General Health
Cod liver oil helps rheumatoid arthritis
By Sue Mueller
Mar 31, 2008 - 3:49:21 PM

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MONDAY March 31, 2008 (Foodconsumer.org) -- A study found a daily intake of cod liver oil, which is high in vitamin D, A and omega -3 fatty acids and known to have strong anti-inflammation properties, can help patients with rheumatoid arthritis cut painkiller use, BBC reported.

The study by researchers from Dundee University found taking 10 grams of cod liver oil per day helped patients reduce use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by 30% without any side effect.

NSAIDs are known to have some side effects such as stomach bleeding and if taken in large doses for a long term can increase risk of heart attacks and strokes.  Alternative treatments are desirable.

The study published in Rheumatology journal was small, but rheumatologists agreed cod liver oil did can benefit some patients.

In the study, 60 patients given cod liver oil or placebo for 12 weeks were asked to gradually reduce use of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, a common drug used for relief of symptoms of arthritis, primary dysmenorrhea, fever, and as an analgesic, especially where there is an inflammatory component, according to wikipedia.

The researchers found 39 percent of patients taking cod liver oil reduced their daily use of NSAIDs compared to 10 percent taking a placebo.  The reduction did not aggravate the pain or the disease, the study shows.



Story from BBC NEWS