Oral Administration of Polymer Hyaluronic Acid Alleviates Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study over a 12-Month Period

Researchers randomly assigned 40 adults with knee osteoarthritis, a wear-related joint disease, to take polymer hyaluronic acid or a placebo, a look-alike treatment without hyaluronic acid. Participants took 200 milligrams daily for 12 months. The study was double-blind, meaning neither participants nor researchers knew who received the real treatment during the trial. People taking hyaluronic acid reported less knee pain and better knee function than those taking the placebo.

What this means for you: This small study suggests oral hyaluronic acid might modestly relieve knee symptoms, but it does not show that it repairs cartilage or prevents arthritis from worsening. The evidence is not strong enough to make it a must-buy supplement.