By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 7 min read Watch the Full Video Glucosamine and chondroitin are among the most widely used dietary supplements for joint pain and arthritis. Walk into any pharmacy, and you will find shelves stocked with combination formulas promising relief. But despite decades of use, significant debate remains over whether these supplements actually deliver meaningful clinical benefits. A large 2018 systematic review published in the Br

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Turmeric and curcumin have been used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years. Only recently has Western medicine begun to explore the surprisingly wide range of beneficial properties attributed to curcumin, including its ability to reduce pain and inflammation. But does the evidence support these claims? In this article, we review the results of several re

Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2025 · 7 min read Watch the Full Video Omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil supplements are among the most popular over-the-counter options people reach for when dealing with arthritis and joint pain. With their well-established role in cardiovascular and kidney health, many patients ask whether these same anti-inflammatory benefits extend to symptomatic knee osteoarthritis . The short answer? The evidence is mixed — and the clinical ef

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 7 min read Watch the Full Video Collagen supplements are marketed aggressively for joint pain, stiffness, and even slowing the progression of arthritis. Walk into any supplement aisle and you will find dozens of products claiming to rebuild cartilage and reverse joint damage. But what does the clinical evidence actually show? Collagen is a structural protein found naturally throughout the body and is a key building block of

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2025 · 7 min read Watch the Full Video Collagen supplements are widely marketed for reducing joint pain, improving stiffness, and slowing the progression of arthritis. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein and a major structural component of cartilage — the tissue that cushions and protects our joints. Osteoarthritis is fundamentally a disease of cartilage loss, so the idea behind collagen supplementation is straightforward:

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Arthritis affects millions of people worldwide, and while there is no cure, there are evidence-based strategies that can meaningfully reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Two of the most powerful — and often underappreciated — pillars of arthritis management are weight loss and an anti-inflammatory diet . In this guide, I review what the research says about how much weight loss is ne

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Boswellia serrata is a remarkable herb derived from the Frankincense tree with a rich history spanning thousands of years in both Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. Its active compounds, known as boswellic acids, possess potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that have attracted increasing scientific interest in recent decades. Beyond its traditional uses, modern clinical

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 7 min read Watch the Full Video Vitamin D is widely recognized for its role in bone health, but could it also help with arthritis symptoms? As a sports medicine physician, I frequently field questions from patients with knee osteoarthritis about which supplements are worth trying. Vitamin D is one of the most popular — and the research behind it is worth understanding before you start supplementing. In this article, I revi

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video The foods you eat can have a significant impact on how you experience arthritis symptoms. Recent research has shown that diet plays a vital role in managing arthritis and its associated pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Certain foods can trigger inflammatory responses and accelerate joint damage, while others can help reduce symptoms and support long-term joint health. In this article, I wi

Written by Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD — Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician Published: March 3, 2026 | Last Updated: March 3, 2026 Maintaining muscle mass and strength becomes increasingly difficult with every passing decade. In clinical practice, I see the consequences of age-related muscle loss — known as sarcopenia — on a regular basis. Sarcopenia is not merely a cosmetic concern. It is associated with higher rates of falls, loss of independence, difficulty performing dai

Written by Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD — Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician Published: March 3, 2026 | Last Updated: March 3, 2026 Creatine monohydrate is one of the most extensively studied and effective supplements in the health and fitness world. As a sports medicine physician, I have seen firsthand how powerful creatine can be — not just for young athletes, but also for weekend warriors, senior athletes, and anyone looking to lead a healthier lifestyle. What makes creati

Written by Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD — Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician Published: March 3, 2026 | Last Updated: March 3, 2026 If you have been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis, you are likely wondering what you can do to keep it from getting worse — and whether surgery is inevitable. In my practice as a sports medicine physician, I meet patients every day who are anxious about their diagnosis and overwhelmed by conflicting advice. The good news is that there are three

Written by Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD — Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician Published: March 3, 2026 | Last Updated: March 3, 2026 Arthritis affects millions of people worldwide, and while medications and injections play an important role in treatment, nutrition is one of the most underutilized tools for managing joint pain and inflammation. In my practice as a sports medicine physician, I have treated thousands of patients with arthritis and have seen firsthand how powerful

Written by Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD — Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician Published: March 3, 2026 | Last Updated: March 3, 2026 Nocturnal leg cramps are one of the most disruptive and painful conditions that affect sleep quality, particularly in older adults. These involuntary muscle contractions strike without warning, often jolting patients awake and leaving the affected leg sore for hours afterward. In my practice, patients frequently ask what they can do to prevent th

Written by Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD — Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician Published: March 3, 2026 | Last Updated: March 3, 2026 Osteoarthritis affects millions of people worldwide, and one of the most common questions I hear from patients is whether dietary changes can meaningfully reduce joint pain. The answer, supported by a growing body of clinical evidence, is encouraging. Research now demonstrates that something as simple as eating berries on a daily basis may help r

Research shows vitamin K intake may reduce knee arthritis pain and protect cartilage. Learn about the two forms of vitamin K, the best food sources, and how this nutrient fits into a comprehensive approach to managing osteoarthritis.

Written by Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD — Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician Published: March 3, 2026 | Last Updated: March 3, 2026 Can a daily multivitamin actually slow brain aging and improve memory? According to a landmark clinical trial, the answer is yes — but the details matter. Not all vitamins produce the same cognitive benefits, and understanding which formulation was studied (and what it actually improved) is critical for making informed decisions about brain healt

Written by Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD — Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician Published: March 3, 2026 | Last Updated: March 3, 2026 Can alcohol actually worsen your arthritis symptoms and accelerate joint damage? Many patients assume that an occasional drink is harmless, but recent research reveals a clear connection between alcohol consumption and worsening arthritis—both on imaging and in daily pain levels. What may be most surprising is not simply how much you drink, but h

Written by Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD — Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician Published: March 3, 2026 | Last Updated: March 3, 2026 If you are dealing with joint pain or arthritis, chances are you have tried at least one supplement that promised relief. The supplement market is filled with options, but not all of them deliver on their claims. Some have strong clinical evidence behind them, while others fall short when put to the test in rigorous studies. In my practice as a s

Written by Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD — Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician Published: March 3, 2026 | Last Updated: March 3, 2026 Emerging research suggests that probiotics may play a meaningful role in managing arthritis symptoms—an area that many patients and even some physicians have yet to fully explore. While arthritis has traditionally been viewed as a condition limited to the joints, a growing body of scientific evidence now points to the gut microbiome as a signific