Atlantic Cod Liver Oil 1000mg | EPA, DHA, Vitamin A and Vitamin D | 120 Fish Gelatin Softgels

Each softgel delivers 700mg of Atlantic cod liver oil providing EPA (49mg), DHA (56mg), Vitamin A (1,500mcg RAE, 5,000 IU), and Vitamin D (12.5mcg, 500 IU) in a single fish gelatin softgel. Sourced from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Non-GMO, gluten free, dairy free, soy free. Made in Canada. 120 fish gelatin softgels (60 day supply at 2 softgels per day).

Do not use if you are pregnant. Vitamin A (preformed retinol) at the dose in this product exceeds the safe upper limit for pregnancy and may cause harm to the developing fetus. Consult a health care practitioner before use.

At a Glance

• 700mg Atlantic cod liver oil per softgel (Gadus morhua)
• EPA 49mg (eicosapentaenoic acid, omega-3)
• DHA 56mg (docosahexaenoic acid, omega-3, primary structural omega-3 in brain and retina)
• Vitamin A 5,000 IU (1,500mcg RAE, preformed retinol, naturally occurring in cod liver)
• Vitamin D 500 IU (12.5mcg, naturally occurring in cod liver)
• Fish gelatin softgel (piscine gelatin, not bovine or porcine)
• 120 softgels: 60 day supply at 2 softgels per day
• Health Canada approved (NPN 80136576), made in Canada

Who Should Use This

• Adults 19 years and older seeking a traditional cod liver oil supplement providing omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) alongside naturally occurring vitamins A and D in a single softgel
• Those who want the combined nutritional profile of cod liver oil (omega-3s plus fat-soluble vitamins) rather than a plain fish oil supplement
• Those who avoid mammalian gelatin (bovine or porcine) and prefer a fish gelatin softgel
• Those seeking a non-GMO, gluten free, Canadian made cod liver oil supplement

Do not use if pregnant. Do not exceed the recommended dose. Consult a health care practitioner before use if you are taking blood thinners or anticoagulant medications, or if you have a fish allergy. See full safety information below.

Cod Liver Oil vs. Fish Oil: A Critical Distinction

Cod liver oil and fish oil are both omega-3 supplements derived from fish, but they come from different parts of the fish and have fundamentally different nutritional profiles.

Fish oil is extracted from the body (flesh) of fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies. The body oil is rich in EPA and DHA but contains negligible amounts of fat-soluble vitamins A and D, as these vitamins are stored in the liver, not the flesh.

Cod liver oil is extracted specifically from the liver of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). The liver is the primary storage organ for fat-soluble vitamins in fish, which is why cod liver oil naturally contains significant amounts of preformed vitamin A (retinol) and vitamin D (cholecalciferol) in addition to EPA and DHA. This combination of omega-3 fatty acids with naturally occurring vitamins A and D is the defining characteristic of cod liver oil and the reason it has been used as a nutritional supplement in Northern European and North Atlantic communities for centuries, particularly during winter months when dietary vitamin D from sunlight is limited.

The trade-off is that the high vitamin A content of cod liver oil requires careful attention to dose, particularly in pregnancy, where preformed retinol is teratogenic at doses above the safe upper limit.

EPA and DHA: The Omega-3 Fatty Acids

EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, 20:5 n-3) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, 22:6 n-3) are long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids. Both are derived from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3 n-3), the essential omega-3 fatty acid found in plant foods, through a series of elongation and desaturation steps. However, the conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA in the human body is inefficient (typically less than 5 to 10% for EPA and less than 1% for DHA), making direct dietary sources of EPA and DHA from marine foods or supplements the most reliable way to maintain adequate tissue levels.

EPA (49mg per softgel, 98mg per day at 2 softgels): EPA is the precursor to the 3-series prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes, a class of eicosanoids with anti-inflammatory properties. EPA competes with arachidonic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) for the same enzymes (cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase), reducing the production of pro-inflammatory 2-series eicosanoids derived from arachidonic acid. EPA is also incorporated into cell membrane phospholipids, influencing membrane fluidity and cell signaling.

DHA (56mg per softgel, 112mg per day at 2 softgels): DHA is the primary structural omega-3 fatty acid in the central nervous system. Approximately 97% of the omega-3 fatty acids in the brain are DHA, and approximately 93% of the omega-3 fatty acids in the retina are DHA. DHA is a major component of the phospholipid bilayer of neuronal cell membranes, where its six double bonds create a highly flexible molecular structure that influences membrane fluidity, receptor function, and signal transduction. DHA is particularly important during fetal brain and retinal development and in early infancy.

Note on omega-3 dose: At 2 softgels per day, this formula provides 98mg EPA and 112mg DHA, totaling 210mg of EPA and DHA combined. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends 250mg EPA and DHA per day for general health maintenance in adults. This formula provides a meaningful omega-3 contribution alongside its vitamin A and D content; those seeking higher omega-3 doses specifically may consider a concentrated fish oil supplement in addition.

Vitamin A: Naturally Occurring Preformed Retinol

The vitamin A in cod liver oil is preformed retinol, the directly bioavailable form of vitamin A stored in the liver of the cod. Unlike beta-carotene (provitamin A found in plant foods), preformed retinol does not require conversion and is absorbed and utilized directly. Retinol is essential for vision (particularly night vision, as it is the precursor to 11-cis-retinal, the chromophore of rhodopsin in rod photoreceptors), immune function, cell differentiation, and reproduction.

