Using Cod Liver Oil on Osteoarthritis

Having strong, pain-free joints can really improve your quality of life.

Anyone afflicted with sore, aching joints, back pain or lacking mobility can understand how debilitating it can be.

Treatment can usually consist of corticosteriods and pharmacological drugs to ease pain. Some newer medications are said to help rebuild joints, but some come with a host of side effects.

Recent studies using cod liver oil on ostoearthritis found it offers some amazing benefits:

• Reduces enzymes that destroy joint cartilage.
• Lowers the amount of enzymes that cause joint pain.
• Decreases 'morning stiffness' and swollen joints.
• Improves bone mineral density.

Nutritionists and Doctors agree that getting adequate levels of vitamin D can help your body produce stronger, healthy bone cells.

An excellent source of vitamin D can be found in cod liver oil. The following studies look at the use of cod liver oil for joint pain and arthritis.

X ray of normal hands	X ray of arthritic hands

Cod Liver Oil Reduces Cartilate Damage in Osteoarthritis

United Kingdom - In 2002, scientists released a study showing how cod liver oil helped slow down the destruction of joint cartilage in osteoarthritis sufferers.

Joint cartilage is the 'cushion' between your joints. It stops your bones from grinding against each other. People with osteoarthritis usually get joint pain because this 'cushion' has broken down or eroded away.

Researchers in this study enrolled 31 patients. They were osteoarthritis patients scheduled for total knee joint replacement surgery.

Half these patients received 2 daily capsules of 1000 mg. extra high-strength cod liver oil and the other half received a placebo.

During surgery, researchers analyzed tissue samples of the patients' cartilage and joint tissue from their knee joints and here's what they discovered:

• 86% of patients taking cod liver oil had zero or significantly reduced levels of the enzyme that causes cartilage damage.
• The 'cod liver oil' patients showed lower levels of the specific enzymes that cause joint pain.
• Patients who didn't take cod liver oil didn't do as well. Only 26% of the placebo group showed any reduction in their enzyme levels.

Based on these results, researchers believe cod liver oil can reduce enzymes that destroy cartilage and reduce the amount of enzymes that cause pain - both very significant findings for this marine oil.

Cod Liver Oil Reduces Pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Germany - Doctors gave rheumatoid arthritis patients 1 gram capsule of cod liver oil every day for 3 months.

These patients experienced a 52% decrease in morning stiffness and a reduction in swollen joints. They also felt their joint pain reduced by over 60%.

All this from one single gram of cod liver oil....

Another study from Norway showed people with musculoskeletal pain experienced less pain when they took cod liver oil. Furthermore, a study from Iceland found women who supplemented their diets with cod liver oil experienced improved bone mineral density.

It appears the omega 3 fatty acids in cod liver oil helped maintain healthy bones and control inflammation in bone and joint diseases.

Comments:

These studies show there might be benefits of using cod liver oil on osteoarthritis and joint pain.

Remember that cod liver oil contains high amounts of vitamin D. Read my webpage on health benefits of vitamin D and learn the recommended daily allowances, food sources and how to avoid getting too much.

Interested in learning more about using healthy oils on joint pain? Read my webpage "Using Fish Oils On Arthritis." This bounty from the sea may be one treat we could all use for healthy, pain-free joints.

Nutritional therapy for arthritis is still experimental - even using cod liver oil on osteoarthritis. New research is being done in this exciting area. Following a healthy diet and moderate exercise is beneficial. Consult your doctor before making any changes to your treatment plan.

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