A Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Nutritional Supplementation on Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Mathieu S, Soubrier M, Peirs C, Monfoulet LE, Boirie Y, Tournadre A · Nutrients

Puts the supplements side by side, which is the useful part. Curcumin (12 studies, 724 versus 714 controls) improved pain and function against placebo but not against active treatment — NSAIDs, chondroitin or paracetamol. Ginger (3 studies, 166 versus 164) improved pain only. Vitamin D improved pain and function. Omega-3 and vitamin E produced no change in symptoms.

Population

52 references, 50 of them in knee osteoarthritis, across curcumin, ginger, vitamin D, omega-3 and vitamin E

Intervention

Nutritional supplementation

Comparator

Placebo or active treatment

Limitations

Pools heterogeneous preparations under nutrient headings, and the curcumin finding — significant against placebo, not against active comparators — is the pattern that most needs a bias explanation and does not get one.