Can a Low-Carb diet ease knee pain? a study investigates racial differences
NCT ID NCT04343716
First seen Aug 13, 2026 · Last updated Aug 14, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a low-carbohydrate diet (under 40 grams of carbs per day) can reduce pain and improve quality of life in women aged 65-75 with knee osteoarthritis. It specifically looks at whether the diet's effects differ between African-American and non-Hispanic white women. Participants follow the diet for 6 weeks, with meals provided, and researchers measure pain, function, mood, and blood markers of oxidative stress. The goal is to see if this dietary approach could be a personalized way to manage knee OA pain.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- low-carbohydrate diet (less than 40 grams of carbs per day) provided as prepared meals
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that a low-carb diet is a useful, non-drug way to reduce knee osteoarthritis pain, and that its benefits may vary by race, leading to more personalized dietary recommendations.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early study with only 19 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The diet is restrictive and may be hard to follow, and any pain relief might not be due to the diet alone.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Blocking knee blood vessels may offer new pain relief for severe osteoarthritis
- Which knee implant lasts longer? a Head-to-Head test
- Can cutting carbs curb knee pain? a diet trial puts it to the test
- Can virtual reality make knee pain therapy more engaging?
- Can a stem cell shot rebuild Worn-Out knees?
- Could a bent knee after surgery speed up recovery?