Your joints are involved in literally every move your body makes. As a result, they often take a beating, with wear and tear that can add up over time.
But fear not. Much can be done to keep your joints healthy as you age. Read on to learn more about preserving your joint health.
- Keep Moving
- Maintain a Joint-Healthy Diet
- Consider Other Joint-Friendly Supplements
- Hydrate to Keep Your Joints Lubricated
- Keep Your Hormones Balanced
When your knees creak and your hips ache, exercise may be the very last thing you want to do. And yet, a sedentary lifestyle is counterproductive when it comes to joint health.
The truth is that movement is like magic for your joints. It keeps your joints flexible and lubricated, and it helps to keep the muscles that support your joints strong.
Having said that, if you have joint pain that is acute or chronic, talk to your primary care doctor about being evaluated.
What you eat can have an effect on how your joints feel not just now, but also for the long term.
For instance, foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help to reduce inflammation and ease joint pain. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in seeds, nuts, and fatty fish (like salmon).
Colorful fruit and vegetables like berries, citrus, and leafy greens are packed with antioxidants that can protect your joints from oxidative damage.
Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants can also be taken in supplement form.
Glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen, and curcumin are like superheroes when it comes to protecting the cartilage found within your joints.
Glucosamine promotes cartilage repair and protects against joint inflammation.
Chondroitin protects the elasticity and strength of cartilage, while simultaneously inhibiting cartilage breakdown.
Collagen makes up about 60% of cartilage’s dry weight. As a consequence, an adequate supply of collagen is needed for cartilage health.
Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties that make it beneficial for maintaining healthy joints.
All of the above can be taken in supplement form to promote joint and cartilage heath.
Staying hydrated is important for joint health because water keeps your joints lubricated and moving smoothly.
Try to drink 6-8 glasses of water each day for healthy joints, and a healthy body overall.
With age, hormone production diminishes. Declining hormone levels can affect everything from mood to metabolism, and…you guessed it… joint health.
Following are some of the hormones that can affect the health of your joints:
- Low estrogen levels can cause joint inflammation and cartilage deterioration in both women and men.
- Low testosterone can lead to muscle and bone loss in both men and women. Testosterone is also necessary for cartilage maintenance.
- Low thyroid levels can cause joint pain in both sexes.
- Low growth hormone production can impair the body’s ability to repair damaged cartilage.
Properly supervised hormone therapy can restore these hormones to optimal levels.
Don’t Suffer in Silence with Joint Pain
A healthy diet, exercise, strategic supplementation, and hormone therapy can go a long way toward preventing joint issues.
If you already suffer from joint pain, don’t let it get the better of you. All of the above can help. For more acute cases of joint pain, physical therapy and other targeted interventions can ease pain and prevent further damage.
At Renew Youth, we’re experts when it comes to bioidentical hormone therapy and supplement recommendations, with both being targeted to your unique needs. To get started, call us at 800-859-7511 or use our easy contact form to schedule your free consultation.