A daily dose of dietary fiber did something that six weeks of physiotherapy couldn’t. It improved handgrip strength in people with knee arthritis. It also eased knee pain and changed how participants responded to painful sensations, hinting at a strange connection between our gut and joints.
In a six-week clinical trial, researchers at the University of Nottingham tested whether a prebiotic fiber called inulin could help people with knee osteoarthritis. The supplement reduced pain, but its effects differed from those of physiotherapy in ways that caught the researchers’ attention.
Managing knee arthritis involves more than strengthening the muscles around the joint. Sometimes, a simple supplement consumed through the digestive system could affect muscle strength and pain sensitivity.
“This exciting preliminary research highlights how diet and physiotherapy can act in different ways to have benefits for people with arthritis,” said Lucy Donaldson, director of research at Arthritis UK, who wasn’t involved in the trial study.
Why scientists looked beyond the knee for arthritis relief
Knee osteoarthritis develops when cartilage and other tissues within the joint gradually break down. Cartilage normally cushions the ends of bones, allowing them to move smoothly against each other.
As these tissues deteriorate, people can experience persistent pain, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Exercise and physical therapy help strengthen the muscles supporting the knee and maintain mobility. However, following an exercise routine can be challenging when movement itself is painful. Painkillers, despite the relief, come with their own problems.
Moreover, the severity of arthritis pain does not always match the amount of damage visible in the joint because the nervous system also influences how strongly people experience pain.
This has encouraged researchers to investigate the gut microbiome, the vast community of microorganisms living in our digestive system. These microbes help regulate inflammation and produce chemicals that can influence pain.
The Nottingham researchers particularly wanted to know whether changing the activity of gut bacteria could offer another way to manage osteoarthritis symptoms.
Putting 20 grams of fiber to the test
The team conducted a randomized controlled trial called INSPIRE. Of the 136 adults with knee osteoarthritis who were randomized, 117 completed the six-week trial. Participants had an average age of approximately 68 years, and 58 percent were women.
The researchers divided them into four groups. One received 20 grams of inulin daily, another followed a digitally supported physiotherapy exercise program, a third received both treatments, and the fourth took maltodextrin, a starch used as a placebo.
Inulin is a naturally occurring dietary fiber found in foods such as chicory root, Jerusalem artichokes, onions, and garlic. Unlike ordinary digestible carbohydrates, inulin passes through the small intestine largely intact. When it reaches the large intestine, beneficial bacteria ferment it, producing compounds called short-chain fatty acids.
One of these compounds, butyrate, helps maintain the intestinal lining and can influence inflammation and biological pathways involved in pain. This makes inulin a prebiotic. Rather than introducing new bacteria into the digestive system, it provides food for bacteria already living there.
Over six weeks, the researchers assessed participants’ knee pain, sensitivity to painful pressure, grip strength, and physical performance, including their ability to rise from a chair and move around.
They also examined biological markers, including short-chain fatty acids and a gut hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
Fiber and physiotherapy helped in different ways
Both inulin and physiotherapy reduced knee pain. For instance, compared with placebo, inulin was associated with a 1.11-point reduction in pain on a 10-point scale, while physiotherapy produced a 1.55-point reduction. Both differences were statistically significant, although the study did not establish that one treatment was superior.
However, inulin also improved grip strength by an average of 4.62 kilograms compared with placebo and reduced sensitivity to pressure and repeated painful stimulation, benefits not observed with physiotherapy alone.
“This study raises the exciting possibility that a simple dietary change — adding a fiber supplement to your breakfast or yogurt — could meaningfully reduce pain and improve physical function,” Afroditi Kouraki, lead researcher and a research fellow, said.
Physiotherapy, meanwhile, improved performance in tests measuring how quickly participants could stand, walk, and sit down, and how many times they could rise from a chair in 30 seconds. Inulin did not produce these improvements.
The combination also reduced pain, but researchers could not establish whether using both treatments together offered an extra benefit.
Another difference emerged in treatment adherence. Only 3.6 percent of participants in groups without physiotherapy dropped out, compared with 21 percent of those assigned to groups involving physiotherapy.
Taking a daily supplement may be easier for some patients to maintain than following a structured exercise program.
“Our findings suggest that targeting gut health with a prebiotic supplement is a safe, well-tolerated, and effective way to reduce pain in people with knee osteoarthritis. The very low dropout rate compared to the exercise group is also encouraging from a public health perspective — people were able to fit this supplement easily into their daily lives,” Kouraki added.
A gut hormone gives an unexpected clue
Participants receiving inulin showed increased levels of butyrate and GLP-1, a hormone produced in the gut that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite.
GLP-1 is widely known because diabetes and weight loss medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy act on its biological pathway. However, inulin is not a GLP-1 drug. Instead, it may influence the body’s natural hormone production through changes in gut microbial activity.
