Cod liver oil cuts arthritis pain without the side-effects..
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Cod liver oil cuts arthritis pain without the side-effects of painkillers
Cod liver oil: Reduces pain from arthritisTwo teaspoons of cod liver oil a day can cut the number of powerful painkillers needed to ease the pain of arthritis.
Researchers said many patients given the supplements were able to reduce their daily dose of anti-inflammatory drugs - some by more than 30 per cent.
The findings are a further indication that the fish oil is a cheap and natural way of helping sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis, one of the most common forms of the condition.
The ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) prescribed to millions of patients each year have been linked to a range of side-effects.
Long-term use of high doses to quell the pain and swelling of inflamed joints can double the threat of heart attack and raise the risk of strokes and heart disease.
Aisla Bosworth, of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, said: "Sufferers still rely heavily on anti-inflammatories, even though their safety is under scrutiny.
"It's in this context that this new research provides some promising new evidence that cod liver oil may reduce the need for anti-inflammatories."
The researchers from Dundee University and the city's Ninewells Hospital tracked the health of almost 100 rheumatoid arthritis patients taking NSAIDs.
Half were given 10g of cod liver oil - the equivalent of two teaspoons - to take alongside their daily dose of painkillers while half were given dummy capsules.
After three months, the volunteers were asked to try to gradually reduce their reliance on NSAIDs.
Nine months into the study, 39 per cent of those in the cod liver oil group had cut their daily dose of the painkillers by more than 30 per cent.
Just 10 per cent of those in the other group achieved the same result.
Crucially, those who cut their intake of painkillers did not find their symptoms worsened as a result, reported the journal Rheumatology.
Researcher Professor Jill Belch said: "This study offers hope to many patients for whom cod liver oil can offer a natural pain treatment without the harmful side-effects associated with anti-inflammatory drugs.
"It reinforces previous research that has shown cod liver oil, and its high contact of omega-3 essential fatty acids, to have significant anti-inflammatory properties in patients with rheumatoid arthritis."
The researchers added their finding was important at a time "when there are increasing concerns about adverse events associated with NSAID use".
They said: "One study reported regular NSAID use in over 70 per cent of the rheumatoid arthritis patients studied."
Previous research has shown the benefits of fish oils in staving off heart disease, cancer, depression and Alzheimer's disease in the elderly.
Source: Daily Mail, UK. Mar. 25, 2008