The benefits of cod liver oil were first recognised in Manchester by Dr Darbay in 1789. Dr Darbay used the supplement to treat rheumatism. Only a short time later, in the mid-1820, cod liver oil was widely used to treat rickets. By the 1930s, the cod liver was primarily being distributed to children to prevent rickets, a vitamin D deficiency.
Cod Liver Oil Health Benefits
Cod liver oil contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A and vitamin D, making it a rich source of antioxidants. Cod liver oil, or CLO as its sometimes affectionately known, is used to treat and prevent a broad range of symptoms and diseases. A few of the most common are:
- Rickets
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Cardiovascular irregularities
Pre-Antibiotic Medicine
Before antibiotics, the wealthy used cod liver oil to prevent illnesses. Modern medicine has made cod liver oil obsolete as a primary means of treating diseases, but it remains one of the most popular nutrition supplements sold in the West.