Benefits of Cod Liver Oil for Skin
A couple years ago, I went through a diet transformation. No, I’m not talking about a weight-loss diet; I’m talking about our family’s eating habits. My husband and I read Michael Pollan’s popular book, “In Defense of Food,” and that started our family on a journey towards more traditional eating habits. It was OUT with the processed foods and industrially raised meats and dairy, and IN with real food — wholesome, nourishing, and grown locally as much as possible.
A couple years ago, I went through a diet transformation. No, I’m not talking about a weight-loss diet; I’m talking about our family’s eating habits.
My husband and I read Michael Pollan’s popular book, “In Defense of Food,” and that started our family on a journey towards more traditional eating habits. It was OUT with the processed foods and industrially raised meats and dairy, and IN with real food — wholesome, nourishing, and grown locally as much as possible. I am unequivocally convinced that diet and exercise are essential to optimal health and wellness, and you will notice this perspective underlying my posts on skin health.
When I began researching traditional diets, I discovered the benefits of cod liver oil — yep, that nasty stuff your grandmother used to make you swallow off a spoon. Fortunately for us, you can now take CLO in pill form. (From here on out, I will refer to cod liver oil as CLO for brevity’s sake.)
I decided to try it, hoping that it would combat my mood swings, which were a source of concern at the time. My mood actually did improve, but the real surprise came with the difference I noticed in my nails and skin.
My nails started growing like weeds, and they stopped splitting for the most part. My skin started to look better too. It wasn’t as dry and flaky, and the texture seemed smoother and not as ruddy.
As it turns out, not only does CLO contain EPA (a natural anti-depressant) and vitamin D (good for strong healthy bones); it also contains vitamin A and DHA, both of which are beneficial for healthy skin. It also contains high amounts of those Omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties which are beneficial in a myriad of ways.
I’ve been told that if you take no other supplements, you should at least take a high quality CLO. I’m not as consistent as I’d like to be about it. I tend to buy a bottle, take it until it runs out, and then set it on my computer desk, intending to order more, and there it sits for weeks or, um, even months. Writing this post might just give me the impetuous to place that order.
Do you take CLO? Have you noticed it affecting the condition of your skin?