Description
NOW Cod Liver Oil 1,000 mg Extra Strength – 90 Softgels: A Complete 22-Section Guide
Quick answer:
NOW Cod Liver Oil softgels each contain 1,000 mg of cod liver oil providing 70 mg EPA and 100 mg DHA, plus 300 mcg RAE of vitamin A and 400 IU of vitamin D3. Adults take 1 softgel daily with a meal, and the bottle holds 90 softgels. It is a vitamin source more than an omega-3 concentrate, and it needs care in pregnancy and with other vitamin A supplements.
Key Facts About NOW Cod Liver Oil
| Name | NOW Cod Liver Oil 1,000 mg Extra Strength – 90 Softgels |
| Manufacturer | NOW Foods (USA, family owned since 1968) |
| Active ingredient | Cod liver oil 1,000 mg: EPA 70 mg + DHA 100 mg, vitamin A 300 mcg RAE, vitamin D3 400 IU |
| Quantity | 90 softgels = 90 servings |
| Form | Softgels (contains fish) |
| Dose | 1 softgel daily with a meal, adults only |
| Expiry | Printed on the pack |
| Use | A daily source of vitamins A and D with a small amount of omega-3 |
Short description: Extra strength cod liver oil that combines vitamins A and D3 with a modest amount of omega-3 in one daily softgel.
On this page
- Introduction
- What is it?
- How it works
- Key benefits
- Real-life use cases
- Who is it for?
- Who should avoid it?
- How to use
- Best time to take it
- When will you see results?
- Common mistakes
- Myths and facts
- Side effects
- Drug interactions
- Warnings
- Useful checks
- What to pair it with
- Product comparison
- When to see a doctor
- NSL expert tip
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Introduction to NOW Cod Liver Oil 1,000 mg
Cod liver oil is one of the oldest supplements in the family medicine cabinet. Grandparents handed it out by the spoonful every winter. Today it comes in an almost tasteless softgel, but the question we hear at the pharmacy has not changed: is it the same as fish oil, and is it enough for my omega-3?
In this guide we explain exactly what NOW Cod Liver Oil contains, using the numbers on the label, why it is mainly a source of vitamins A and D rather than an omega-3 concentrate, when it makes sense, and when you need to be careful, especially in pregnancy and when you already take other vitamin A supplements.
What Is NOW Cod Liver Oil?
It is a dietary supplement from NOW Foods, a family-owned American company founded in 1968. Each softgel contains 1,000 mg of cod liver oil, providing 70 mg of EPA and 100 mg of DHA, plus 300 mcg RAE of vitamin A (33% of the Daily Value) and 10 mcg, or 400 IU, of vitamin D3 (50% of the Daily Value).
The front of the bottle calls it Extra Strength, for cardiovascular support, with vitamins A and D3. One bottle of 90 softgels lasts 90 days at one softgel a day, and each softgel has 10 calories and 1 g of fat. For a full explanation of how it differs from regular fish oil, read our article on cod liver oil vs fish oil.
How NOW Cod Liver Oil Works in the Body
- EPA and DHA: long-chain omega-3 fatty acids that become part of cell membranes, particularly in the brain and eyes, and help regulate inflammation and blood fats.
- Vitamin A: preformed vitamin A (retinol) that supports vision in dim light, immunity and healthy skin and mucous membranes.
- Vitamin D3: helps the body absorb calcium and supports bones, muscles and immune function.
Because all of these nutrients are fat soluble, taking the softgel with a meal that contains some fat improves absorption, which is exactly what the label recommends.
Potential Benefits of NOW Cod Liver Oil
- A moderate dose of vitamin D: 400 IU helps cover part of daily needs, especially for people who spend most of the day indoors.
- Vitamin A: about one third of the Daily Value in a single softgel, supporting vision, immunity and skin.
- Omega-3 from a natural source: 170 mg of combined EPA and DHA, a modest top-up amount.
- One softgel a day: an easy routine for anyone who wants a simple, traditional supplement.
