NOW Foods Cod Liver Oil Review: Does This Extra Strength Formula Hold Up?

Have you ever picked up a cod liver oil supplement and wondered what the 1,000 mg on the front really means? You might think you are getting a full 1 gram of omega-3s in a capsule, but it’s a little different with cod liver oil. It is also a source of vitamin A and vitamin D and, along with EPA and DHA, does not tell the whole story in terms of the amount of oil. This is important to consider when considering cod liver oil supplements.

NOW Foods Cod Liver Oil Extra Strength is a simple cod liver oil supplement containing omega-3s and vitamins D and A. The brand also says that it checks the oil for pollutants like heavy metals, PCBs, and dioxins.

At $16.99 for 90 servings, it offers a budget-friendly option, though the formula and serving amounts are worth considering when deciding if it fits your needs.

Quick Verdict

NOW Foods Cod Liver Oil Extra Strength is an easy-to-take softgel capsule with cod liver oil, omega-3s, and vitamin A and D3. The label is easy to read, and the 90-count bottle will last for approximately three months. There is also high-quality testing of the brand for purity and safety.

It contains 1,000 mg of cod liver oil per softgel capsule but only 170 mg of combined EPA and DHA, which makes it suitable for general use rather than for high-strength omega-3 supplements.

If you’re curious but are willing to pay for it, consider taking it; though, if you want more proof, you might want to wait until you get a more substantial dose of EPA and DHA, like the 300 mg found in capsules.

What Is NOW Foods Cod Liver Oil?

NOW Foods Cod Liver Oil Extra Strength is a dietary supplement derived from fish and made from cod liver oil from Norway and Iceland. It is in a softgel form, and the recommended dose is one softgel a day with a meal.

The bottles are sizes 90 and 180. Each softgel contains 1,000 mg of cod liver oil, including 70 mg EPA and 100 mg DHA.

It also contains 300 mcg of vitamin A and 10 mcg (400 IU) of vitamin D3. The formula can be viewed as an everyday cod liver oil supplement rather than a ‘concentrated’ omega-3-fish oil product. The key distinction of the formula from the typical fish oil is the naturally occurring vitamins A and D, which come with EPA and DHA.

How Does NOW Foods Cod Liver Oil Rate?

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Product Specifications

About the Manufacturer

NOW Foods is a family-owned natural products company based in Iceland and Norway since 1968. It has grown its product line over the years to include natural foods, essential oils, sports nutrition, personal care products, and more.

Product cod liver oil comes from Iceland and Norway and is packaged and quality-tested in the U.S. The company claims it is operating under FDA current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) for supplement manufacturing and is third-party GMP certified on the official website.

How Does It Work?

NOW Foods Cod Liver Oil works by supplying omega-3 fatty acids along with vitamins A and D3. EPA and DHA are incorporated into cell membranes and take part in processes related to cardiovascular function, inflammatory signaling, and other normal cellular activities. Each softgel provides 70 mg of EPA and 100 mg of DHA.

Vitamin A supports normal vision, immune function, growth, and cellular processes, while vitamin D3 helps the body absorb calcium and contributes to normal bone mineralization. Together, these nutrients explain the product’s nutritional role, although the amounts of EPA and DHA are lower than those used in many higher-dose omega-3 formulas.

Key Ingredients

The formula is simple, but the ingredients serve different roles; they separate the oil from the EPA/DHA.

Cod liver oil

Cod liver oil is available in softgel form for 1,000 mg, including omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A and D. It has been a traditional food supplement for many years. But the amount of EPA and DHA and vitamin content differs between products. EPA and DHA are absorbed into the bloodstream, depending on the formulation, in a 2018 Study.

EPA and DHA

EPA and DHA are the primary long-chain omega-3 fats in this formula, providing 70 mg EPA and 100 mg DHA per serving. They could have an effect on cardiovascular markers such as triglycerides, blood pressure, and inflammation; however, studies were often conducted with a significantly greater combined dose than 170 mg, which is the amount found in this product.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is provided as 300 mcg (33% of the Daily Value) per softgel. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements states that vitamin A has a variety of functions, including normal vision, immune function, growth, reproduction, and blood cell communication. Since this formula contains preformed vitamin A from retinyl palmitate and cod liver oil, the total dose from other supplements should also be taken into account.

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 comes in at 10 mcg, or 400 IU, which provides 50% of the daily value. Vitamin D is involved in the absorption of calcium, in the normal mineralization of bones, and in normal body function. The amount here is helpful as part of the daily intake but not as high as the usual RDA for adults (which varies from 600 IU to 800 IU), depending on age.

Potential Benefits of Now Foods Cod Liver Oil

None of these are guaranteed outcomes from this specific product, but they reflect the established nutritional roles of its main ingredients.

