Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 7: New research suggests that biological markers linked to healthy dietary patterns may reduce the risk of developing knee Osteoarthritis, though much of this protective effect appears to be influenced by body weight.

Osteoarthritis is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, driven by a mix of mechanical, metabolic and inflammatory factors. While diet has long been considered important, understanding how it affects the body at a biological level has remained limited.

In a case-cohort study, researchers analysed 603 participants from the Osteoarthritis Initiative over a six-year period. Among them, 237 individuals developed radiographic knee osteoarthritis, while 366 did not.

Instead of relying only on self-reported dietary data, the study used metabolomics — analysing biochemical markers in blood samples through advanced mass spectrometry. Researchers identified 46 metabolites linked to major food groups and used statistical models to detect patterns.

Four distinct metabolomic signatures corresponding to different dietary patterns were identified. Two of these, associated with healthier diets, were linked to a lower risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. Participants in the highest groups of these patterns showed reduced odds of the disease compared to those in the lowest groups.

However, when body mass index (BMI) was taken into account, the strength of these associations reduced significantly. Further analysis indicated that up to 80 per cent of the protective effect in some cases was mediated through BMI.

The findings suggest that healthier diets may help reduce osteoarthritis risk largely by maintaining a healthy body weight, rather than solely through direct anti-inflammatory or metabolic effects. Excess weight is a known risk factor, increasing stress on joints and contributing to metabolic changes.

Researchers said the study highlights the complex relationship between diet, metabolism and joint health, and underscores the importance of weight management in preventing knee osteoarthritis.

They added that while metabolomic profiling offers a promising way to better understand diet-disease links, the observational nature of the study means it cannot establish cause and effect. Further research is needed to determine whether specific dietary interventions can reduce osteoarthritis risk independently of weight loss.