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- # N1744
NOW Foods Cod Liver Oil Extra Strength 1,000 mg (180 Softgels)
Cod liver oil has been a trusted staple in family medicine cabinets for generations, and for good reason: it is one of nature’s most complete whole-food sources of essential Omega-3 fatty acids combined with naturally occurring vitamins A and D3. However, liquid cod liver oil has always had major drawbacks, including an overwhelming fishy taste and rapid spoilage once the bottle is opened.
NOW® Foods Extra Strength Cod Liver Oil (SKU N1744) solves these problems by delivering 1,000 mg of pure Norwegian cod liver oil inside a single, easy-to-swallow softgel. This extra-strength concentration provides higher potency per capsule than standard 650 mg formulas, giving your cardiovascular system, joint cartilage, immune defenses, and bone matrix daily nutritional support without the bitter taste or fish oil reflux.
- ✓ 1,000 mg Pure Norwegian Cod Liver Oil: Extra strength potency in just one softgel daily.
- ✓ Naturally Balanced Bioavailable Nutrients: Delivers 100 mg DHA, 70 mg EPA, 300 mcg Vitamin A, and 10 mcg (400 IU) Vitamin D3.
- ✓ Molecularly Distilled Purity: Rigorously tested to be free of hazardous levels of mercury, lead, PCBs, and dioxins.
- ✓ Odor & Taste Free: Sealed in bovine gelatin softgels to prevent oxidation and eliminate fishy aftertaste.
How It Works: The Biological Synergy of Marine Lipids and Fat-Soluble Vitamins
Unlike generic fish oils that only supply isolated omega fatty acids, cod liver oil functions as a complete biological system. The combination of marine triglycerides and fat-soluble vitamins works through interconnected cellular pathways to deliver whole-body health benefits:
- Cardiovascular & Arterial Integrity (EPA & DHA): Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) integrate directly into vascular cell membranes, helping maintain normal arterial flexibility and healthy systemic inflammatory balance by generating specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) (Calder, 2017). Clinical literature affirms that daily dietary EPA and DHA intake helps support healthy circulating blood triglyceride levels and normal cardiovascular function (Mozaffarian & Wu, 2011).
- Bone Density & Immune Defense (Vitamin D3): Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) acts as a critical hormone precursor that binds to Vitamin D Receptors (VDR) located on bone osteoblasts and immune white blood cells. It stimulates calcium absorption across the intestinal lining to protect skeletal density while activating antimicrobial responses in macrophage and T-cell defenses (Holick, 2007; Aranow, 2011).
- Vision & Mucosal Barrier Health (Vitamin A): Preformed vitamin A (retinol/retinyl palmitate) is essential for rhodopsin synthesis in retinal photoreceptor cells, which allows the eye to adapt to low-light night vision. Furthermore, vitamin A controls epithelial tissue repair, maintaining the structural integrity of lung, gut, and urinary tract mucosal linings (Tanumihardjo, 2011).
- Systemic Inflammatory Modulation: A prospective observational trial published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition demonstrated that regular daily consumption of cod liver oil was significantly associated with lower circulating baseline and exercise-induced C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in human subjects (Egeland et al., 2021).
• Aranow, C. (2011). Vitamin D and the immune system. Journal of Investigative Medicine, 59(6), 881–886. doi:10.2310/JIM.0b013e31821b8755.
• Calder, P. C. (2017). Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: from molecules to man. Biochemical Society Transactions, 45(5), 1105–1115. doi:10.1042/BST20160474.
• Egeland, J. T., et al. (2021). Regular consumption of cod liver oil is associated with reduced basal and exercise-induced C-reactive protein levels: A NEEDED 2014 sub-study. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 18(1), 51. doi:10.1186/s12970-021-00437-1.
• Holick, M. F. (2007). Vitamin D deficiency. New England Journal of Medicine, 357(3), 266–281. doi:10.1056/NEJMra070553.
• Mozaffarian, D., & Wu, J. H. Y. (2011). Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease: effects on risk factors, molecular pathways, and clinical events. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 58(20), 2047–2067. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2011.06.063.
• Tanumihardjo, S. A. (2011). Vitamin A: biomarkers of nutrition for development. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 94(2), 658S–665S. doi:10.3945/ajcn.110.005777.
Supplement Facts & Verified Product Ingredients
Every batch of NOW Cod Liver Oil Extra Strength 1,000 mg is manufactured to exact label specifications under cGMP compliance. Below is the verified nutritional panel per single softgel serving:
| Ingredient Component | Amount Per Serving | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Serving Size | 1 Softgel (180 Servings per Container) | |
| Calories | 10 | — |
| Total Fat | 1 g | 1%* |
| Vitamin A (from Retinyl Palmitate & Cod Liver Oil) | 300 mcg (1,000 IU) | 33% |
| Vitamin D3 (from Cholecalciferol & Cod Liver Oil) | 10 mcg (400 IU) | 50% |
| Cod Liver Oil (Product of Norway / Iceland) | 1,000 mg (1 g) | † |
| • Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) | 70 mg | † |
| • Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) | 100 mg | † |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. † Daily Value not established.
Other Ingredients: Softgel Capsule [bovine gelatin (BSE-free), glycerin, water].