To be honest, the omega-3 content is low compared with fish oil concentrates: one softgel gives only 170 mg of EPA plus DHA. So we do not recommend relying on NOW Cod Liver Oil if your goal is a high omega-3 dose for lowering triglycerides. That goal needs a stronger concentrate and a doctor’s supervision.
Real-Life Use Cases
An office worker who spends all day indoors and never eats fish: he takes one softgel with lunch as a simple source of vitamin D and omega-3, and checks his vitamin D level before starting and again after three months.
A woman planning a pregnancy who was taking cod liver oil alongside prenatal vitamins: the pharmacist pointed out that her multivitamin also contained vitamin A, so she checked with her doctor, who preferred a vitamin A-free fish oil instead.
Who Is NOW Cod Liver Oil For?
- Adults who want a traditional supplement that combines vitamins A and D with a little omega-3.
- People who rarely eat oily fish and get little sun exposure.
- People who do not take other supplements that contain vitamin A.
- Anyone who prefers a single daily dose with food.
Who Should Avoid It or Ask a Doctor First?
- Pregnant women and those planning pregnancy should not take NOW Cod Liver Oil unless a doctor approves, because too much preformed vitamin A can harm the baby.
- People with a fish allergy.
- People taking multivitamins, separate vitamin A supplements or vitamin A-derived medicines such as isotretinoin.
- People with liver disease, since vitamin A is stored in the liver.
- People with high blood calcium or conditions that affect vitamin D metabolism.
- People on blood thinners, before speaking to their doctor.
- Children, since the label states it is for adults only.
How to Use NOW Cod Liver Oil
- Take 1 softgel daily with a meal, as the label directs.
- Ideally choose a meal that contains some fat to improve absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins.
- Do not double the dose on your own; more softgels also means more vitamin A and vitamin D.
- Add up the vitamin A from all your supplements before you start.
- Store in a cool, dry place after opening and keep out of reach of children.
Best Time to Take NOW Cod Liver Oil
The best time is with your largest meal of the day, often lunch, because dietary fat helps you absorb vitamin A, vitamin D and omega-3. Taking it with food also reduces fishy burps. Morning or evening matters less than taking it consistently every day.
When Will You See Results?
Supplements do not give an instant feeling. Blood vitamin D usually needs 8 to 12 weeks of regular use to change enough to show on a test, and omega-3 fatty acids take weeks to build up in cell membranes. The practical way to judge it is a vitamin D test before you start and again after about three months.
Common Mistakes With NOW Cod Liver Oil
- Treating it as a replacement for an omega-3 concentrate to lower triglycerides, when its EPA and DHA content is low.
- Combining it with a multivitamin and a separate vitamin A supplement without adding up the total.
- Taking it during pregnancy without medical advice.
- Taking several softgels a day to get more omega-3, which raises vitamin A for no good reason.
- Taking NOW Cod Liver Oil on an empty stomach, which increases burping and reduces absorption.
Myths and Facts
Myth: cod liver oil and fish oil are the same thing. Fact: cod liver oil comes from the liver and contains vitamins A and D, while fish oil comes from the flesh of fish and is concentrated in omega-3, usually without vitamin A.
Myth: the more softgels, the better. Fact: vitamin A builds up in the body, and the safe upper limit for adults is 3,000 mcg RAE a day from all preformed sources combined.
Myth: it treats heart disease. Fact: supplements only support general health, and the evidence for omega-3 supplements in preventing heart disease is mixed. Read more in our article on omega-3 for heart health.
Side Effects
Most people tolerate NOW Cod Liver Oil well at the recommended dose, but the following can happen:
- Fishy burps or aftertaste.
- Mild stomach upset, nausea or loose stools.
- Allergic reactions in people allergic to fish.
- With long-term overuse: signs of too much vitamin A such as headache, dizziness, dry skin and bone pain, or high calcium with very high vitamin D intake.
Drug Interactions
- Blood thinners and antiplatelet drugs such as warfarin, aspirin and clopidogrel: omega-3 may increase bleeding tendency, although the amount here is small.
