I have allergic rhinitis almost all my life. Every morning on end, the first thing that welcomed me was blocked nose with sneezing. Environmental factors like cigarette smoke, dust, strong perfumes, air freshener and change of temperature made the symptoms worse.  The allergy miraculously went away when I was in my early twenties when I decided to try liquid cod liver oil. I’d consume a tablespoon of original flavor cod liver oil everyday and several months later, I saw remarkable improvements in my health.  Cod liver oil is the yuckiest thing that I had ever tasted and till this day, I am still very averse to the smell and taste of it.  Thankfully cod liver oil is available in capsule form which makes it so much easier to consume.  Recently I started on cod liver oil capsules again after a break of over a decade as the familiar symptoms of  allergic rhinitis are popping up again.

Common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:

• sneezing
• a runny nose
• a stuffy nose
• an itchy nose
• coughing
• a sore or scratchy throat
• itchy eyes
• watery eyes
• dark circles under the eyes
• frequent headaches
• eczema-type symptoms, such as having extremely dry, itchy skin that can blister and weep
  hives
• excessive fatigue

You’ll usually feel one or more of these symptoms immediately after coming into contact with an allergen. Some symptoms, such as recurrent headaches and fatigue, may only happen after long-term exposure to allergens. Fever isn’t a symptom of hay fever.

Some external factors can trigger or worsen allergic rhinitis, including:

• cigarette smoke
• chemicals
• cold temperatures
• humidity
• wind
• air pollution
• hairspray
• perfumes
• colognes
• wood smoke
• fumes

For ages, parents have been forcing a spoonful of cod liver oil down the throats of little children. The nasty aftertaste that it leaves makes you wonder why go through the trouble. What does cod liver oil do anyway? In present day, the use of cod liver oil has decreased but there are still those faithful few that hold on to the notion that cod liver oil is a cure all especially in regards to allergies and asthma.

Cod liver oil is renowned as a nutrient-dense source of vitamins and essential fatty acids. It is, as the name suggests, derived from cod liver and is available as a liquid or capsule supplement.

According to a journal article from the US National Library Of Medicine, cod liver oil along with Vitamin A, C, E, D and a high dosage of Vitamin B Complex are very significant in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.  Cod Liver oil is high in Vitamins A & D which are natural anti-inflammatory to reduce inflammation of the mucus membranes. Vitamin C reduces inflammation and allergic responses. Fish oil may help to decrease the dryness of the lining of the respiratory tract and retain moisture in the the nasal passages.

Nutritional benefits of cod liver oil
The star ingredient in cod liver oil is omega-3, a polyunsaturated fat. Omega-3 is known as an essential fatty acid because the human body is unable to make it, so it is necessary to get it from food.

Omega-3 from fish can be broken down into two different types: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which together and individually offer many health benefits. The World Health Organisation recommends eating 1-2 portions of oily fish a week, equivalent to 200-500 mg of EPA and DHA.

Cod liver oil is also a good source of vitamin D, which helps us to absorb calcium and is important for strong bones and teeth.

All the nutrients in cod liver oil help prevent cancer. Vitamin A has been a part of  successful alternative cancer therapy so far. In a study in China, use of cod liver oil was found to be protective against childhood leukemia. In a study of Norwegian men and women, consumption of cod liver oil was found to protect against lung cancer.

Cod Liver Supplementation Hack: 
Keep your cod liver oil bottle in the freezer, and take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Why? Frozen cod liver oil is great at fighting worm infections, and can even be effective for amoeba parasites! When taken frozen on an empty stomach they will go right through the stomach, and when they get to the small intestine, they begin to dissolve and the cod liver oil is so thick that it coats the parasites like a blanket and suffocates them and kills them. Amazing!

Conclusion
In adults, cod liver oil may have its benefits of decreasing asthma and allergy symptoms. However it may increase allergic sensitization in children so caution should be taken. Even so, it may be better to increase children’s diet of fruits and vegetables to lower the risk of asthma and allergies. Also, one must remember that with taking cod liver oil, as any supplement, there are some risks. Over- consumption of cod liver oil means over- consumption of vitamin A which can cause toxicity in the body. Therefore, further research should be done on the matter as well as consulting a physician before adding a supplement to your diet.