If you're looking to supplement your diet with the best cod liver oil capsules, you've come to the right place.
Like some of the best beef liver supplements, which come with several of its potential health benefits, cod liver oil capsules are designed to provide a quick and easy way of consuming all the key nutrients that come from cod liver without having to actually eat seafood.
Why should you take them? Well, cod liver oil capsules are linked to several potential health benefits of their own, including reducing joint pain and inflammation thanks to the vitamin D content, and improving your cardiovascular function by providing EPA and DHA Omega-3 fatty acids.
Therefore, if cod liver oil capsules sound like the right supplements for you, then we've got you covered right here.
Whether you're after something flavoured, like these Nordic Naturals capsules, or unflavoured alternatives, like these Solgar Cod Liver Oil tablets, then our list should help kick off your search.
You can also find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding cod liver oil capsules to help you decide if they're right for you and your diet. Before that though, let's get into our list...
Best cod liver oil capsules
- Best cod liver oil capsules - Carlson Cod Liver Oil Gems
- Best tasting cod liver oil capsules - Amazing Omega Norwegian Cod Liver Oil
- Best budget cod liver oil capsules - NOW Supplements Cod Liver Oil
- Best cod liver oil capsules for joint pain - Nordic Naturals Arctic Cod Liver Oil
- Best unflavoured cod liver oil capsules - Solgar Cod Liver Oil
Best cod liver oil capsules - Carlson Cod Liver Oil Gems
We're kicking things off with Carlson's Cod Liver Oil Gems which look to be a well-rounded set of capsules that contain all the nutrients you'd want from cod liver to supplement your diet.
Specifically speaking, each capsule contains 1000mg of cod liver oil in total, 250mg of which consists of Omega-3s EPA and DHA that have been linked to reducing inflammation and minimising the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease.
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You're also getting vitamins A and D3 with these capsules, two vitamins that can be quite hard to acquire through your diet at times, and yet are said to play an important role in eye health and the regulation of calcium and phosphate respectively.
Ultimately, we feel these capsules are well worth considering if you're looking for something small and easy to consume to supplement your diet.
Best tasting cod liver oil capsules - Amazing Omega Norwegian Cod Liver Oil
Although taste is subjective, we feel the two fruity Amazing Omega Norwegian Cod Liver Oil capsule flavours on offer mean there's likely a particular taste out there to suit most people's preferences.
The two flavours include fresh lemon and orange and should help combat what can sometimes be an unpleasant aftertaste from regular, unflavoured tablets.
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Each capsule is packed full of cod liver oil as well, 1250mg to be exact, resulting in EPA and DHA plus vitamins A and D all featuring in just a small 12-calorie tablet.
You're also getting 120 softgel capsules per container, giving you enough to supplement your diet for around one-third of an entire year. Therefore we feel these capsules are great value for money.
Best budget cod liver oil capsules - NOW Supplements Cod Liver Oil
If you're looking to add cod liver oil into your routine for less, then these NOW capsules could be for you.
Described as "Extra Strength", each capsule contains 1000mg of cod liver oil and, as a result, contains a similar combination of vitamin A, D3, plus EPA and DHA as the product above.
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Furthermore, these capsules have received an NPA A-rated GMP certification, which should confirm that the supplement contains no harmful levels of contaminants such as PCBs, dioxins, mercury, and other heavy metals.
The product has also been described as non-GMO, suggesting non of the nutrients have been derived through genetically modified ingredients.
As a result, these cod liver oil capsules look to be a safe and relatively inexpensive way to supplement your diet.
Best cod liver oil capsules for joint pain - Nordic Naturals Arctic Cod Liver Oil
As mentioned, cod liver oil is often used to reduce inflammation thanks to the inclusion of EPA and DHA fatty acids. As a result, you may find cod liver oil such as these Nordic Naturals capsules to be particularly effective at combatting joint pain.
