Abstract Purpose of Review Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability in the United States and cases of OA are expected to continue to rise over the next decade with a growing aging population. Nutritional supplements provide a non-pharmacological adjunct treatment option for patients. This review covers the current understanding of diet and nutrition supplementation and the recommendations for their use in OA treatment. Recent Findings Commonly used nutritional supplements include glucosamine and chondroitin, turmeric, ginger, omega-3 fatty acids, or various vitamins and herbal formulations. Many of these supplements work through the anti-inflammatory or inflammatory pathways within the body. Summary Although supplements may be more accessible and affordable than other options, these adjunct treatments are only conditionally recommended due to the lack of randomized controlled trials and conclusive evidence. Identifying supplements that are effective in reducing pain and improving quality of life, whether used independently or in conjunction with other modalities, remains important for patients with OA.
Lazar et al. (Thu,) studied this question.