At 5,000 IU (1,500mcg RAE) per softgel and 2 softgels per day, the daily vitamin A intake from this formula is 10,000 IU (3,000mcg RAE), which is at the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for adults established by Health Canada and the Institute of Medicine. The UL for preformed vitamin A in pregnancy is significantly lower (approximately 3,000 IU or 900mcg RAE per day), which is the basis for the pregnancy contraindication. Do not exceed the recommended dose, as chronic intake above the UL can cause hypervitaminosis A.

Vitamin D: Naturally Occurring Cholecalciferol

The vitamin D in cod liver oil is cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), the same form produced in human skin upon UV-B exposure. At 500 IU (12.5mcg) per softgel and 2 softgels per day, the daily vitamin D intake from this formula is 1,000 IU (25mcg), a commonly recommended supplemental dose for adults in Canada, where sunlight-derived vitamin D production is limited for much of the year. The tolerable upper intake level for vitamin D for adults is 4,000 IU (100mcg) per day; 1,000 IU is well within safe limits.

Fish Gelatin Softgel and Non-Medicinal Ingredients

The softgel shell is made from piscine (fish-derived) gelatin rather than the bovine or porcine gelatin used in most softgel supplements. Piscine gelatin is derived from fish skin or scales and is suitable for those who avoid mammalian gelatin for religious, cultural, or personal reasons. It is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians.

d-alpha Tocopherol (natural vitamin E) is included as an antioxidant preservative. EPA and DHA are highly unsaturated fatty acids with multiple double bonds that are susceptible to oxidative rancidity. Vitamin E donates hydrogen atoms to lipid peroxyl radicals, interrupting the chain reaction of lipid oxidation and preserving the integrity and freshness of the omega-3 fatty acids in the softgel.

Non-Medicinal Ingredients: Piscine Gelatin (non-GMO), Glycerin, Purified Water, d-alpha Tocopherol

Understanding the Dosage and Supply

Per softgel (medicinal ingredients):
• Cod Liver Oil (Gadus morhua, Liver): 700mg
• Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA): 49mg
• Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA): 56mg
• Vitamin A: 1,500mcg RAE (5,000 IU)
• Vitamin D: 12.5mcg (500 IU)

Daily totals at 2 softgels per day:
• Cod Liver Oil: 1,400mg
• EPA: 98mg
• DHA: 112mg
• Total EPA and DHA: 210mg
• Vitamin A: 3,000mcg RAE (10,000 IU)
• Vitamin D: 25mcg (1,000 IU)

Suggested Use: Adults 19 years and older: 1 softgel, 2 times per day
Total Softgels: 120
Supply Duration: 60 days at 2 softgels per day

Consult your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dosage and duration of use for your individual needs. Do not exceed the recommended dose.

Quality and Purity

• Health Canada approved (NPN 80136576)
• Sourced from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)
• Fish gelatin softgel (piscine gelatin, non-GMO)
• d-alpha Tocopherol (natural vitamin E) as antioxidant preservative
• Non-GMO, gluten free, dairy free, soy free
• Free from wheat, eggs, peanuts, and shellfish
• 120 softgels (60 day supply)
• Made in Canada under GMP-compliant standards

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep bottle tightly sealed after each use. Omega-3 fatty acids are susceptible to oxidation; avoid storing in warm or humid conditions.

Safety Information and Cautions

Do not use if you are pregnant. Preformed vitamin A (retinol) at the dose in this product (5,000 IU per softgel, 10,000 IU per day at the recommended dose) is at the adult tolerable upper intake level and significantly exceeds the safe upper limit for pregnancy. High-dose preformed vitamin A is teratogenic and may cause birth defects. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should not use this product.

Do not exceed the recommended dose. Chronic intake of preformed vitamin A above the tolerable upper intake level can cause hypervitaminosis A.

Consult a health care practitioner before use if you are taking blood thinners or anticoagulant medications, as omega-3 fatty acids have mild antiplatelet activity. Consult a health care practitioner before use if you have a fish allergy.

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Keep out of reach of children.

This product is approved by Health Canada (NPN 80136576).

About Atlantic Cod Liver Oil 1000mg | EPA, DHA, Vitamin A and Vitamin D | 120 Fish Gelatin Softgels

Atlantic cod liver oil (Gadus morhua) delivers 700mg per softgel providing EPA (49mg), DHA (56mg), naturally occurring preformed vitamin A (5,000 IU, 1,500mcg RAE), and naturally occurring vitamin D3 (500 IU, 12.5mcg). Cod liver oil is extracted from the liver of Atlantic cod, where fat-soluble vitamins A and D are stored, distinguishing it from regular fish oil (extracted from fish body/flesh) which contains omega-3s but negligible vitamins A and D. EPA (20:5 n-3) is the precursor to anti-inflammatory 3-series eicosanoids; DHA (22:6 n-3) is the primary structural omega-3 in the brain (approximately 97% of brain omega-3s) and retina (approximately 93% of retinal omega-3s). At 2 softgels per day: 210mg EPA and DHA combined, 10,000 IU vitamin A (at the adult UL), 1,000 IU vitamin D. Fish gelatin softgel (piscine gelatin, non-mammalian). d-alpha Tocopherol as antioxidant preservative. Do not use if pregnant (vitamin A teratogenicity). Do not exceed recommended dose. Health Canada approved (NPN 80136576). Made in Canada. 120 softgels, 60 day supply.