SCIENTISTS HAVE uncovered further evidence that cod liver oil can benefit people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
A study published in Rheumatology showed that people taking a cod liver oil supplement could cut their reliance on anti-inflammatory drugs by more than 30 per cent. Many patients with RA take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, in high doses these have been linked to side effects, including increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and gastrointestinal bleeding.
The new study, by experts at the Ninewells Hospital and Medical School in Dundee and the University of Dundee, analysed 97 patients with RA who took NSAIDs. They were given either 10g of cod liver oil containing 2.2g of n-3 (omega-3) essential fatty acids, or "dummy" pills.
Some 58 patients completed the study. Of 49 patients in the cod liver oil group, 19 (39 per cent) were able to cut their daily NSAID requirement by more than 30 per cent after nine months. Out of 48 patients in the placebo group, just five (10 per cent) were able to reduce their daily NSAID requirement by more than 30 per cent. No difference was observed in how the disease behaved.
The authors said the findings were important at a time "when there are increasing concerns about adverse events associated with NSAID use".