Essential Fatty Acids have many beneficial uses in the body including maintaining healthy joints, skin, vision and hormonal balance, and to support cardiac, immune, nervous and reproductive function. EFA’s are components of nerve cells, cellular membranes, and are converted to hormone-like substances known as prostaglandins. EFA’s are needed for proper growth and development in children, particularly for neural development and maturation of the sensory systems. Fetuses and breastfed infants also require an adequate supply of EFA’s through the mother’s dietary intake. EFA’s are highly concentrated in the brain and appear to be particularly important for cognitive and behavioural function. A healthy omega-3/6 balance is thought to be essential for normal brain function, particularly for memory recall and the ability to learn.

Omega-3 EFA’s can be divided into three major fatty acids, a-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). ALA can be obtained in the diet from many common vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, including flaxseed, hempseed and sesame seeds. Once consumed, the body can convert ALA to EPA and DHA. EPA is predominantly obtained in the human diet from cod liver oil or oily fish, such as anchovies, herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines and trout, among others. Increased dietary intake of EPA has been shown to be beneficial for brain and cardiac function. DHA is most often found in fish oil and concentrates in organisms as it moves up the food chain. DHA is the most abundant fatty acid present in many tissues, such as the brain and retina.

Cod Liver Oil provides a natural rich source of omega-3 EFA’s, and is also an excellent source of vitamins A and D. Vitamin A is essential for a healthy immune system and the normal growth and reproduction of cellular tissues. It is also important for healthy bones, teeth, eyes, hair, skin and maintains the mucous membranes of the respiratory, digestive and urinary tract. Vitamin D is essential for the health of bones, teeth, skin, heart, nerves and thyroid function. It plays a central role in the regulation of calcium absorption and metabolism and is involved in the modulation of the immune system and blood cell formation.