Study: Cod Liver Oil Slows Cartilage Destruction in Patients With Osteoarthritis

Cod liver oil is effective in slowing the destruction of joint cartilage in patients with osteoarthritis, according to a study reported by a team of British researchers.

The study involved 31 patients who were recruited a few weeks prior to undergoing total knee joint replacement surgery. Half of the patients were given two daily capsules containing 1,000 milligrams of extra high strength cod liver oil and half were given placebo capsules. At the time of surgery, samples of cartilage and joint tissue were taken from the knee joint and analyzed.

The study found that 86% of the patients who took cod liver oil capsules had none or significantly reduced levels of the enzymes that cause cartilage damage, compared to 26% of those given a placebo. The researchers also found a marked reduction in some of the enzymes that cause joint pain in patients taking the cod liver oil.

The findings could hold the key to reducing the number of knee and hip replacements carried out each year, according to the researchers who presented their study results February 12 at a press conference in London.

"Through fate and luck we've found a way of slowing down the progression of osteoarthritis," said researcher Bruce Caterson, of Cardiff University. "And it turns out to be a very affordable and safe treatment, a treatment that will impact on many people's lives."

Researcher Colin Dent, of the University of Wales College of Medicine, said patients resort to joint replacement surgery when the symptoms and pain of their arthritis becomes unbearable. "Cod liver oil can counteract these symptoms, and if you can switch off the cartilage destruction and pain then surgery may not be necessary," he added.

Caterson said the results also suggest that people who have suffered sports injuries that lead to the early onset of osteoarthritis such as meniscal tears or cruciate ligament ruptures should consider taking cod liver oil to slow the progression of their disease.

Other sources: Cardiff University