• Omega-3 Support: EPA and DHA provide long-chain omega-3 fatty acids involved in normal cell membranes and several cardiovascular and metabolic processes.
• Cardiovascular Support: Omega-3 fatty acids have been widely studied for cardiovascular health, although benefits vary by dose, formulation, and the health of the person taking them.
• Vitamin A Support: Each softgel provides 33% of the daily value for vitamin A, which contributes to normal vision, immune function, growth, and cellular processes.
• Vitamin D Support: The formula supplies 400 IU of vitamin D3 to support normal calcium absorption, bone health, and related body functions.
• One-Softgel Convenience: One serving combines cod liver oil, two omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A and D without requiring several separate capsules.

Safety and Side Effects

NOW Cod Liver Oil is designed for adults and is taken as one softgel daily. Omega-3 supplements are generally safe, and some people may experience a fishy taste, burping, nausea, heartburn, stomach discomfort, and diarrhea.

People with a fish allergy should avoid this product because it contains cod. Vitamin A is preformed; the adult upper limit is 3,000 mcg per day. This is 300 mcg per serving, so other vitamin A supplements should be taken into account.

NOW suggests that pregnant or nursing women, people who are taking medication, or people living with a medical condition should consult their doctor before use.

What Customers Are Saying

Reviews for this product skew positive overall, but not everyone walks away impressed, and it’s worth hearing both sides before deciding.

Pam R.-

I have used NOW products and this cod liver oil for a while, but I am not very impressed with the results or overall quality.

Linda RD-

It has no aftertaste, but I did not notice meaningful benefits, and I am unsure I would repurchase it for daily use.

How to Use

Take one softgel daily with a meal, swallowing it whole. Store the bottle in a cool, dry place after opening and avoid heat, moisture, refrigeration, or freezing. The 90-count provides 90 servings, while the 180-count doubles that supply.

Avoid taking extra softgels, as this increases vitamin A and D intake. If targeting specific omega-3 levels, consult a healthcare provider and choose a product based on EPA and DHA content.

How Much Does NOW Foods Cod Liver Oil Cost?

A 90-softgel bottle runs $16.99 as a one-time purchase, or $29.99 if you go with the larger 180-count option, which the brand says offers slightly better value per serving. Orders over $50 qualify for free standard shipping in the contiguous 48 states and Washington, D.C., while smaller orders are subject to standard shipping rates.

Either way, you’re working within a 30-day return window for unopened products, and the real decision comes down to whether the modest per-serving savings and bottle size matter more to you than the actual omega-3 content.

Is NOW Foods Cod Liver Oil a Scam?

No. NOW Foods is a long-established company (since 1968) with clear labeling, sourcing details, and published retail pricing. It also follows in-house testing protocols and third-party GMP certification standards.

However, omega-3 health benefits should not be overstated, as research typically uses higher EPA and DHA doses than the 170 mg provided. This product is best viewed as a basic cod liver oil supplement offering modest omega-3s plus vitamins A and D, not a high-potency omega-3 formula.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is NOW Foods Cod Liver Oil Extra Strength?

A: It is a one-softgel-daily supplement providing 1,000 mg of cod liver oil along with EPA, DHA, vitamin A, and vitamin D3.

Q: Does it contain 1,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids?

A: No. 1,000 mg refers to cod liver oil. Each softgel provides 70 mg EPA and 100 mg DHA, or 170 mg combined.

Q: How much vitamin A does each softgel contain?

A: One softgel provides 300 mcg of vitamin A from retinyl palmitate and cod liver oil, equal to 33% of the Daily Value.

Q: How much vitamin D3 does it provide?

A: Each daily serving contains 10 mcg, or 400 IU, of vitamin D3, which equals 50% of the Daily Value.

Q: How should I take NOW Cod Liver Oil?

A: NOW recommends taking one softgel daily with a meal and storing the bottle in a cool, dry place after opening.

Conclusion

NOW Foods Cod Liver Oil Extra Strength keeps the formula simple: one daily softgel provides cod liver oil, EPA, DHA, vitamin A, and vitamin D3. The long-serving supply, clear label, contaminant-testing standards, and established manufacturer are useful points for anyone looking for a basic cod liver oil supplement.

The main limitation is the omega-3 concentration. Despite the 1,000 mg cod liver oil amount, each softgel contains 170 mg of combined EPA and DHA, which is lower than many concentrated fish oil supplements. It also contains preformed vitamin A, so total intake matters when combining it with other supplements.

Overall, its suitability depends on whether the goal is to use a basic cod liver oil supplement or obtain a more concentrated source of EPA and DHA.