Breaking news! Fiber is a pain killer
Knee osteoarthritis affects at least 20 million American adults age 50-plus, causing chronic pain and disability for many of them. Treatment may call for constant use of over-the-counter pain killers, repeated steroid shots, or surgery. There are more than 1.2 million total-knee replacement surgeries done annually. But what if you could reduce your knee pain simply by increasing one kind of fiber in your diet?
That's what a new study in the journal Nutrients reveals. The researchers found that your gut health affects pain sensations and sensitivity -- and upping your intake of inulin, a dietary fiber in chicory root, Jerusalem artichokes, dandelion greens, onions and leeks, asparagus and green bananas, eases them. Interestingly, it also improves your grip strength, which is linked to how your nervous system processes pain.
How does inulin fiber do that? First, it ups your natural levels of the hormone GLP-1 that impacts pain regulation and muscle health. (Yup, this hormone that's made in your small intestine is the same substance found in the new weight-loss meds.) And second, inulin can increase production in the gut of a fatty acid called butyrate, which reduces inflammation and pain pathway sensitivity throughout the body. It may also decrease blood sugar peaks, another way to reduce inflammation.
So, knee-d I say more? For recipes using these pain-easing foods, like Asparagus With Cashew Basil Aioli, check out "The What to Eat When Cookbook," and for info on how to help prevent OA or the progression of the condition, check out my free newsletter at substack.com/@michaelfroizenmd.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@4YOUngevity.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Comments