Ancient Potion

A new study shows that cod 
liver oil can reduce joint pain, reports Biplab Das 

The age-old belief that cod liver oil (CLO) may relieve excruciating joint pain has been proved right by a group of researchers from the Cardiff University of Wales College of Medicine. According to the researchers, CLO slows the destruction of cartilage in patients with osteoarthritis. 

"It checks cartilage damage and reduces factors that cause pain in the joints," said Prof. Bruce Caterson of the Cardiff University's School of Biomedicine. "CLO, which has omega-3 fatty acids, is very beneficial in arthritic disease." Caterson revealed the finding at a press conference held recently at the Royal College of Surgeons. The study also shows that CLO might even reduce the number of surgeries needed for knee and hip replacements. 

In osteoarthritis, the patient's immune cells go haywire, revving up the levels of enzymes that damage the cartilage, which cushions bones and prevents them grinding against each other. The Cardiff study carried out a trial among 31 patients waiting knee and hip replacements. Everyday, half of them were given two capsules containing 1000 mg CLO and half given placebo capsules (dummies without CLO). 

At the time of surgery, samples of cartilage and joint tissue were taken from the knee and analysed. The analysis showed 86 per cent of those who took CLO, had reduced levels of the cartilage-eating enzymes. This figure was just 26 per cent among those given placebo capsules. Moreover, CLO also reduced the levels of enzymes that cause joint pain in arthritic patients.