Allergen Information: Contains fish (cod). Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, corn, milk, egg, or shellfish ingredients. Produced in a certified GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens. Non-GMO, Keto-friendly, and Halal compliant.
NOW Analytical Lab Testing & Strict Contaminant Constraints
Because marine fish can accumulate environmental pollutants from oceanic waters, cod liver oil requires rigorous purification and screening. NOW Foods maintains some of the most advanced, privately held analytical testing laboratories in North America, with facilities certified under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation.
Every production lot of NOW Cod Liver Oil undergoes molecular distillation and validation testing using cutting-edge instrumentation, including:
- ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry): Screens raw marine oil for toxic heavy metals down to trace parts-per-billion (ppb) concentrations, ensuring safety against mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium.
- GC-MS/MS (Tandem Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry): Detects and quantifies chlorinated pesticides, dioxins, furans, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
- HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography): Confirms exact fatty acid potency and vitamin concentrations so that every softgel matches label claims.
Adherence to Strict GOED Monograph Limits
NOW tests its marine oils against the voluntary monographs established by the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3 (GOED) and the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN). These specifications enforce purity thresholds far stricter than basic FDA limits:
- Mercury (Hg): Tested below 0.1 mg/kg (< 0.1 ppm).
- Lead (Pb): Tested below 0.05 mg/kg (< 0.05 ppm).
- Cadmium (Cd): Tested below 0.1 mg/kg (< 0.1 ppm).
- Inorganic Arsenic (As): Tested below 0.1 mg/kg (< 0.1 ppm).
- Total PCBs: Tested below 0.09 mg/kg.
- Dioxins & Furans: Tested below 1.75 pg WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ/g.
- Oxidation Stability: Strict limits on Peroxide Value (PV ≤ 5 meq O2/kg) and p-Anisidine Value (pAV ≤ 20) ensure the oil is completely fresh and protected from rancidity.
Suggested Usage, Real-World Practical Guidance & Safety Precautions
How and When to Take Your Softgel
Take 1 softgel daily with a meal. Because both the omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A and D3 are fat-soluble, consuming your softgel alongside a breakfast or dinner that contains dietary fats (such as avocado, olive oil, eggs, or yogurt) triggers the release of digestive bile salts and pancreatic lipases. This step maximizes intestinal absorption and helps prevent any gastrointestinal sensitivity.
Who Should Exercise Caution?
- Pregnancy and Conception: Women who are pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant should monitor their total daily vitamin A intake from all sources. The established upper tolerable limit for preformed vitamin A is 3,000 mcg RAE (10,000 IU). While one softgel of NOW Cod Liver Oil supplies a safe, moderate dose of 300 mcg (1,000 IU), always review your regimen with an obstetrician if taking alongside prenatal multivitamins.
- Blood-Thinning Medications: High-potency omega-3 fatty acids exert natural, mild antiplatelet effects. If you take anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs (such as warfarin, clopidogrel, or daily aspirin) or are scheduled for surgery, consult your prescribing physician before using this supplement.
- Storage Guidelines: Store your bottle tightly closed in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight (optimal range: 60°F–75°F). Do not freeze softgels, as freezing can stress gelatin seals. Keep out of reach of children.
Why Buy NOW Cod Liver Oil from VitaNet®?
Where you purchase dietary supplements matters just as much as the brand you select. Large automated marketplaces frequently expose heat-sensitive oils to sweltering shipping containers, unmonitored fulfillment warehouses, and untrusted third-party resellers. At VitaNet®, we do things differently:
- ✓ Serving Wellness Customers Since 1995: Over 31 years of independent, family-owned business operations backed by deep retail supplement experience and an accredited BBB A+ rating.
- ✓ Guaranteed Authentic Distributor Sourcing: We source all NOW Foods inventory directly through authorized wholesale distribution channels. You never have to worry about counterfeits, expired lots, or diverted stock.
- ✓ Climate-Controlled Warehouse Storage: Delicate marine oils require strict environmental control. Our Hartville, Ohio facility maintains regulated temperatures to safeguard softgel stability and prevent premature oxidation.
- ✓ Unconditional 100% Money-Back Guarantee: We stand behind every product we sell. If you are not completely satisfied, we provide a full refund and even cover return shipping costs on opened items.
- ✓ Personal, Direct Support: Need assistance with your order? Speak directly with real supplement professionals by phone at (330) 877-8786 or visit our physical retail storefront in Hartville, Ohio.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the difference between NOW Cod Liver Oil and regular fish oil?
Standard fish oil is pressed from the body flesh of small oily fish (like anchovies, sardines, or mackerel) and provides concentrated EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids, but virtually no vitamins A or D. Cod liver oil is extracted specifically from the nutrient-rich livers of Arctic cod. This means cod liver oil naturally supplies bioavailable vitamins A and D3 alongside its omega-3 fatty acids, making it a comprehensive, full-spectrum nutritional tonic.
2. Does this cod liver oil contain harmful levels of mercury, heavy metals, or PCBs?
No. Every lot of NOW Cod Liver Oil is molecularly distilled and tested in ISO/IEC 17025 accredited analytical laboratories. Using advanced ICP-MS and GC-MS equipment, the oil is screened and verified to meet or exceed strict GOED monograph limits. Heavy metals like mercury, lead, and cadmium, as well as PCBs and dioxins, are confirmed to be below detectable or established safe limits.