Many studies have shown the health benefits of fish oil, such as cod liver oil, due to its high content of Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids (EFA). Omega-3 EFAs have significant anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce the symptoms of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
This led to the question of whether cod liver oil supplements could reduce the need for potentially dangerous non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen. High doses of NSAIDs have been linked to increased risk of heart-attack, high blood pressure, stroke and gastrointestinal bleeding.
New research shows that use of cod liver oil supplements may allow RA patients to cut their use of pain medications by more than 30%.
Researchers from Ninewells Hospital and Medical School in Dundee and the University of Dundee studied 97 RA patients who took NSAIDs to manage their pain.
The participants were divided into 2 groups. One group received 10 grams of cod liver oil which contained 2.2 grams of Omega-2 EFA. The other group received a placebo. The research team analyzed the NSAID dosage taken, and measurements of the RA disease activity at 12, 24 and 36 weeks.
At 12 weeks the patients were instructed to gradually reduce, or even stop, their use of NSAIDs.
After 36 weeks, 39% of the group taking cod liver oil were able to reduce their NSAID intake by more than 30%. They also reported no significant increase in their level of pain.
Alternatively, only 10% of the placebo group were able to reduce their NSAID intake by more than 30%.
One drawback to the cod liver oil supplement was the high dosage required for the study, equivalent to about 10 capsules a day. As a result, some of the participants dropped out of the study before it was completed.
The research team was led by Professor Jill Belch from Ninewells Hospital. Their findings were published in the journal Rheumatology.
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