Welcome to Discussions

In a small, but significant British study, conducted by a pre-eminent RA specialist, the following was found:

 

"'Anything that can help to reduce NSAID use is going to be safer for patients.'"

"That quote comes from Dr. Andrew Bamji, and he knows what he's talking about – he's the president of the British Society for Rheumatology.

Dr. Bamji recently offered that quote to the BBC regarding a new UK study that shows how some rheumatoid arthritis patients might reduce their use of non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs by supplementing with a safe, natural agent that has been shown to supply many other healthy benefits as well.

[NSAID use puts a severe strain on the digestive system. How severe does it get? According to the American Gastroenterological Association, long-term NSAIDs use is responsible for well over 100,000 hospitalizations each year due to upper gastrointestinal adverse events, and may contribute to an astonishing 16,500 deaths per year.]

But many patients with rheumatoid arthritis would find life unbearable without NSAIDs to relieve their pain.

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), chronic inflammation of the joints and soft tissue around the joints is prompted by an autoimmune reaction. The key word in that sentence is "inflammation" – exactly the problem that NSAID use addresses, but at a potentially high cost.

Based on research that shows omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, researchers at the University of Dundee and the University of Edinburgh recruited nearly 100 RA patients for a cod liver oil intervention study.

STUDY PROFILE

• Half the subjects were given 10 grams of cod liver oil daily (delivering 2.2 grams of omega-3 fatty acids), and half were given a placebo
• At baseline, and again at weeks 4, 12, 24, and 36, researchers checked each subject's daily use of NSAIDs and RA activity
• At week 12 each subject was instructed to gradually reduce or even stop NSAID use if possible
• Nearly 40 percent of subjects in the cod liver oil group were able to reduce NSAID use by at least 30 percent
• Only 10 percent of subjects in the placebo group were able to reduce NSAID use to the same level

The BBC reports that this is the third study conducted by the Dundee/Edinburgh team in which patients were able to cut down on NSAID use with the help of cod liver oil supplements.

--------------------------------------------
Too much…or just enough?
--------------------------------------------

Of course, many RA patients who use cod liver oil daily will enjoy other healthy benefits because this type of fish oil is an excellent source of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids – two of the most important nutrients in the prevention of cancer and heart disease.

But what about that dosage? 10 grams per day? Isn't that pretty high?

Putting that question to HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., he answered that it's actually about right when you're treating a major challenge like RA.

Dr. Spreen: "Like vitamin C, to really get a 'drug-like' effect, you have to get pretty heavy on the dosage. That means lots of capsules (or nasty tasting oil), which upsets some people's stomachs and leaves them 'fish-tasting'.

"Similar doses can be used on depression, bipolar disorder, high triglycerides, and other issues tied to inflammation besides arthritis. [emphasis added] But it also requires (in my opinion) 400 iu of vitamin E mixed tocopherols twice/day, to stop the free radical formation that comes from even the 'good' polyunsaturated oils."

Talk to your doctor before adding cod liver oil to your supplement regimen!
Researchers now say "YES." Gram for gram, this discovery packs awesome amounts of Omega 3 fatty acids, plus:

• 6 times more calcium than whole milk...
• 15 times more magnesium than broccoli...
• 3 times more antioxidant power than fresh blueberries...
• More fiber than flaxseed...
• More protein than soy..."

Not for EVERYONE, but something to consider.

 

The above was shared in a newsletter by <www.HSI Baltimore.com>. 

Thanks Bonnie for posting the details of this study...I thought it was interesting how many different types of diseases this seems to help. I try to limit chronic use of even over-the-counter pain meds because my stomach is pretty sensitive so it's nice to consider healthier alternatives.

 

I'll be interested see where they take this new info on cod liver oil. It would certainly be a welcome change from NSAIDS.  However, I must again state: the claim that cod liver oil helps bipolar disorder, etc. is not scientically supported. This contention deviates from the original study. Using the RA study in this way is scientifically and intellectually dishonest. Not to mention the fact that the doctor who made that statement directly profits from the sale of supplements and natural health remedies. How long before his company is selling cod liver oil for these diseases?

 

As ever, providing the other side of the story.

 You are correct that the studies cited do not mention the other ailments which cod liver oil may help, alathough it does not follow that they may not help those conditions. I provided the entire statement as I felt that the addition of information regarding the vitamins which could support the therapy would benefit some.  The larger issue is that for many people, the use of supplements and vitamins which have frewer toxic side effects could be a wonderful addition to some people's fight against pain, again with the supervision of their own doctor.

 

I provided the "entire statement" as I felt it would be intellectually dishonest to edit the news release, and again, highlighted the point that any change should be made with the supervision of the patient's doctor, who could use or reject the info re the additonal vitamins etc as he/she thought fit, no matter where purchased.

REGARDING DEPRESSION AND COD LIVER OIL:  From <MedicinNet.com.>

 

"Cod Liver Oil May Help Prevent Depression

 

A spoonful of cod liver oil a day may help reduce the risk of depression by as much as 30 percent, according to a Norwegian study that looked at almost 22,000 people, ages 40-49 and 70-74, BBC News reported.

 

The study, conducted from 1997 to 1999, found that 2.5 percent of people who took cod liver oil had depressive symptoms, compared with 3.8 percent in the rest of the population.

 

The researchers also suggested that the longer a person took cod liver oil, the less depressed they became, BBC News reported. The study appears in the Journal of Affective Disorders.

 

Cod liver oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are believed to offer a number of health benefits, including reduced risk of heart attack, stroke and cancer."

 

I wonder what mechanism these scientists speculate the cod oil is working on to improve symptoms...The sample ages are interesting too-large size but specific age groups. 

In the interest of intellectual honesty, then: Here is the original article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7307298.stm

This was not the link that the email I received was referencing, nor is it the link to the original research.  However, they are obviously related.

 

An important link, should any care to pursue this, is the following:

 

 

<Vhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/1817974.stm>

 

"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.  This is a direct response from the a section of the original research."