What is musculoskeletal inflammation, and what causes it?
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Limited but useful benefits
- Turmeric and Willow Bark: Tradition vs. Scientific Evidence
- Bromelain: Beneficial for sinus inflammation, uncertain for others
- Devil's Claw: Moderate evidence in osteoarthritis
- Ginger Supplements: Benefits not yet clear
- Thunder God Vine: Potential benefits, but serious risks
Why consulting a doctor before taking supplements is crucial
How effective are dietary supplements for musculoskeletal inflammation, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and tendinitis? Learn 7 important things about nutritional approaches...
New Delhi, December 13, 2025. Today, musculoskeletal inflammation—which includes problems affecting the joints, muscles, and tendons—is affecting people of all ages. From osteoarthritis to rheumatoid arthritis, many people seek relief through dietary supplements and alternative nutritional approaches. But are these remedies truly effective? What does scientific research say about this? Based on expert opinions, learn 7 essential facts about nutritional strategies for managing inflammation.
7 Tips: What you should know about nutritional approaches for musculoskeletal inflammation
Detailed information on this topic is available from the National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, according to which:
Some nutritional approaches, such as dietary supplements, have a long history of use for symptoms of musculoskeletal inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and tendinitis. There isn’t enough evidence to support the use of many of them for inflammatory conditions, but a few may have modest benefits.
Here are 7 things to know if you are considering using a dietary supplement for inflammation:
- There is some evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may provide a modest benefit for symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Turmeric and willow bark have been used for many years for inflammatory conditions. However, there’s only a small amount of evidence suggesting that willow bark might be helpful for chronic low-back pain and osteoarthritis, and there’s not enough evidence to support the use of turmeric.
- Bromelain, a mixture of enzymes found in the pineapple plant, may be helpful as an addition to other forms of treatment for acute nasal and sinus inflammation, but there isn’t enough evidence to show whether it’s helpful for other types of inflammation.
- There’s moderate evidence that devil’s claw, an herb native to Africa, is beneficial for osteoarthritis of the spine, hip, and knee. Devil’s claw may also have modest short-term benefits for low-back pain.
- It’s unclear whether ginger supplements are beneficial for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or joint and muscle pain.
- There’s some evidence that thunder god vine—a plant native to China, Japan, and Korea—may reduce some symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis; however, thunder god vine may be associated with serious side effects.
- Take charge of your health—talk with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. Together, you can make shared, well-informed decisions.
(This news is published for general information purposes only. The information provided should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional before making any treatment, medication, supplement, or health-related decisions.)
