How does ghee support bone and joint health?

Ghee – a clarified butter traditionally used in Indian cuisine and Ayurvedic medicine, offers potential bone and joint health benefits. It is rich in bioactive components like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K2), which collectively support bone density, joint lubrication, and inflammation reduction. Vitamin K2 is critical for calcium regulation, ensuring proper deposition in bones rather than arteries, thereby enhancing bone density and reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Similarly, vitamin D in ghee enhances calcium absorption, contributing to stronger bones.

Ghee’s conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and SCFAs, such as butyrate exhibit anti-inflammatory effects that may alleviate joint conditions like arthritis. Butyrate also supports gut health by nourishing colon cells and maintaining a balanced microbiome, indirectly aiding nutrient absorption, including essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus. These properties make ghee a potential adjunctive therapy for maintaining joint flexibility and reducing pain.

In Ayurveda, ghee is considered a "rasayana," – a rejuvenating substance, that is traditionally used to lubricate joints and enhance mobility. Modern research supports these claims, with preliminary studies suggesting anti-osteoporotic and anti-inflammatory effects. 

Ghee's unique composition of vitamins, fatty acids, and anti-inflammatory agents makes it a promising functional food for supporting bone strength and joint health. Integrating ghee as dietary and therapeutic components could complement traditional and modern modalities for managing bone and joint disorders. Further comprehensive clinical studies are necessary to fully establish ghee's role in bone and joint health.

Source: Falahatzadeh M, Najafi K, Bashti K. Prostaglandins & Other Lipid Mediators. 2024 Sep 21:106902.