PlainPill

Cod Liver Oil

People mainly take Cod Liver Oil for mood, pain & inflammation, anxiety. Based on 66 first-hand reports and 3 meta-analyses & systematic reviews in the medical literature. Ranked #114 of 1,974 overall.

49
User score
Mostly positive
21% positive0% mixed6% negative73% unclear

Of reports that state an outcome, 78% are positive.

Clinical research
AStrong research base
3
meta-analyses
33
RCTs
1,016
papers

What Cod Liver Oil does, according to users

Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.

What the research says

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.

AStrong research base

3+ meta-analyses or systematic reviews and 10+ randomized controlled trials in humans. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.

Int J Clin Pract · 2021 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Nutrients that modulate gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review of cohort studies Jan 2019-Jan 2020

Conclusion: Ongoing studies support advice to adhere to a healthy balanced diet, with the addition of folic acid and a multi-vitamin suitable for pregnancy. There is new evidence suggesting probiotics and cod-liver oil supplementation may improve glycaemic control and also the important consideration of the psychological influences of eating.

PubMed 33480127 ↗
J Laryngol Otol · 2007 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
'Complementary ENT': a systematic review of commonly used supplements

Conclusion: The positive effects of spirulina in allergic rhinitis and of Vertigoheel in vertigo are based on good levels of evidence, but larger trials are required. There is overwhelming evidence that G. biloba may play no role in tinnitus. There is limited evidence for the use of multivitamins in sinus symptoms, and larger randomised trials are required.

PubMed 17125579 ↗

Dosage people report

As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.

1000 mgdaily
dailyas reported
275 mgdaily
1 teaspoondaily
1 g5x/week
20 mlas reported

Reported side effects

How often each side effect came up across all reports.

excessive nose ×1vitamin a ×1

What users say

Verbatim quotes, shortened only — each links to the original discussion.

“I take creatine monohydrate, cod liver oil, dessicated beef liver, spirulina/chlorella, and an essential amino acid supplement.”
Source discussion ↗
“Back in the day they used to give out tons of Cod Liver Oil during times of sickness.”
Source discussion ↗
“For DHA I have been taking this cod liver oil, it is wild and raw”
Source discussion ↗
“I highly recommend taking Cod Liver Oil gelcaps, Vitamin D, and getting a juicer.”
Source discussion ↗
“1gr cod liver oil”
Source discussion ↗
Top discussions (5)

Other options for mood

User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 2, 2026. How we rate