A daily fiber supplement reduced knee arthritis pain and improved strength
A clinical trial from the University of Nottingham suggests that daily inulin fiber supplements can reduce pain and improve physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The study indicates that targeting gut health may offer a simpler, effective alternative to traditional pain medications.
Why it matters
This research offers a low-cost, non-pharmacological intervention for a chronic condition affecting millions of older adults.
A daily prebiotic fiber supplement may help reduce pain and improve physical function in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA), according to a new clinical trial. Participants who took the supplement also showed stronger grip and reduced sensitivity to pain, while the group had far fewer dropouts than those assigned to a digital physiotherapy program.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham led the INSPIRE clinical trial, which tested inulin, a natural dietary fiber found in chicory root, Jerusalem artichokes, and other vegetables. Taking inulin each day significantly reduced pain among participants with OA.
Published in the journal Nutrients , the findings indicate that supporting gut health could provide a new way to manage a widespread and disabling condition that commonly affects older adults.
A Simpler Approach to Knee Osteoarthritis
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