Ulrike asked what the DHA and EPA (listed under the nutritional content of
the cod liver oil she bought) are.  I looked them up in "The Real Vitamin
and Mineral Book", by Shari Lieberman, PhD, and here's what it says
(paraphrased):
 
DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (Eicosapentaeonic acid) - Are both
omega-3 fatty acids.  In certain plants, omega-3 fatty acids are found in
the form of alpha-lineolic acid.  Once it enters the body, this fatty acid
is converted to EPA, which is then converted to DHA.  The oils of certain
fish contain preformed EPA and DHA, the active and most desirable forms of
the omega-3 family.  Ultimately, DHA is converted to a group of
anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, which are hormonelike substances used
throughout the body.  It is this final conversion to prostaglandins that is
responsible for omega-3's therapeutic effects.
 
Hope this helps ..
 
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[Posted in FML issue 2560]