Scientists have uncovered evidence that an age old remedy usually meted out as punishment but found in most household medicine cabinets, could be the secret to cutting down the use of drugs by up to 30 per cent to treat arthritic pains.

For 30 years of her life, Maureen Jennings has battled Rheumatoid Arthritis. While the pain in her hands is obvious, it's the ongoing regime of medication and anti-inflammatory drugs that can leave her feeling exhausted and short changed.

But a new study offers hope. It showed people with Rheumatoid Arthritis need only take two teaspoons of cod liver oil to cut their reliance on pain killers by more than 30 per cent.

Rheumatologist, Professor Leslie Cleland has been at the forefront of research in Australia in fish oils and arthritis. He says the research is positive news for sufferers.

"It means they can choose to take a fish oil for pain relief and that means that they can reduce or avoid taking the analgesic anti-inflammatory drugs which have been shown to increase risk for cardio-vascular events and for serious complications in the stomach," he said.

But can sufferers, like Maureen, throw away their drugs altogether?

"Some people may find fish oil sufficient, others will find they will still need the other type of drugs, some may need them on a regular basis but at least they will take the fish oil which will have cardio-vascular benefit and potentially reduce their reliance on those drugs," Professor Cleland said.

Professor Cleland says improvements should be seen within two to three months.

"It is a long term treatment, it is not a simple treatment you take for a sprain or a headache, but if you have a chronic arthritic condition, it makes sense," he said.

"It's a long pathway and to have something that is working is very good," he added.

Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferer, Sarah Daley, has been taking fish oils to reduce her arthritic pain, as part of a medical trial with Professor Cleland at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

"Just recently I've had a drastic improvement, my hands are looking a lot better and feeling a lot better as well as my feet," Sarah said.

"I feel like I'm nearing the end now and everything is sort of improving. Hopefully I can step into the next stage now," she added.

Further information

A trial of fish oil in knee osteoarthritis is currently being conducted in Adelaide, Sydney and Hobart.

If you are interested in participating, please call 08 82227367 (Adelaide), 02 9926 6470 (Sydney) or 1800 6381244 (Hobart).