4. Discussion
obesity, Osteoarthritis, tumor necrosis, osteoarthritis, arthritis, pain, cardiovascular and neurologic diseases
OBESITY, OSTEOARTHRITIS, TUMOR NECROSIS, OSTEOARTHRITIS, ARTHRITIS, BONE DESTRUCTION, DISEASES, DEGENERATIVE ARTHRITIS
Osteoarthritis affects people of all ages, but it is more common in older individuals, affecting nearly half of adults over the age of 65. It is reported to be more prevalent in women than men and can be caused by various factors, including obesity, low mobility, and frequent intense exercise [Most degenerative arthritis trials focus on participants with Kellgren and Lawrence severity between Grade 2 and Grade 3 [Clinical research on natural product-based medicines and natural product ingredients for improving osteoarthritis is actively underway. Studies are being conducted on natural medicines that directly target specific mechanisms, such as arthritis inflammatory mechanisms (e.g., interleukin [IL-1], tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α), cartilage mechanisms (e.g., Wnt signaling pathway, cathepsin-K, MMP/ADAMTS, growth hormone inhibitors), subchondral bone destruction, and pain reduction [Most studies have focused on evaluating the efficacy of a single substance, as previously noted, and there are few clinical trials confirming the synergistic effect of multiple compounds. Except for clinical trials confirming the synergistic effects of a blend of chondroitin, glucosamine, and MSM—representative natural supplements for degenerative arthritis—no clinical trials of more than three compounds have been identified. This highlights the need for further research on the synergistic effects of multiple compounds [The main components of FP-MD are krill oil, astaxanthin, and HA, which have shown beneficial effects on joint health in both preclinical [Astaxanthin is a natural keto-carotenoid that exhibits molecular target activity in various diseases, including antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, and protective effects in cardiovascular and neurologic diseases, as well as immunostimulating effects and is mainly purified from Hyaluronic acid, isolated by Karl Meyer and John Palmer in 1934 [This 12-week intervention trial demonstrated that intake of FP-MD, a unique formulation of three synergistic ingredients (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA), astaxanthin, and lower molecular weight HA), can provide joint health benefits. The efficacy and safety profile in this study is consistent with the efficacy and safety reported in a previous study of FP-MD in a predominantly White population [Test product adherence and the occurrence of AEs are important indicators that can provide insight into the safety of raw materials in dietary supplements [As with all clinical trials, this study had several limitations. Although this study included only Korean participants, the results should be generalizable to other populations. The 12-week duration provided a reasonable time frame to assess FP-MD efficacy and safety; however, long-term studies are needed to demonstrate sustained effectiveness and provide additional safety data. Only participants with Kellgren and Lawrence Grade 1 or 2 osteoarthritis were evaluated; therefore, the effect of FP-MD on pain and physical function in individuals with moderate or severe degenerative arthritis is unknown.This randomized controlled trial demonstrated statistically significant improvements in K-VAS pain scores and K-WOMAC total and subscale scores for participants taking FP-MD compared with placebo after 12 weeks of supplementation, confirming that this functional food can effectively address joint pain, the main symptom of degenerative arthritis, and improve physical function. Based on these clinical trial results and previously reported long-term safety data, the unique formulation of FP-MD, including krill oil, astaxanthin, and HA, is suggested as a dietary supplement to potentially reduce joint pain and improve physical function in individuals with mild osteoarthritis.