The Nordic Naturals capsules, in particular, contain 240mg of EPA and 360mg of DHA in the triglyceride molecular form (the form naturally found in fish) for optimal absorption. Therefore, you should notice these capsules come into effect quickly if you're trying to combat inflammation.
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Once again, these supplements are lemon-flavoured, so should suit those who may not particularly like the taste of fish or regular cod liver oil supplements.
Nordic Naturals also boasts its fish supplements are third-party tested for purity and freshness, and Friend of the Sea certified as the capsules are made in a zero waste facility powered by biofuel.
Best unflavoured cod liver oil capsules - Solgar Cod Liver Oil
While flavoured cod liver oil capsules are preferable for some, you may not actually mind the taste of unflavoured tablets. Therefore, supplements like these Solgar Cod Liver Oil capsules still have their place.
Solgar boasts its capsules are molecularly distilled to remove any potential contaminants, leaving just the potentially beneficial nutrients such as vitamins A and D behind. In fact, these capsules contain 375mcg of vitamin A and 3.4mcg of vitamin D to be exact.
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Moreover, each capsule is said to be free from gluten, wheat, dairy, artificial flavours, sweeteners, preservatives, and even made using non-genetically modified ingredients.
Overall, these capsules look to be a particularly great option to consider if it's an unflavoured supplement you're after.
Frequently asked questions about cod liver oil capsules
Finding the right supplements to add to your diet can often lead to a lot of questions. Don't worry though because we've answered some of the most frequently asked queries surrounding cod liver oil capsules right here.
Are cod liver oil capsules worth taking?
It may not be essential to take cod liver oil capsules; however, adding them to your diet can help ensure you're fueling your body with all the nutrients it needs to maintain a balanced diet.
Cod liver oil primarily contains vitamins A and D as well as important Omega-3 fatty acids which have been linked to maintaining a healthy heart and arteries.
That said, perhaps the greatest argument for taking cod liver oil tablets is that they're an effective and simple way for those who tend not to eat fish to ensure they're getting all the important nutrients fish give us, without having to subjective themselves to something they dislike.
However, cod liver oil capsules are only designed to complement your diet and should not act as a complete replacement for actual food and main meals.
It's still worth trying to obtain the nutrients through whole foods every now and then to reap the calorie and protein benefits that come with eating fish.
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When should you take cod liver oil capsules?
You can take cod liver oil capsules at any time during the day that works best for you.
This is because the NCCIH, a US government agency that explores complementary and alternative medicine, believes the potential benefits of cod liver oil are not immediate, but instead associated with long-term use.
Therefore, it's not so much about when you should take cod liver oil capsules, but more about the regularity with which you consume them.
Studies have shown, including one of note by Farshbaf-Khalili et al., have found taking fish supplements over several weeks, months, or even years can increase levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood, thus suggesting regular intake is best to reap the potential long-term benefits.
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What's the difference between cod liver oil and fish oil?
Generally speaking, cod liver oil is just one specific type of fish oil.
Whereas general fish oil is often extracted from the flesh of various small, cold-water fish such as mackerel or sardines, cod liver oil comes from, as its name suggests, the liver of cod fish.
As a result, cod liver oil tends to contain both vitamins A and D but lower Omega-3 content as cod is typically less fatty than other fish like tuna and mackerel.
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What ingredients should you look for in a cod liver oil capsule?
The two key nutrients to look out for when deciding upon the right cod liver oil capsules for you are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), two Omega-3 fatty acids which have been linked to healthy aging and development.
In fact, some studies suggest both EPA and DHA are key to correct fetal development, including neuronal, retinal, and immune function.
Moreover, EPA and DHA have also been linked to improved cardiovascular functioning, including reducing the risk of inflammation, peripheral artery disease, major coronary events, and anticoagulation.
You may also want to keep an eye out for vitamins A and D, both of which come with several potential benefits.
For instance, vitamin A is commonly associated with improved vision and eye health, while vitamin D is linked to the regulation and absorption of calcium and phosphorus, plus the running of normal immune system function according to the National Insitute of Health.