Arthritis dietary supplements
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Prevalence of Dietary Supplement Use in Arthritis
Dietary supplement use is very common among people with arthritis. In the United States, about 62.5% of adults with arthritis report taking at least one dietary supplement, which is higher than the general population without arthritis . This trend is seen in both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, with many patients turning to supplements as an alternative or complement to conventional treatments due to concerns about medication side effects 368.
Common Dietary Supplements for Arthritis: Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MSM
Glucosamine and chondroitin are among the most popular supplements used for joint health in arthritis, especially osteoarthritis 156. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is also commonly used. Research shows that these supplements have a low risk of interacting with common arthritis medications, but caution is still advised, especially with glucosamine, due to some reported cases of drug interactions .
When it comes to effectiveness, studies show mixed results. Some research finds that glucosamine and chondroitin provide statistically significant improvements in pain, but these effects are often small and may not be clinically meaningful for most patients . MSM also shows some benefit, but the evidence is not strong . Overall, the quality of evidence for these supplements is low, and more research is needed 35.
Natural Product Supplements: Turmeric, Fish Oil, Ginger, and Others
Many people with rheumatoid arthritis use non-vitamin, non-mineral natural product supplements. Turmeric, fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids), and ginger are among the most frequently used 2478. Turmeric, in particular, is popular for its anti-inflammatory properties, but its safety and effectiveness in arthritis need more study 24.
Fish oil supplements, which are high in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, have shown moderate evidence for reducing disease activity and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis 7910. Ginger and other spices like cinnamon and saffron have also shown some positive effects in reducing symptoms, but the evidence is limited and not consistent across all studies .
Vitamins, Minerals, and Other Dietary Approaches
Vitamin D, folate, calcium, multivitamins, and vitamin B12 are commonly used by people with rheumatoid arthritis 24. Vitamin D supplementation and dietary sodium restriction have shown some benefits in improving arthritis outcomes . Folate is often used alongside methotrexate to reduce side effects .
Other dietary approaches, such as the Mediterranean diet, have shown moderate evidence for reducing pain and improving joint function in rheumatoid arthritis 7910. Diets like gluten-free, paleo, and anti-inflammatory diets are also used by some patients, but responses are highly individualized and evidence for their effectiveness is limited 279.
Safety and Drug Interactions
Most dietary supplements used for arthritis are considered safe and do not show significant differences in safety outcomes compared to placebo, except for a few like diacerein 15. However, because many arthritis patients take multiple medications, there is a risk of supplement-drug interactions, especially if supplement use is not reported to healthcare providers 148. Health practitioners should discuss supplement use with their patients to ensure safety.
Conclusion
Dietary supplements are widely used by people with arthritis, with glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, turmeric, fish oil, and various vitamins and minerals being the most common. While some supplements and dietary approaches show modest benefits for pain and inflammation, the overall quality of evidence is low, and effects are often small or unclear. Patients should consult healthcare providers before starting supplements to avoid potential interactions and ensure safe, effective management of arthritis symptoms.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic