Prebiotic fibers and their potential effects on knee osteoarthritis and related pain

We have reported in two large longitudinal cohort studies that high dietary fiber intake is associated with low risks of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) and worsening knee pain. These findings are supported by accumulated evidence showing that increased fiber intake or a fiber-rich diet induces weight loss and reduces inflammation, both of which are closely linked to painful knee OA. Accompanying these findings, there is growing evidence from animal models that feeding prebiotic fibers significantly attenuates arthritis-induced inflammation and reduces painful behaviors, with alteration of gut microbes. Future work is needed to elucidate the mechanisms linking prebiotics with the microbiome in knee OA, and to test if increases in dietary fiber treatment might reduce knee pain in those with OA.