Most of the time, when we talk about taking care of our health, we focus on the more obvious things, like our heart health. Chances are, you wouldn’t even think about taking care of your joints until they start hurting. But can our joints really impact us so much that we have to think about caring for them? Well, yes.
Joints are the places where bones meet. They allow us to move our bodies and perform everyday activities like walking, running, and lifting objects. They are important for our health and well-being as they allow us to move freely and enjoy our lives. However, joints can be injured or become damaged over time. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility.
So, here is how you can keep your joints healthy.
Have a Good Diet
Many problems in our bodies can be solved just by eating well. You must always have a balanced diet and keep yourself hydrated.
Adding foods rich in omega-3, such as salmon and flax, to your diet will keep your joints healthy. You should also include antioxidants that clear up oxidative stress in the body and reduce inflammation. You can get antioxidants from fruits and vegetables. Avocados, in particular, are a good source of antioxidants.
If diet alone isn’t fulfilling your nutritional needs and you feel joint pain despite eating well, consider supplements. Omega-3, chondroitin and Vitamin D supplements are readily available over the counter and help strengthen your joints. Supplements explicitly designed for joints, like SynovX, which contains the antioxidants hesperidin and hyaluronic acid, can also help.
For best joint health, you can also use supplements like JointXL Plus or Instaflex for effective results.
Exercise Regularly
Our joints become more susceptible to injury and pain when we don’t use them often. Unfortunately, modern jobs demand a sedentary lifestyle, so most people don’t get enough exercise, and it contributes to poor joint health when they get old.
Regular physical activity keeps your joint muscles strong. Choose aerobic exercises that work out your joint muscles, like swimming and biking. Aim for around 150 minutes of these exercises weekly, but don’t tire yourself too much. Avoid high-impact activities, though, as they can damage the cartilage in your knee and cause pain in your joints.
Watch Your Weight
Your knee and ankle joints support your entire body. The more you weigh, the more they have to bear. If you have a lot of weight, it strains your joints and cartilage, causing them to get inflamed.
Over time, the strain and inflammation get so bad that the cartilage in your bones wears away, and your bones slide against each other. This condition is called osteoarthritis, and excessive weight is a major reason people get it. So, you can keep your joints healthy by being careful with your weight.
Practice Good Posture
Incorrect posture is a leading cause of back and joint pain. While some positions feel comfortable at a particular time, they align your weight on your joints so that they get damaged. For example, putting the bulk of your weight on just one leg can cause joint issues. The weight that was supposed to be equally divided between two legs comes down to one joint, which causes deterioration.
Keeping your posture straight can help avoid joint issues. Ensure that your head, shoulders, and hips are in one straight line. When walking, divide your weight equally among both legs. If you need to pick something up from the ground, bend your knees instead of bending over.
Quit Smoking
Smoking tobacco is quite damaging to your body. We all know how it can damage the lungs and increase cancer risk. But that isn’t the extent of the health effects of smoking: it also damages your joints.
Tobacco smoke contains several inflammatory chemicals that can attack the cartilage and progressively destroy it. Two common joint conditions closely associated with smoking are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. If you want to keep your joints healthy as you age, quit smoking.
Stay Hydrated
The joints have a natural lubricant that protects them from injury and friction. This lubricant is called synovial fluid, and your body synthesizes it using water. If you keep yourself well-hydrated, your body can produce enough synovial fluid for your joints. On the other hand, when you’re dehydrated, your body removes water from the cartilage cells of your joints, decreasing flexibility and weakening them.
Conclusion
As you age, you become more susceptible to degenerative diseases. Joint diseases like osteoarthritis are prevalent in seniors. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help you avoid joint problems.
But how do you maintain that healthy lifestyle? Science tells us a good diet and exercise go a long way. Eat a balanced diet, hydrate yourself while reducing inflammatory foods and soda, and exercise! These small lifestyle changes can go a long way in keeping yourself healthy in old age.
