Fish oil may ease arthritis pain

Patients with crippling rheumatoid arthritis could reduce their reliance on painkillers by taking fish oil capsules, new research suggests. Researchers at Dundee University, UK, undertook a study of people with the disease which affects almost one in 100 Britons. They found that a daily blend of fish oil and cod liver oil helped just over one in three who received it. These patients reduced their intake of painkillers by around 30%.

Arthritis charities have welcomed the research, but a spokeswoman for the Arthritis Research Campaign said while fish oils were helpful, they would not replace vital palliative drugs.