Ian Botham says a daily dose of cod liver oil has helped to keep his joints supple

In a recent interview Ian Botham revealed that cod liver oil has helped to keep him sharp and his joints supple. He also stressed the importance of a healthy lifestyle stating walks in the countryside and getting your 5 a day as other key elements.

Cod liver oil is a nutritional supplement derived from liver of cod fish. It has high levels of the omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, and very high levels of vitamin A and vitamin D. It is widely taken to ease the symptoms of arthritis and for other health benefits.

Fish oils are a type of polyunsaturated fat - a 'healthy' fat. Unlike saturated animal fats, they don't raise your cholesterol levels, but are known to have a positive effect on health.
The suggested benefits of fish oil don’t stop with joints. A recent study undertaken by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle suggests that taking fish oil supplements may cut the risk of breast cancer by up to a third.

Other studies have shown that fish oil can be beneficial to an infant’s brain development during pregnancy and as such the Food Standards Agency advises girls, women who may conceive or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding to eat two 140g portions of oily fish weekly; boys and men should eat four. Cod liver oil should be avoided in pregnancy though and instead a ‘safe’ fish oil supplement such as Omega 3 is said to be the perfect fit.