The researchers found an association between higher GLP-1 levels and better grip strength, suggesting a possible connection between gut bacteria, hormone signaling, and muscle performance.
“The link we observed between GLP-1 and grip strength is particularly intriguing and points to a broader gut-muscle-pain axis that warrants further investigation. This could have implications not just for osteoarthritis, but for understanding how gut health influences aging and physical resilience more broadly,” Ana Valdes, one of the study authors, and a professor of Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology, said.
Could fiber become another tool against arthritis pain?
Overall, fiber could be a relatively inexpensive and accessible addition to existing arthritis treatments.
However, the trial was relatively small and lasted only six weeks. It remains unclear whether the improvements persist over time, which patients benefit most, or precisely how gut bacteria influence pain and muscle strength.
Although inulin was generally well tolerated, 23 of the 50 participants who completed an inulin-containing treatment reported minor digestive problems, including gas and bloating. These symptoms did not cause anyone to withdraw.
Since more participants dropped out of the physiotherapy groups, the researchers changed how new participants were assigned, introducing some uncertainty into the results.
Larger, longer trials will be needed to confirm the benefits and determine whether changes in butyrate and GLP-1 actually drive the improvements.

Fiber is known for keeping your gut moving, but it may help your whole body stay moving, too — at least, according to a new study.
The clinical trial conducted by researchers at the University of Nottingham found that daily fiber supplementation may offer benefits for people with osteoarthritis, helping reduce pain, improve muscle strength and even decrease the body’s sensitivity to pain.
Beyond those benefits, the researchers also found that participants who took fiber had higher levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is the hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite and has also been linked to pain regulation and muscle health.
Fortunately, trusted fiber supplements are readily available on the internet, and some are quite affordable. One popular option on Amazon is Physician’s CHOICE Fiber Gummies for GLP-1 Support, which offer a convenient, easy-to-chew format that reviewers praise.
Even better, the Physician’s CHOICE formula is currently on sale for just under $10. Over 50,000 shoppers have grabbed a bottle in the past month alone.
Physician’s CHOICE Fiber Gummies for GLP-1 Support
The raspberry lemon-flavored gummies are made with prebiotic chicory root fiber and designed to support “digestive health, regularity, and overall gut health.” Considering the new research, users might notice some whole-body benefits, too.
“Let me paint the picture: I’m on a GLP-1,” one user shared. “Everything slowed down — and I do mean everything. I got constipated once and swore on everything holy it was never happening again, so I grabbed these fiber gummies.”
The gummies are made with vegan, plant-based ingredients and totally free of sugar, artificial dyes and flavors. They’re made in a GMP-certified facility and third-party tested for safety, purity and potency. As with any new supplement, be sure to consult your physician prior to use.
Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

Sam Kepp (@samstack4) told social media that, after thirteen years as a dental hygienist, she had to dismiss a patient for the first time. The patient allegedly accused Kepp of ‘retaliation’ while cleaning her teeth.
“I was shaking like a leaf,” Kepp said of the encounter on TikTok. Kepp said this wasn’t her first encounter with the patient. The last time she cleaned her teeth, the patient allegedly called to complain about how Kepp cleaned her teeth.
“She said she didn’t like how I polished in the middle, which I scale the bottom teeth or a Cavitron, then I polish, then I finish scaling after that,” Kepp explained her process. Her patient preferred a coarse polish and alleged her teeth “felt grimy” and were “in a different color” after leaving Kepp’s service.
“So, even though she didn’t like my cleaning and she called to complain about me, she said she only wanted to see me and to let her know if I’m ever out of the office so she can reschedule with me,” Kepp alleged. Although the woman wasn’t satisfied with Kepp’s service, she still wanted to see her, much like a Texas customer who kept returning to the same lash tech after complaining. After rescheduling, the woman returned for Kepp’s next available date.
When the woman sat in Kepp’s chair, she allegedly admitted she had called and complained about her. Kepp said she knew about it and had read the note from the front desk. She claimed to be mentally prepared and ignored her patient’s remarks. “I was mentally prepared to have a harder cleaning and just try to be as kind and professional as possible,” Kepp said.
Then, her patient allegedly complained about waiting five minutes at the dental office. Kepp said she apologized immediately and said that sometimes patients have to wait. Nevertheless, she allegedly reassured the patient that she would finish the service on time.
She didn’t finish cleaning the woman’s teeth
“Then, I showed her in the mirror what calculus and plaque is, and why I polish first and showed her how easily it comes off with the polisher and how tartar doesn’t come off,” Kepp said. Nevertheless, Kepp also told her patient she would be happy to polish her teeth at the end instead of at the start. Kepp also suggested the customer book a different hygienist who polishes differently next time. The patient allegedly became upset and told Kepp to “just do it the right way” because she wanted to keep her as her hygienist. Kepp said she wouldn’t let someone less knowledgeable dictate how she does her job.
