Cod liver oil research latest
ARC-funded scientists in Cardiff have discovered that cod liver oil is effective in treating joint pain and can slow, even reverse, the destruction of joint cartilage.
Professor Bruce Caterson and his team at Cardiff University have shown that by exposing human osteoarthritic cartilage to cod liver oil in the laboratory for just 24 hours the action of the degradative enzymes and inflammatory factors affecting the tissue can be turned off, or even reversed.
Cartilage is the 'gristle' that cushions bones and prevents them from grinding against each other. Loss of cartilage leads to osteoarthritis, the painful and disabling condition experienced by 1.5 million people in the UK and the major reason for joint replacement surgery.
Cod liver oil's reputation for relieving the inflammatory processes involved in rheumatoid arthritis, a disease of the immune system affecting around 350,000 people including children, is already well established. These new findings bring hope to sufferers of the more prevalent osteoarthritic joint disease, particularly to those who are unable, because of adverse side effects, to take the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and COX-2 inhibitors commonly prescribed for the condition.
Professor Caterson explained that the Omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil worked by switching off the aggrecan- and collagen-degrading enzymes that break down joint cartilage. This, in effect, slows the progress of cartilage destruction that occurs in arthritis, reduces inflammation and thus lessens pain.
"Two years ago, research teams led by Professor John Harwood and myself at Cardiff University reported findings suggesting that the Omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil can reduce cartilage degradation and inflammation in arthritic disease," he added
"Our most recent work shows that by exposing human osteoarthritic cartilage to cod liver oil in the laboratory for just 24 hours we can turn off, or reverse, the action of the degradative enzymes and inflammatory factors affecting the tissue".
Added Professor Harwood:"This is where science and old wives' tales coincide. Our findings are consistent with advice that taking cod liver oil in early adulthood could prevent the onset of osteoarthritis and would reduce the harmful symptoms associated with the disease."
Fergus Logan, chief executive of the Arthritis Research Campaign, which is partly funding the Cardiff research, said that Professor Caterson's findings were extremely exciting, and offered a scientific basis for why cod liver oil helped people with arthritis - and has done for many years.
"Not only does cod liver oil reduce pain and inflammation in the joints of people with osteoarthritis but we now know it also turns off the enzymes responsible for destroying cartilage," he said. " We're delighted that something as simple and non-controversial as cod liver oil has the potential to bring relief and restore quality of life to so many people who suffer from osteoarthritis."
The ARC is currently directing a share of its research funds to investigating non-drug therapies including cod liver oil, acupuncture and magnetic therapy, as many people with arthritis are unable to tolerate the side effects of long-term drug.
Professor Caterson's findings will be published in the leading journal Arthritis and Rheumatism shortly.
