According to the Municipal Medical Products Administration, although fish oil and cod liver oil differ by one word, they are completely different. And vitamin AD drops, often referred to as "cod liver oil," are not exactly the same as cod liver oil. The following text makes a simple distinction between fish oil, cod liver oil, and vitamin AD from three aspects: ingredients, indications, and suitable populations. Let's learn together ↓
Differences in Composition
1. The main components of fish oil are omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids
Fish oil is the general term for all the oily substances in the body of deep-sea fish, including body oil, liver oil, and naphtha. It is an oily liquid with a weak fishy smell.
The main components are omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids including EPA and DHA.
DHA is an important component of the brain and retina, and is an essential material basis for the formation, development, and operation of brain cells.
EPA is an important "cleaner" of blood vessels, guiding and cleaning blood vessels, improving blood viscosity, regulating blood lipids, and promoting fat metabolism.
2. The main components of cod liver oil are natural vitamins A and D
Fish liver oil is extracted from the liver of sea fish, and its main components are natural vitamins A and D. In addition, ingredients such as gelatin, purified water, and glycerol will also be added.
3. Vitamin AD drops only contain synthetic vitamins A and D
Vitamin AD drops are often artificially synthesized, typically by combining vitamin A and D in a 3:1 ratio. The only ingredient is vitamin AD, so to be precise, vitamin AD cannot be called "cod liver oil", but "artificially synthesized vitamin AD oil".
Differences in indications
1. Fish oil has the effect of promoting brain and visual development
The efficacy of fish oil mainly comes from its rich content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as DHA, which is an important component of the cerebral cortex and retina, and is crucial for brain development and visual development. More importantly, fish oil contains a high amount of EPA, which can lower blood lipids and reduce blood viscosity.
2. Fish liver oil is used for the prevention and treatment of vitamin AD deficiency
The main components of cod liver oil are fat soluble vitamins A and D. Commonly used for the prevention and treatment of night blindness, corneal softening, etc., it also has a protective effect on the upper layer of respiratory mucosa and other epidermal tissues.
3. Vitamin AD drops have the same efficacy as cod liver oil
Used for preventing and treating deficiencies in vitamin A and D. Such as rickets, night blindness, and childhood hand and foot convulsions.
Attention: Vitamin A and D are essential substances for human growth and development, especially for the development of fetuses, infants, and young children. They play an important role in the integrity of epithelial tissue, vision, reproductive organs, constant blood calcium and phosphorus, and the growth and development of bones and teeth.
Differences in Suitable Population
1. Suitable population for fish oil
① People with imbalanced diet and low intake of fish;
② People who frequently use computers and experience eye fatigue;
③ Cardiovascular disease patients;
④ Those who use their brains excessively.
Key points: Fish oil contains a high amount of EPA, which can lower blood lipids and viscosity, making it more suitable for middle-aged and elderly people.
For pregnant women, postpartum women, and infants, if you want to promote the development of the fetus or baby's brain and vision, it is more suitable to take algal oil DHA. Seaweed oil is extracted from marine single celled algae, with high DHA purity and almost no EPA, making it suitable for pregnant women, infants, and children to take.
2. Suitable population for cod liver oil
① Newborn children;
② Those who stay at home and spend less time in the sun;
③ Patients with allergic rhinitis;
④ Pregnant women.
Key point: People who are allergic to fish are prohibited from taking it.
3. Suitable population for vitamin AD drops
Suitable population for cod liver oil; People who are allergic to fish products can take it.
When children lack vitamin A and vitamin D, they should purchase vitamin AD supplements under the guidance of a doctor. The proportion of vitamin AD in real cod liver oil is not suitable as a supplement and should not be taken by children without authorization.
Key points: Long term high-dose consumption of vitamin A and vitamin D can accumulate in the body, causing liver toxicity and harm to the human body. Therefore, when taking cod liver oil and vitamin AD drops, be sure to control the dosage.
