15. Osterud B, Elvevoll E, Barstad H, Brox J, Halvorsen H, et al. Effect of marine oils supplementation on coagulation and cellular activation in whole blood. Lipids. 1995;30:1111.
  16. Kim DN, Eastman A, Baker JE, Mastrangelo A, Sethi S, et al. Fish oil, atherogenesis, and thrombogenesis. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1995;748:474.
  17. Kim DN, Schmee J, Baker JE, Lunden GM, Sheehan CE, et al. Dietary fish oil reduces microthrombi over atherosclerotic lesions in hyperlipidemic swine even in the absence of plasma cholesterol reduction. Exp Mol Pathol. 1993;59:122.
  18. Meerson FZ, Belkina LM, Fu STs, Isaev VA. [Correction of disorders of cardiac electric stability in post-infarction cardiosclerosis using a diet enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids]. Biull Eksp Biol Med. 1993;115:343.
  19. Barker JH, Gu JM, Anderson GL, O'Shaughnessy M, Pierangeli S, et al. The effects of heparin and dietary fish oil on embolic events and the microcirculation downstream from a small-artery repair. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1993;91:335.
  20. Hamaya R, Cook NR, Sesso HD, Buring JE, Manson JE. A Bayesian Analysis of the VITAL Trial: Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Cardiovascular Events. Am J Clin Nutr. 2025. doi:10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.02.028
  21. Liboriussen C, Nygaard L, Jensen JD, Schmidt EB, Glerup RI, et al. Low Plasma Marine N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids are Associated with Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Events in Patients Treated with Maintenance Hemodialysis. J Ren Nutr. 2025. doi:10.1053/j.jrn.2025.02.001
  22. Yunoki K, Matsumi H, Miyoshi T, Kubo M, Hata Y, et al. Clinical Significance of Serum Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Endothelial Function in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Under Statin Therapy. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis. 2025;12. doi:10.3390/jcdd12020060
  23. Aggarwal R, Bhatt DL, Steg PG, Miller M, Brinton EA, et al. Cardiovascular Outcomes With Icosapent Ethyl by Baseline Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: A Secondary Analysis of the REDUCE-IT Randomized Trial. J Am Heart Assoc. 2025;14:e038656. doi:10.1161/JAHA.124.038656
  24. Tseng PT, Zeng BY, Hsu CW, Liang CS, Stubbs B, et al. The Optimal Dosage and Duration of ω-3 PUFA Supplementation in Heart Failure Management: Evidence from a Network Meta-Analysis. Adv Nutr. 2025;16:100366. doi:10.1016/j.advnut.2025.100366
  25. Patil T, Gregory M, Savona N, Jarmukli N, Leonard CE. Evaluating the Real-World Safety of Icosapent Ethyl Versus Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid in Nationwide US Veterans Cohort: Examining Atrial Fibrillation and Bleeding Endpoints. Clin Drug Investig. 2025;45:69. doi:10.1007/s40261-024-01417-4
  26. Kim JY, Kong SYJ, Jung E, Cho YS. Omega-3 Fatty Acids as Potential Predictors of Sudden Cardiac Death and Cardiovascular Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med. 2024;14. doi:10.3390/jcm14010026
  27. Lamon-Fava S. Associations between omega-3 fatty acid-derived lipid mediators and markers of inflammation in older subjects with low-grade chronic inflammation. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat. 2025;176:106948. doi:10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2025.106948
  28. Fukuda T, Nakajima T, Hasegawa T, Amano H, Arikawa T, et al. Relationship Between Serum ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Concentration and Fatty Acid Fraction of Epicardial Adipose Tissue in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease. Cureus. 2024;16:e73417. doi:10.7759/cureus.73417
  29. O'Keefe EL, O'Keefe JH, Abuissa H, Metzinger M, Murray E, et al. Omega-3 and Risk of atrial fibrillation: Vagally-mediated double-edged sword. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2024. doi:10.1016/j.pcad.2024.11.003
  30. Choi JH, Park SE, Kim S. Antarctic Krill Oil Supplementation Attenuates Hypercholesterolemia, Fatty Liver, and Oxidative Stress in Diet-Induced Obese Mice. Nutrients. 2024;16. doi:10.3390/nu16213614
  31. So J, Yao JH, Magadmi R, Matthan NR, Lamon-Fava S. Sex differences in lipid mediators derived from omega-3 fatty acids in older individuals with low-grade chronic inflammation. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2024;203:102655. doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2024.102655
  32. Li J, Nan W, Huang X, Meng H, Wang S, et al. Eicosapentaenoic acid induces macrophage Mox polarization to prevent diabetic cardiomyopathy. EMBO Rep. 2024;25:5507. doi:10.1038/s44319-024-00271-x
  33. Choi GY, Calder PC. The differential effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on cardiovascular risk factors: an updated systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Front Nutr. 2024;11:1423228. doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1423228
  34. Follonier C, Rabassa G, Branca M, Carballo D, Koskinas K, et al. Eligibility for marine omega-3 fatty acid supplementation after acute coronary syndromes. Atheroscler Plus. 2024;58:1. doi:10.1016/j.athplu.2024.09.002
  35. Koutsaliaris IK, Pantazi D, Tsouka AN, Argyropoulou O, Tellis CC, et al. Differential Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Platelet Inhibition by Antiplatelet Drugs In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25. doi:10.3390/ijms251810136
  36. Ren Y, Chen B, Zhang H, Xu S. A cohort study reveals shared and distinct serum metabolic biomarkers for major adverse cardiovascular events in middle-aged and older adults. Geroscience. 2025. doi:10.1007/s11357-025-01544-6
  37. Arghavani H, Bilodeau JF, Rudkowska I. Association Between Circulating Fatty Acids and Blood Pressure: A Review. Curr Nutr Rep. 2025;14:15. doi:10.1007/s13668-024-00602-3
  38. Li J, Guo J, Yuen M, Yuen H, Peng Q. The comparative effects of ω-7 fatty acid-rich sea buckthorn oil and ω-3 fatty acid-rich DHA algal oil on improving high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia. Food Funct. 2025;16:1241. doi:10.1039/d4fo04961f
  39. Berkowitz L, Echeverría G, Salazar C, Faúndez C, Coe CL, et al. Lipidomic Signature of Healthy Diet Adherence and Its Association with Cardiometabolic Risk in American Adults. Nutrients. 2024;16. doi:10.3390/nu16233995
  40. Shi F, Chowdhury R, Sofianopoulou E, Koulman A, Sun L, et al. Association of circulating fatty acids with cardiovascular disease risk: analysis of individual-level data in three large prospective cohorts and updated meta-analysis. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2025;32:233. doi:10.1093/eurjpc/zwae315
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