The Study
Comparative Effectiveness of Nutritional Supplements in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Network Meta-Analysis
This study looked at lots of smaller experiments where people took different supplements and saw if their knee pain got better. It found that some supplements, like Boswellia, seemed to help more than others—but it didn’t prove they caused the improvement because the original studies weren’t all perfect. Think of it like guessing which ice cream flavor is best based on a bunch of surveys, some of which were a little messy.
Analysis score
Maximum 100 for a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Where the score came from
Scientists looked at 39 studies to see if common supplements like Boswellia, curcumin, and krill oil help knee pain and stiffness better than nothing.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 573 / 100
Quality score
The highest quality evidence. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses that pool randomized controlled trials, giving the most reliable summary of experimental evidence.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Yes — a 10–17 point drop on pain scales is considered meaningful for daily life, meaning many people could feel noticeably better.
- 2Boswellia reduced pain by 17 points (VAS) and improved function by 14 points (WOMAC).
- 3Krill oil improved function by 14 points.
- 4Collagen cut pain by 17 points.
- 5Curcumin cut pain by 12 points and improved function by 10 points.
- 6No supplement caused more side effects than placebo.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Nutrients
Year
2025
Authors
Yuntong Zhang, Yunfei Gui, Roger Adams, J. Farragher, C. Itsiopoulos, Keegan Bow, Ming Cai, Jia Han
Related Content
Claims (5)
In adults with knee osteoarthritis, Boswellia supplementation reduces pain and stiffness and improves joint movement compared to a placebo, with measurable improvements on standardized pain and function scales.
People with knee osteoarthritis who took curcumin supplements experienced a measurable decrease in pain and improved physical function compared to those who took a placebo, but there was no measurable change in stiffness or overall pain.
Adults with knee osteoarthritis who take krill oil experience a measurable improvement in joint function, averaging 14.01 points higher on the WOMAC scale than those taking a placebo, and krill oil is among the most effective supplements for reducing joint stiffness.
Adults with knee osteoarthritis who take collagen supplements experience a 16.65-point reduction in pain on the VAS scale compared to those taking a placebo, and show moderate improvement in joint function, but no statistically significant change in pain or stiffness as measured by WOMAC.
In adults with knee osteoarthritis, the supplements Boswellia, curcumin, krill oil, collagen, ginger, eggshell membrane, and vitamin D did not lead to more adverse events than a placebo.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.