The large amount of Vitamin A present in Cod Liver Oil aids vision, is vital for healthy growth and resistance, and is beneficial for the skin and mucous membranes. Vitamin D regulates blood levels of calcium and phosphorous – minerals which are vital for healthy bones and teeth.

The Omega-3 fatty acids found in Cod Liver Oil are a form of polyunsaturated fats, which, unlike saturated fats, are good for you and are increasingly recognised as important to human health. Researchers have found that without a good supply of Omega 3’s, the body will use saturated fat to construct cell membranes and as a result these cell membranes are not very elastic thus making it harder for the heart to return to a resting state. The polyunsaturated fats in Cod Liver Oil are thus not only good for the heart and circulation but are also thought to improve memory and cognitive function as a result. Above all, Cod Liver Oil is valued for its ability to help soothe the pain associated with Osteoarthritis by thickening the fluid in the joints.

DHA and EPA help to thin the blood which can help to reduce the risk of blood clots which can cause strokes. They also help to lower blood cholesterol.

Unfortunately, in our diets, our Omega-3 intake is very low due to the amount of processed food we consume instead of fresh food. As Omega-3 is not produced by the body, we need to gain it either through our diet, or with the use of supplements.

For how long has Omega-3 been around?

First used by fishermen in the 1970′s, they would rub it into their skin to help keep them warm in the Icelandic seas and to prevent skin from cracking. Eskimos were studied by scientists who then discovered that they were less prone to heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis compared with European fishermen. The researchers eventually discovered that the foods they were eating were rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, and this was helping to keep them healthy.

How can Omega-3 help us?

Hundreds of thousands of us die every year in the UK from Coronary Heart Disease, yet it is preventable. It is caused by the blood flow to the heart being restricted. Omega-3 can reduce the stickiness of blood and help it to flow more freely.

Omega-3 can help the development of the brain and sight, and is often taken by pregnant women. It has been shown that their babies have been more mentally developed than others.

Omega-3 has been shown to help Arthritis, some skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and Crohn’s disease and help to keep the skin supple. Its anti-inflammatory properties are thought to help to relieve the swelling and pain in arthritis.

Omega-3 is also thought to help in some cases with conditions such as Dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and other diseases affected by the brains activity. Parkinson’s may be helped by Omega-3 slowing down the trembling assisting in doing everyday tasks.

How safe is Omega-3?

As Omega-3 is completely natural and found in oily fish such as mackerel and tuna, it is as safe to take as it is to eat those fish. There have been very few reported side effects. However, do remember that many fish now contain toxins from the sea in which they live. To avoid these toxins, you should buy from reputable sources only or seek vegetarian alternatives.

Can anyone take Omega-3?

Omega-3 is said to be safe for most of us to takeincluding children at the right dosage, and is actually recommended to women who are pregnant and breastfeeding.

If you are unsure, about taking Omega-3, consult your doctor. If you are on blood thinning drugs or have a medical condition, you should consult your doctor before use.

Can I take Omega-3 with other supplements or medications?

Omega-3 should be taken with care when taking other supplements and medications. You should consult your doctor if you are not sure or take any other medication, especially for blood thinning. Most doctors are in favour of Omega-3 and will usually advise it as sensible and safe to use.

How much do I take?

There is no recommended ‘normal’ dosage for Omega-3 as it depends on why you are taking it and what sort of diet you maintain. Most adults take about 500mg to 1500mg per day, children between 5 and 10 about 300mg per day, and over 10 about 500mg per day. However, you should always read the labels and packaging with all supplements and medicines and take dosages accordingly. If in doubt, consult your doctor.

Glucosamine is also present in blood where it is used to produce hyaluronic acid which is needed to heal skin injuries. Glucosamine is good for rebuilding worn muscles, tendons and cartilage and also promoting healthy joint function.

OK, that’s the boring bit over. So why do we need to take more? Well, like everything in the human body, production of glucosamine slows with age. So, the clever scientist people found a way to produce it artificially, so that we can put some back into our systems.

Glucosamine is used regularly by tens of thousands of joint pain sufferers as a natural way to effectively treat and prevent the symptoms associated with common joint problems, offering a significantly better quality of life.

Glucosamine has been found to be effective in the treatment and prevention of joint pains and problems including arthritis, inflammation, swelling and stiffness, sports injuries, cartilage degeneration and many more. Glucosamine has also been used to treat problems in horses, cats and dogs.

How is man made Glucosamine made?

Although Glucosamine is found naturally in the body, it can be man made and obtained from natural sources as a supplement. It is found naturally in sea creatures such as exoskeletons or crab shells, lobsters, and other shell fish which live on the sea bed. Vegetarian and vegan forms are also now becoming increasingly available. See the maize extract form below and also see our Vegetarian Supplement page for more vegetarian and vegan supplements.

Glucosamine has been studied for over forty years . It was apparently used in the 1960′s by physicians to provide relief for osteoarthritis sufferers and became popular in the United States in the mid 1990′s. It is now their most popular selling dietary supplement and is also a fast growing favourite in the UK as well.

What the scientists say.

There has been a lot of research done on Glucosamine which show it works well with many conditions.

Health professionals say that Glucosamine either by itself or combined with chondroitin sulphate can be effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

They do also state that reduced symptoms often do not occur until several weeks after first taking Glucosamine, and the benefits continue for up to two months after stopping taking Glucosamine. They also found no evidence suggesting that continued use may reduce the effects of Glucosamine.

So, Is Glucosamine safe to take?

All herbal products are governed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Foods standards agency in the UK. However, this does not guarantee that Glucosamine is safe to take for everyone as it is a natural supplement and can affect people in different ways.

In trials, no safety problems and few side affects have been noted. However, if you are unsure, you should consult your doctor before taking it. If you have any medical condition, do consult your doctor before taking any supplement. If any side effects are felt then stop taking the supplement immediately and consult your doctor.

Can Everyone take Glucosamine?

There are a some people for whom taking Glucosamine would be unadvisable:

Pregnant and breastfeeding women.
People with diabetes or sugar level conditions.
Anyone allergic to shellfish, as Glucosamine is made from shellfish and may cause a reaction.
People with blood thinning conditions or who are on blood thinning medicines
Children and babies should not take Glucosamine as insufficient test have been carried out to prove it safe for them to take.

If in doubt, consult your doctor.

Is it safe to take with other supplements and drugs?

Glucosamine should be used with care and you should consult your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, or supplements before taking Glucosamine. You should also advise your doctor of any other supplements you take when they are about to prescribe mew medicines to you as some herbal supplements can react with some drugs. If you become aware of any side effects then do consult your doctor as it could be a reaction between medicines.

Recommended Dosages – how much should I take and how often?

These doses are based on scientific publications. Always read the label before taking any supplements and consult your doctor if you have any queries on dosages.

Most studies suggest 500mg strength Glucosamine taken three times daily or 1500mg once a day. It is not recommended to take more then 1500mg per day.

Are there any side effects associated with the taking of Glucosamine?

Glucosamine has been known to have some minor side effects in certain people such as upset stomach, drowsiness, insomnia, headache, skin reactions, nail toughening and sun sensitivity. There have also been rare reports of other symptoms such as; loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, and heartburn. These are however rare. If in doubt or if you are concerned, stop taking the medication and consult you doctor immediately.