She started Cavitroning and explained to the customer why it was necessary. Kepp said she explained it to the customer “like she was a toddler” to avoid miscommunication. The customer allegedly tolerated the Cavitron until she proceeded with the lower left section.
“She’s like, ‘Is this some retaliation going on?’” Kepp removed the relief, and the patient allegedly asked if she was ‘retaliating.’ Kepp explained she wasn’t, and that her patient had buildup below her gums. She also placed her hand on the patient’s shoulder and promised she wouldn’t retaliate or hurt her.
Regardless, the patient allegedly raised her voice and said, “Well, finish up.” Kepp started with the Cavitron again, but then changed her mind. “No one’s gonna come in and treat me this way. You are not talking to me that way. You’re not gonna dictate how I do your cleaning,” Kepp said. She told her dentist about the incident, and they backed her up and dismissed the patient. Although the patient eventually returned, Kepp confirmed that a different hygienist handled her. While Kepp’s patient allegedly spoke ill of her services, she didn’t sue her, unlike this mechanic, who got a $100,000 lawsuit over an air filter change.

Sam Kepp (@samstack4) told social media that, after thirteen years as a dental hygienist, she had to dismiss a patient for the first time. The patient allegedly accused Kepp of ‘retaliation’ while cleaning her teeth.
“I was shaking like a leaf,” Kepp said of the encounter on TikTok. Kepp said this wasn’t her first encounter with the patient. The last time she cleaned her teeth, the patient allegedly called to complain about how Kepp cleaned her teeth.
“She said she didn’t like how I polished in the middle, which I scale the bottom teeth or a Cavitron, then I polish, then I finish scaling after that,” Kepp explained her process. Her patient preferred a coarse polish and alleged her teeth “felt grimy” and were “in a different color” after leaving Kepp’s service.
“So, even though she didn’t like my cleaning and she called to complain about me, she said she only wanted to see me and to let her know if I’m ever out of the office so she can reschedule with me,” Kepp alleged. Although the woman wasn’t satisfied with Kepp’s service, she still wanted to see her, much like a Texas customer who kept returning to the same lash tech after complaining. After rescheduling, the woman returned for Kepp’s next available date.
When the woman sat in Kepp’s chair, she allegedly admitted she had called and complained about her. Kepp said she knew about it and had read the note from the front desk. She claimed to be mentally prepared and ignored her patient’s remarks. “I was mentally prepared to have a harder cleaning and just try to be as kind and professional as possible,” Kepp said.
Then, her patient allegedly complained about waiting five minutes at the dental office. Kepp said she apologized immediately and said that sometimes patients have to wait. Nevertheless, she allegedly reassured the patient that she would finish the service on time.
She didn’t finish cleaning the woman’s teeth
“Then, I showed her in the mirror what calculus and plaque is, and why I polish first and showed her how easily it comes off with the polisher and how tartar doesn’t come off,” Kepp said. Nevertheless, Kepp also told her patient she would be happy to polish her teeth at the end instead of at the start. Kepp also suggested the customer book a different hygienist who polishes differently next time. The patient allegedly became upset and told Kepp to “just do it the right way” because she wanted to keep her as her hygienist. Kepp said she wouldn’t let someone less knowledgeable dictate how she does her job.
She started Cavitroning and explained to the customer why it was necessary. Kepp said she explained it to the customer “like she was a toddler” to avoid miscommunication. The customer allegedly tolerated the Cavitron until she proceeded with the lower left section.
“She’s like, ‘Is this some retaliation going on?'” Kepp removed the relief, and the patient allegedly asked if she was ‘retaliating.’ Kepp explained she wasn’t, and that her patient had buildup below her gums. She also placed her hand on the patient’s shoulder and promised she wouldn’t retaliate or hurt her.

LEBANON, Pa. —
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is warning of a potential measles exposure at a Target in Lebanon County, according to a release issued Thursday.
Video above: Headlines from WGAL News 8 Today.
Officials said a person who tested positive may have exposed others at the Target on Quentin Road in Lebanon on Oct. 23 between 5 and 8 p.m.
The DOH is urging anyone who visited that store during that time to check their vaccination status and monitor for symptoms. The department said unvaccinated individuals face the greatest risk of infection.
According to the DOH, the person who tested positive was instructed to isolate at home while contagious. The department said it cannot provide any details about the individual due to privacy concerns.
Symptoms could take weeks to appear
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the person leaves, according to the DOH.
Symptoms typically appear seven to 21 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. The department said a rash generally follows, beginning on the head or face and spreading downward.
What to do if you may have been exposed
Anyone who may have been exposed and is not vaccinated should contact their health care provider or call the department at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).
People who believe they were exposed and develop symptoms are advised to contact a provider or the hotline.
Health officials emphasized that vaccination offers the best protection against measles. Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, known as MMR, are about 97% effective at preventing the disease, according to the department.
Below: Measles cases in Pennsylvania