A daily prebiotic fiber supplement might help ease knee arthritis pain. It could also improve physical function. This is according to a new clinical trial.
Participants who took the supplement also had stronger grip and were less sensitive to pain. The study group had fewer people drop out compared to those in a digital physiotherapy program.
A Simpler Way to Manage Knee Pain
Researchers at the University of Nottingham led the INSPIRE clinical trial. They tested inulin, a natural fiber found in chicory root and Jerusalem artichokes. Taking inulin daily significantly reduced pain for people with osteoarthritis (OA).
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Start Your News DetoxThe findings were published in the journal Nutrients. They suggest that supporting gut health could be a new way to manage this common condition. Knee OA causes chronic pain and disability, especially in older adults.
Current treatments often involve pain medication, which can have side effects. Exercise programs are also common, but some patients find them hard to stick with.
Dr. Afroditi Kouraki, the study's lead author, noted that a simple dietary change could make a big difference. Adding a fiber supplement to breakfast or yogurt might reduce pain and improve physical function.
How Fiber Affects Pain
Trillions of bacteria live in our digestive system. This is called the gut microbiome. It affects many parts of our health, including how we feel pain.
Inulin is a prebiotic. This means it feeds helpful gut bacteria. When these bacteria eat inulin, they produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Butyrate is an important SCFA. It can affect inflammation and pain pathways throughout the body.
Participants who took inulin had higher levels of butyrate. They also had more glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This gut hormone is linked to pain control and muscle health. Higher GLP-1 levels were also connected to better grip strength. Researchers believe this suggests a link between gut health and muscle function. They plan to study this further.
Inulin and Physiotherapy Both Helped
The six-week trial included 117 adults with knee OA. They were split into four groups: inulin alone, digital physiotherapy-supported exercise (PSE) alone, both treatments, or a placebo.
Both inulin and physiotherapy reduced knee pain on their own. However, only the inulin group saw improved grip strength and lower pain sensitivity. These measures show how the nervous system handles pain signals.
The inulin group also had a much lower dropout rate. Only 3.6% of those taking the supplement left the study. In contrast, 21% of the physiotherapy group dropped out. This suggests that a daily supplement might be easier for many patients to stick with than an exercise program.
Dr. Kouraki said that targeting gut health with a prebiotic supplement is safe and effective for reducing pain in knee OA. The low dropout rate is also good news for public health. People could easily fit the supplement into their daily lives.
A Gut-Muscle-Pain Connection
Professor Ana Valdes, a senior author, found the link between GLP-1 and grip strength especially interesting. She believes it points to a broader connection between the gut, muscles, and pain. This could help us understand how gut health affects aging and overall physical strength.
Professor Lucy Donaldson from Arthritis UK highlighted the severe impact of arthritis pain on quality of life. She noted that diet and physiotherapy can help people with arthritis in different ways. She emphasized the importance of a varied, healthy diet, including fiber, and regular physical activity.
