Evidence supporting the use of: Fat liver oil
For the health condition: Influenza
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Fat liver oil, more commonly known as cod liver oil, has a long history of traditional use in supporting general health, including during influenza and other respiratory illnesses. Its use dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe, where it was often given to children and adults to prevent rickets and boost resistance to infections, especially in the winter months. The presumed benefits were largely attributed to its high content of vitamins A and D, as well as omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), all of which play roles in immune function.
However, while cod liver oil is recognized for its nutritional value, the direct scientific evidence supporting its use specifically for the prevention or treatment of influenza is weak. Some in vitro and observational studies suggest that adequate vitamin D levels may reduce susceptibility to respiratory infections, and omega-3 fatty acids have immunomodulatory effects. However, clinical trials have not demonstrated that cod liver oil supplementation prevents or treats influenza specifically.
Thus, while cod liver oil is traditionally used to support overall health and immunity, its use for influenza is based more on historical practice and general nutritional theory rather than robust, direct scientific evidence.
Other ingredients used for Influenza
Abies spectabilisAcacia
Adenophora
Agarikon Mushroom
Agastache
Agrimony
AHCC
Algae
Allicin
Alliin
alpinia galangal
Alstonia scholaris
American Liverleaf
Anamarrhena
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
anemarrhena asphodeloides
apple cider vinegar
Asarum sieboldii
astragaloside
astragalus
avens
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
balloon flower
balsam
Basidiomycota
bee propolis
benegut perilla (proprietary)
black garlic
Black Hellebore
black pepper
black seed
boneset
borage
Bryonia
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
camu camu
carvacrol
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
Centipeda
Chaenomeles lagenaria
chaga mushroom
Chondrus
chrysanthemum
cineole
Cistus
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coconut oil
Coptis chinensis
cordyceps
coriolus mushroom
currant
dog rose
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Elder
elderberry
elk antler
Embelia
Ephedra
eucalyptus
Euphorbia
European Elder
fat liver oil
flavanones
flavones
flowering quince
frankincense
Gallesia
ganoderma
ginger
Glehnia littoralis
glehnia root
Glycyrrhizin
goldenseal
gooseberry
Greek mountain tea
green chiretta
green tea
Guaco
honey loquat syrup
honeysuckle
Houttuynia
Hyperoside
Immunoglobulin G
Indian frankincense
iridoids
L-cysteine
labrador tea
Lactobacillus casei
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Ledebouriella
Lentinula edodes mycelia
lichen
licorice root
little ironweed
liverwort
Lomatium
Lycium
Lycopodium
Meadow sage
Microtea debilis
Monolaurin
Myrobalan
Myrrh
Neoandrographolides
Nettle
Onosma bracteatum
Osthole
Pelargonium
Pentatropis capensis
Platycodon
Polygonatum
Polygonum
Premna
quercetin
ravinsara
reishi mushroom
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
selenium
Shikimic Acid
spirulina
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sundew
Sweet Annie
Sweet Bay
sweet wormwood
Tremella
turmeric
Umckaloabo
Vasicine
Visnea Mocanera
vitamin C
vitamin D
Xanthophyll
Yerba santa
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
Zingerone
