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Moderate evidenceJoints & skin

ASU (Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables)

ASU at 300 mg/day meaningfully reduces pain and improves function in knee osteoarthritis across pooled placebo-controlled trials, but the same analyses show no benefit in hip OA. Claims that it slows joint structural damage failed their key long-term test.

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What the science says

  • Knee osteoarthritis symptoms Moderate evidence

    A 2019 meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials found ASU reduced VAS pain by 9.6 mm overall (95% CI -17.4 to -1.8), and in the knee subgroup by 17.4 mm along with a 2.33-point drop in the Lequesne index. Heterogeneity was high (I² 87-92%), so the precise magnitude is uncertain.

  • Hip osteoarthritis and structure modification Limited evidence

    In the same meta-analysis the hip subgroup showed no significant benefit on either VAS or Lequesne index. The 3-year ERADIAS trial in hip OA also missed its primary structural endpoint of joint space narrowing, and the 2008 meta-analysis concluded symptomatic benefit was better supported than structural claims.

  • Analgesic and NSAID sparing Moderate evidence

    Trials lasting 3-6 months consistently report reduced NSAID and rescue analgesic consumption alongside symptom improvement, which is the most practically relevant finding for people trying to limit NSAID exposure.

Dosage & safety

Studied dose300 mg/day of the standardised one-third avocado / two-thirds soybean unsaponifiable fraction (the Piascledine 300 formulation), taken with a meal. Onset is slow — allow 2 months before judging. 600 mg/day has been tested and offers no additional benefit.
SafetyAdverse events in trials are no more frequent than placebo (relative risk 1.02, 95% CI 0.83-1.25). Reported effects are mild: gastrointestinal upset, reflux, occasional headache. Regulatory note: ASU is a prescription medicine in France and several other countries and is sold as a dietary supplement in the US, so standardisation outside the prescription product varies considerably. Avoid with avocado or soy allergy. Not studied in pregnancy or breastfeeding; no established drug interactions.

How to take it

TimingOnce daily; timing does not matter.
With food?With a meal — it is a lipid fraction and absorbs better alongside fat.
Worth knowingAllow 2 months before judging it, and do not double to 600 mg: that dose was tested and added nothing.

Frequently asked questions

Does ASU (avocado soybean unsaponifiables) work for knee arthritis?

ASU has moderate evidence for knee osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis found 300 mg/day reduced pain and improved function versus placebo, and trials report less NSAID use. Heterogeneity was high, so the exact size of the benefit is uncertain.

Does ASU help hip arthritis or slow joint damage?

No clear benefit: the hip subgroup showed no significant improvement, and the 3-year ERADIAS trial of ASU in hip osteoarthritis missed its joint-space endpoint. Evidence that ASU slows structural damage is limited.

How much ASU should I take and how long until it works?

Take 300 mg/day of ASU with a meal and allow 2 months before judging it. Doubling to 600 mg/day was tested and added nothing.

Is ASU safe?

In trials, ASU side effects were no more frequent than with placebo, mostly mild stomach upset or reflux. Avoid ASU if you have an avocado or soy allergy.

Scientific references

Where to buy

Swanson Vitamins, AvoVida®, Maximum Strength, 300 mg, 60 Capsules

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