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
Hundreds of millions of people worldwide live with knee OA, which is a major cause of chronic pain and disability, especially later in life. Treatment often involves pain medication, which can produce side effects, or exercise programs that some patients find difficult to continue over time.
