A new study conducted by UK researchers revealed that intake of cod liver oil in either capsule or liquid forms daily can ease the arthritis pain in patients suffering from the condition.

A researchers group from Edinburgh University and Dundee University, UK has discovered that taking 10 gm of cod liver oil on a daily basis can cut the need of anti-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs by 30%.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are painkillers that are known for their fallouts such as increased risk of stomach bleeding. The recent studies have also disclosed that they increased the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Lead researcher Prof Jill Belch said, “This study offers hope to many rheumatoid arthritis patients for whom cod liver oil supplements can offer a natural pain management treatment without the harmful side-effects associated with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs.”

“It reinforces previous research that has shown cod liver oil, and its high content of omega-3 essential fatty acids, to have significant anti-inflammatory properties in patients with rheumatoid arthritis,” Prof. Belch added.

For this particular study, the researchers gave cod liver oil to the patients, while a few were given a placebo. After a time period of 12 weeks, the patients were asked to slowly cut the use of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen.

The study results revealed that 39 percent of the patients taking cod liver oil had reduce their daily dose of drugs as compared to the 10% who were taking a placebo.

“Every change in medication should be discussed with a GP but I would advise people to give cod liver oil a try for 12 weeks alongside their NSAIDs and then try to cut it down if they can manage it but if they don’t manage it, that’s fine. If you can get off NSAIDs it will be much safer,” Prof Belch said