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 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 4, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Arthritis affects millions of people worldwide, and many patients are looking for natural approaches to manage their pain, stiffness, and loss of function. While there is no shortage of supplements marketed for joint health, the quality of evidence behind most of them is surprisingly thin. In my practice as a sports medicine physician , three supplements consistently rise to the top when I re

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Magnesium deficiency has been linked to worse arthritis symptoms and accelerated radiographic progression of joint disease. What makes this particularly concerning is that nearly half of Americans consume less than the recommended daily amount of magnesium from food — and this shortfall tends to worsen with age. In this post, I will review the current evidence on how magnesium affects joint h

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Ginger has been a cornerstone of culinary and traditional medicinal practices for over 5,000 years. Revered in Ayurvedic medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and ancient Egyptian healing traditions, this humble root has earned a remarkable reputation that modern science is now beginning to validate. Known for its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, ginger offers far more t

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2025 · 20 min read Watch the Full Video What Is Knee Osteoarthritis and Why Is It So Complex? Knee osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is defined by the progressive loss of cartilage within the joint. Despite its prevalence, most patients have a limited understanding of the condition and the full range of treatment options available. In my practice, I frequently encounter patients who have received incomplete o

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 12 min read Watch the Full Video Meniscus tears are among the most common knee injuries, affecting athletes and older adults alike. They can cause significant pain and disability in some people, yet in others they produce no symptoms at all. This disconnect is one of the main reasons there is so much confusion surrounding meniscus tear treatment — patients often receive conflicting advice from different providers. In this a

Medically reviewed by Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD — Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common conditions I treat in my sports medicine practice, and it is also one of the most misunderstood. Patients frequently arrive with beliefs about their diagnosis that are not only inaccurate but are actively preventing them from getting better. Misinformation about osteoarthritis can lead to unnecessary fear of movement, delayed treatment, and a l

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 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