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Cod liver oil reduces need for arthritis drugs

Rheumatoid arthritis patients who take a daily dose of cod liver oil could reduce the need for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by 30%, according to a study published online in the journal Rheumatology.

University of Dundee researchers studied 97 patients with rheumatoid arthritis – half were given 10g of high strength cod liver oil every day and the other half took a placebo.

The researchers found that, after nine months, nearly 40% of those in the cod liver oil group were able to cut their daily NSAID requirement by a third, compared to just 10% of the placebo group.

The authors said cod liver oil offered natural pain management without the harmful side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs.


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Reader Response

Added: Saturday, 29 March 2008 22:29 GMT
Jackie Phelan, Slieverue, Ireland

i read your article on taking cod liver oil for arthritis. but i think i read somewhere that taking cod liver oil too much could damage your liver. is this true.


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Added: Friday, 28 March 2008 16:10 GMT
Anonymous, Mitcham, United Kingdom

I would like to say that I support these findings. As a sufferer myself (at only 27), taking cod liver oil and omega 3, 6 and 9 supplements has dramatically improved my condition. So much so that this winter, I took minimal pain relief and I cannot note any dates where I suffered from significant pain or discomfort. It is good to hear that there is not some research to support this simple treatment.


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