MORE EVIDENCE ON COD LIVER OIL CURING ARTHRITIS
Scientists at Cardiff University, in Wales, have confirmed what thousands of people with arthritis have believed for years -- cod liver oil is effective in treating joint pain and can slow, even reverse, the destruction of joint cartilage. Cartilage is the "gristle" that cushions bones and prevents them from grinding against each other. Omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil work by switching off the aggrecan- and collagen-degrading enzymes that break down joint cartilage. This slows the progress of cartilage destruction that occurs in arthritis, reduces inflammation and thus lessens pain. "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," says Professor Bruce Caterson. "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."