3 articles · Updated · Prevention Magazine · Aug 3
Summary
A six-week clinical trial in 117 adults with knee osteoarthritis found daily inulin prebiotic supplements produced meaningful pain reductions and improved grip strength versus placebo.
Researchers and outside experts linked the effect to gut health, saying prebiotics may influence inflammation and pain perception; inulin may also boost GLP-1 signaling tied to pain regulation and cartilage protection.
The findings do not replace standard care: experts still pointed to exercise two to three times a week and other therapies, while suggesting people first increase prebiotic-rich foods such as oats, beans, garlic and bananas.
The study was small, some participants did not finish, and the biological mechanism remains unclear, leaving larger and longer-term trials needed before prebiotics can be treated as a proven arthritis therapy.