Pain relief

 
Published: Friday 31 March 2000

According to researchers at Cardiff University, UK, cod liver oil can ease pain of arthritis by mimicking the effects of aspirin. The fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These inhibit a key inflammatory enzyme called cox-2, which is thought to cause much of the swelling and pain in arthritis, say the researches. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin also have this property. Says Bruce Caterson, one of the researchers: "The key now is to find which fish oils works best" (New Scientist, Vol 165, No 2222).

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