It’s been shown that there is an association between cod liver oil and asthma. A lack of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet is believed by many experts to be one of the causes of asthma. Babies who were bottle fed and children who don’t eat a sufficiently nutritional diet appear to be at higher risk for this ailment.

Studies show that cod liver oil can prevent dry skin, help individuals who have arthritis and aid in increasing vitamin and omega-3 fatty acids which are essential for cardiovascular health. But the question some have raised is: can cod liver oil help asthma?

Because cod liver oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, research suggests that asthma can be reduced as a result of consuming an appropriate amount of essential fatty acids a day. Scientists also state that among the fatty acids most consumers ingest, omega-6 is the highest while omega-3 fatty acid lags behind.

Asthma is considered to be an inflammatory condition and since we know that omega-3 fatty acids can curb inflammatory conditions, then it is reasonable to assume that cod liver oil can be an effective alternative in the treatment of this condition.

Children have been shown in studies to be more likely to develop asthma when they do not receive the proper nutrients such as Vitamins C, E, and B12, as well as zinc, selenium, magnesium and beta-carotene. An effective treatment for sufferers of asthma is considered to be a diet that includes these important nutrients along with cod liver oil.

The results of these studies and research suggest that since omega-3 fatty acids cannot be easily obtained simply through diet alone, it is often necessary to supplement the diet with cod liver oil as a way to maintain the vitamins and fatty acids which are components of this oil.

One asthma sufferer stated that she was suffering from wheezing and decided to take cod liver oil. The wheezing ceased. After a while, she stopped taking the oil and the wheezing returned. One can deduce from this that cod liver oil can reduce the symptoms of asthma.

If you or your child has asthma, the first suggestion would be to consult with your physician to determine if cod liver oil is appropriate for you. There may be certain conditions under which you cannot use this oil, especially if you or your child have a pre-existing illness or have been taking medications which can interact with the oil.

Cod liver oil may be an effective alternative to conventional asthma treatments since it appears to help asthma patients, based on research of the connection between asthma causes and the effects of asthma.