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Science backs Cod Liver Oil as cure for arthritis
Scientists at Cardiff University (Wales, UK) have confirmed what thousands of people with arthritis have believed for years. Cod Liver Oil really 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. 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, by Professor Bruce Caterson at Cardiff University, 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 explains that the Omega-3 fatty acids in Cod Liver Oil work 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. He goes on to say, “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. 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”. Adds 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."
A spokesperson for the Arthritis Research Campaign, which part-funded the research, commented: ‘We are currently directing a share of our research grants to investigation of non-drug therapies as many people are unable to tolerate the side effects of drug treatment. We are delighted that something as simple and widely available as Cod Liver Oil has the potential to bring relief and restore quality of life to so many’.
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Professor Caterson’s findings will be published in the journal "Arthritis and Rheumatism" later this year.
In Reply to: Cod liver oil for Arthritis. posted by Deto on April 13, 2002 at 09:28:43:
I thought that cod supplied Vit A that is in the synovial
fluid that lubes the joint but that wouldn't seem to
explain why cod relieved my joint pain in about 15 min and
was only needed when the pain surfaced about every few
weeks when I would stress the joints. Seems like I had to
take it for 2-3 years and then didn't need it for 11yrs now.
I didn't finish a bottle of 100 gel caps in the time I
needed it. It didn't help a different type of pain I had in
the same joint though other things have.
VF
In Reply to: Cod liver oil for Arthritis. posted by Deto on April 13, 2002 at 09:28:43:
But I thought that codliver oil wasn't the best source of omega 3's??
In Reply to: Cod liver oil for Arthritis. posted by Deto on April 13, 2002 at 09:28:43:
Thanks, Deto.
You are right! This simple approach has been demonstrated to be effective for more than 50 years. However, because is is not expensive enough it has been ignored by the profession. I predict that, no matter how convincing Profesor Caterson's research is that it will be ignored by the profession (at least in the USA) for as many years as possible.
Although the omega 3's in cod liver oil undoubtedly have a lot to do with it's effectiveness, the vitamin D also likely plays a part as well.
It is interesting that your Arthritis Research Campaign people are still saying: try the drugs first and THEN if the person is unable to tolerate them, try the alternatives. I am sure they are saying that to placate the conventional medical "thinkers". Obviously that should be reversed. Try the safe and effective remedies first (even though they do not further fill the overflowing coffers of the drug companies) and THEN try the dangerous drugs if needed.
Namaste`
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Cod liver oil for Arthritis. (Archive.) posted by Walt Stoll on April 14, 2002 at 08:02:58:
This simple approach has been demonstrated to be effective for more than 50 years. However, because is is not expensive enough it has been ignored by the profession. I predict that, no matter how convincing Profesor Caterson's research is that it will be ignored by the profession (at least in the USA) for as many years as possible.
Dr. Crewe found himself in a similar situation. He used a therapy that involved using large quantities of raw milk, up to 5 quarts a day. He (and others) had demonstrated that this therapy was very effective in curing many illnesses, one of which was diabetes (it took somewhere from 4 to 10 weeks to cure it in most patients). However, when he presented his results to some medical conference, reaction of other attendees was that the therapy was too simple to interest modern medical men.
In Reply to: Re: Cod liver oil for Arthritis. posted by BarbaraN on April 13, 2002 at 15:44:15:
Why did you think so? That's pretty much what it provides -- preformed Omega-3's, EPA and DHA.
BTW, Carlson's is recommended very often. Dr. Mercola likes it too. It comes in different flavors.
In Reply to: Re: Cod liver oil for Arthritis. posted by R. on April 14, 2002 at 18:34:56:
I read somewhere...geesh can't remember where now haha That in order to get enough omega 3's from cod liver oil that you'd get too much vitamin A and D and therefore it was better to get your omega 3's from fish oil or flaxoil.
In Reply to: Re: Cod liver oil for Arthritis. (Archive.) posted by R. on April 14, 2002 at 18:32:04:
Thanks, R.
Typical Tolstoy Syndrome.
Namaste`
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Cod liver oil for Arthritis. (Archive.) posted by R. on April 14, 2002 at 18:32:04:
A.K.A. "Doesn't require a prescription so is in direct competition to my income."
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Cod liver oil for Arthritis. posted by BarbaraN on April 15, 2002 at 08:16:40:
About fish oils compared to cod liver for arthritis. When I
was taking one cod cap to get rid of my knee pains I saw
the N E Jornal of Med newsletter and they were studying
fish oil to help arthritis. They were giving 20 caps a day
and geting a 30% reduction in pain. I saw taking One cod
and geting complete reduction till the next time. Now I
thought that the cod was helping to lube the joint and maybe
rebuilt it since I haven't had the problem for years. I
remember thinking, that they were Close.
VF
In Reply to: Re: Cod liver oil for Arthritis. posted by BarbaraN on April 15, 2002 at 08:16:40:
You need to confirm your facts because I think you're off. First of all, cod liver oil is a fish oil. Second, how much Omega-3's do you think you need to get? And what kind of Omega-3's? They are different. Plant based need to be converted to EPA and DHA, and the conversion is very inefficient (in low one digit percentage points), from what I've read. That also depends on saturated fat intake and a few other factors. This is similar to beta-carotene to Vitamin A conversion process. A usually recommended daily dose of cod liver oil is 1 tsp, which usually contains about 500 mg EPA and 500 DHA. How much each did you read you need to take? Why don't you read Tripping Lightly Down the Prostaglandin Pathways (Description of fatty acid conversions)?
As far as overdosing on Vitamin A and D, I'd recommend reading the following articles:
In Reply to: Re: Cod liver oil for Arthritis. (Archive.) posted by Walt Stoll on April 15, 2002 at 08:44:20:
nmi
In Reply to: Re: Cod liver oil for Arthritis. posted by R. on April 15, 2002 at 13:03:38:
Well, to start with, I thought I needed to take the amounts listed in Walt's article on this site. Then cut back to determine how much I need. I'll read the links you provided. Thanks for the info!
- Vitamin A Saga
- Miracle of Vitamin D
Follow Ups:
Walt maybe you could try the raw milk therapy to see if it cures your diabetes?? (nmi)
Posted by kmd on April 15, 2002 at 13:47:16:
Follow Ups:
Re: Cod liver oil for Arthritis.
Posted by BarbaraN on April 16, 2002 at 05:15:03:
Follow Ups:
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