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Posted on Mar 27, 2008, 8 p.m.
By Jeanelle Topping
Taking cod liver oil every day could reduce the amount of painkillers required by people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a study has suggested.
Taking cod liver oil every day could reduce the amount of painkillers required by people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a study has suggested.
Researchers from Dundee University found that a dose of 10g of cod liver oil each day could lower the need for pain relieving drugs by almost a third.
Patients typically take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve the pain, but these have been linked to other health problems.
The study, published in the journal Rheumatology, gave some participants cod liver oil daily and some a placebo, along with NSAIDs. After three months they were asked to reduce their NSAID intake.
After nine months, 39 per cent of the cod liver oil group were able to cut their NSAIDs by 30 per cent, compared to just ten per cent of those taking the placebo.
"It reinforces previous research that has shown cod liver oil, and its high content of omega-3 essential fatty acids, to have significant anti-inflammatory properties in patients with rheumatoid arthritis," lead researcher professor Jill Belch said of the study.
Recent analysis by Greek researchers published in Rheumatology looked into previous RA studies and found that exercise could help people with RA.
