No matter your age or daily activity level, it’s vital to take care of your joints for strength, mobility and flexibility. Joints are a part of your body that can cause serious pain and health issues if they’re not cared for.
Produced naturally in healthy joint tissue, glucosamine and collagen act as building blocks for healthy joint cartilage. Glucosamine helps to produce compounds that form the joint and assist with joint repair, while collagen provides strength and structure to cartilage. Cartilage protects joints from the wear and tear caused by daily activities, sports, and general movement. When a joint is injured and as you age, your body’s natural glucosamine supply is reduced which can lead to joint deterioration.
So is there anything you can do to keep your joints healthy, or is joint pain simply inevitable? Ask yourself these questions to see if you’re making the right choices for your joints and overall wellbeing.
Am I a healthy weight?
Research shows that with every pound gained, a person puts four times more stress on their knees! Those who are overweight often have problems in the knees, hips and back – their weight-bearing joints.
Aerobic activities strengthen joints and keep your weight in check. If your joints are hurting, exercise may be the last thing you want to do, but the right exercises performed regularly can be a long-lasting way to improve flexibility and mobility. Opt for low-impact activities like swimming, walking or yoga if you’re hesitant.
Do I drink enough water?
The joints of your body depend on water to enable the blood to deliver much-needed nutrients and escort toxins away. If toxins are milling around your organs with insufficient water to transport them to your bladder via the kidney, your body will use your fat stores and joints to deposit the unwanted toxins.
Also, cartilage is anywhere from 65 to 80 percent water, so drinking enough water is important for joint health. Water provides lubrication and helps to deliver nutrients to keep cartilage healthy.
Am I moving right?
In day-to-day life, particular movements can support or weaken joints. Maintaining a good posture by sitting and standing straight protects joints from your neck to your knees. When lifting, bend at your knees rather than at your back.
Weight training helps to keep muscles and ligaments strong, but know your limits and perform the exercises correctly, as failing to do so could cause more problems long term.
How’s my nutrition?
A healthy, balanced diet is fundamental to healthy joints. Consider the foods in your diet that provide proteins, healthy fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fibre. Refrain from copious amounts of processed and high salt foods, as these cause water retention.
Incorporating key joint support ingredients through diet and supplementation can help address joint issues. Oily fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines are rich in omega 3 essential fatty acids which support healthy joints.
Ginger and turmeric both offer cells powerful antioxidant protection from free radicals. Celery supports fluid balance in joints, healthy movement, normal uric acid levels, and elimination of toxins from the body.
Copper, boron, zinc, manganese and selenium support the development of strong, healthy joint tissue. Copper also helps create proteoglycans for healthy cartilage and bones, and zinc helps collagen formation to keep tendons and ligaments strong.
Is my body aligned?
Misalignment of vertebrae in the spine can come from sleep, normal wear and tear, poor posture, toxins, illness, stress or injuries. Realignment from a chiropractor, osteopath or massage therapist may ease daily life, boost strength and vitality, improve posture, reduce pain, and prevent joint deterioration.
