An Egyptian Study published in 2015 looked at the effects of garlic for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Fifteen patients undertook a rehabilitation program 3 times a week that included dietary changes, electrotherapy and flexibility exercises. Twenty-eight patients took the rehabilitation program PLUS a garlic capsule every morning with breakfast (the equivalent of 9 cloves of garlic).

After 8 weeks, the following results were seen:

• Those taking garlic had significantly reduced knee pain, better quality of life and improvement in the strength of their thigh muscle.
• Liquid accumulation in the knee had improved in the group taking garlic
• When the synovial fluid (fluid in the knee joint that helps reduce friction and absorbs impact) was analysed in both groups, the selenium levels were higher in the group that took garlic
• Inflammatory substances were reduced in the synovial fluid of patients who took garlic

These findings suggest that it may be beneficial to take garlic capsules if you have osteoarthritis of the knee.