- Vitamin A-derived medicines such as isotretinoin and acitretin: do not combine with extra vitamin A.
- Multivitamins and other vitamin A or D supplements: add up the totals.
- Heart medicines such as digoxin and thiazide diuretics: vitamin D can raise calcium, so ask your doctor.
- Orlistat and some cholesterol medicines that reduce fat absorption: they may reduce absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
Warnings
- Pregnancy: excess preformed vitamin A can cause birth defects; do not use during pregnancy unless your doctor advises it.
- Fish allergy: do not use if you are allergic to fish.
- Surgery: tell your surgeon about all omega-3 supplements before any operation.
- For adults only. Store in a cool, dry place after opening and keep out of reach of children.
Useful Checks
A vitamin D test (25-hydroxy vitamin D) before you start and after three months shows whether the dose suits you. People with liver disease or those taking several supplements may need liver function tests. If triglycerides are your concern you need a lipid profile, bearing in mind that NOW Cod Liver Oil is not the best option for lowering them.
What to Pair NOW Cod Liver Oil With
- Oily fish such as sardines, mackerel and salmon twice a week.
- Sensible sun exposure when possible.
- A balanced diet rich in vegetables, legumes and nuts.
- If you need a higher omega-3 dose, ask your doctor about a fish oil concentrate rather than taking more NOW Cod Liver Oil softgels.
Comparing NOW Cod Liver Oil With a Fish Oil Concentrate
| Product | Omega-3 per softgel | Vitamins A and D | Dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOW Cod Liver Oil 1,000 mg | EPA 70 + DHA 100 mg | Yes: A 300 mcg RAE + D3 400 IU | 1 softgel daily with a meal |
| NOW Ultra Omega-3 | EPA 500 + DHA 250 mg | No | 1 softgel once or twice daily with food |
In short: if you want vitamins A and D with a little omega-3, NOW Cod Liver Oil fits. If you want a higher omega-3 dose without vitamin A, the concentrate is the better choice. The difference between the two fatty acids is explained in EPA vs DHA.
When to See a Doctor
- Before use if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- If you take blood thinners, heart medicines or vitamin A-derived medicines.
- If you develop persistent headache, nausea, bone pain or peeling skin.
- Before any surgery.
- If you have liver or kidney disease or high calcium.
NSL Expert Tip
From the No Style Like pharmacy team: before buying NOW Cod Liver Oil, write down every vitamin product you take and look for vitamin A or retinyl on each label. If the total with this softgel comes close to 3,000 mcg a day, it is too much. Think of it first as a vitamin supplement, not your main omega-3 source. For a broader look at omega-3 in healthy aging, see our healthy aging guide.
NOW Cod Liver Oil FAQ
Can NOW Cod Liver Oil replace fish oil?
Not if you need a high omega-3 dose. One softgel gives only 170 mg of EPA plus DHA, while fish oil concentrates give much more.
Is NOW Cod Liver Oil safe in pregnancy?
Do not use it in pregnancy unless your doctor advises it, because excess preformed vitamin A can harm the baby.
Can I take it with a multivitamin?
Add up the vitamin A and vitamin D first and ask your pharmacist or doctor.
How many softgels a day?
One softgel with a meal, as the label states, for adults only.
Does NOW Cod Liver Oil cause fishy burps?
Some people notice a fishy aftertaste; taking it with food usually helps.
What is the expiry date?
The expiry date is printed on the pack.
Conclusion
NOW Cod Liver Oil 1,000 mg is a traditional supplement that gives 300 mcg RAE of vitamin A, 400 IU of vitamin D3 and 170 mg of EPA plus DHA in one softgel. It works well as a simple vitamin source, but it is not an omega-3 concentrate, and it needs care in pregnancy and alongside other vitamin A products. Order it today from No Style Like Pharmacy with delivery across Egypt.
Reviewed by the No Style Like Pharmacy content team. This information is for educational purposes only.
Read the label and follow the pack or your doctor’s directions; this content does not replace medical advice. Learn more at NIH ODS – Omega-3 Fatty Acids Fact Sheet.
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