daily fiber supplement reduces knee arthritis pain and improves strength

A clinical trial led by the University of Nottingham found that a daily prebiotic fiber supplement called inulin significantly reduced pain in people with knee osteoarthritis, improved their grip strength, and lowered their sensitivity to pain, ScienceDaily Health reported.

The study suggests these benefits may be linked to changes in gut bacteria and the hormone GLP-1, indicating a new potential approach to managing arthritis symptoms through gut health.

Participants taking the fiber supplement had a much lower dropout rate (3.6%) compared to those assigned to physical therapy alone (21%), suggesting the supplement was easier to adhere to than exercise programs.

Knee osteoarthritis causes pain, stiffness, and difficulty with mobility by deteriorating knee joint tissues, and current treatments focus on symptom relief and maintaining function, often through medications or physical therapy.

This research points to dietary fiber supplementation as a promising additional strategy for arthritis relief, potentially helping those who find physical therapy challenging.

The findings were published in the journal Nutrients and highlight the connection between digestive system bacteria, pain processing, and muscle function.