Cod Liver Oil May Slow, Reverse Osteoarthritis

CARDIFF, Wales--Cod liver oil may help reduce the pain caused by arthritis, according to researchers at Cardiff University (www.cf.ac.uk). The omega-3 fatty acids in the oil appear to switch off the aggrecan- and collagen-degrading enzymes that break down joint cartilage, slowing cartilage destruction and reducing inflammation, which lessens arthritic pain. Of the subjects who took 1,000 mg cod liver oil supplements, 86 percent had absent or reduced levels of the degrading enzymes, compared to 26 percent of subjects who took placebo. The 31 subjects in both groups followed the regimen for 10 to 12 weeks prior to total knee replacement surgery.

"This breakthrough is hugely significant because it demonstrates the efficacy of a dietary intake of cod liver oil in patients with osteoarthritis taken prior to their joint replacement surgery, said Bruce Caterson, professor at Cardiffs School of Biosciences and one of the studys researchers. The data suggests that cod liver oil has a dual mode of action, potentially slowing down the cartilage degeneration inherent in osteoarthritis and also reducing factors that cause pain and inflammation.

The study was partly funded by the Arthritis Research Campaign and will be published in a future issue of Arthritis and Rheumatism.