Preventing Joint Issues Later in Life

Our joints keep us mobile and allow us to perform all the actions we need to stay alive and healthy, but they can start to suffer after a number of years of disuse. Joints, like any part of the body, are subject to the strains of time, and by the time we are in our 40’s or later; our joints tend to hurt the most before anything else.

Find out how to prevent joint paint and degradation later in life by following these steps right now.

1. Calcium

Calcium is a vital nutrient that can be found in most dairy products and leafy greens, and it’s important that we have enough to keep our joints and bones properly sustained.

It’s estimated that around 32 percent of Americans don’t consume enough calcium, which experts believe should be around 1000 grams a day. Adding a few milligrams of yoghurt to your daily diet can make a huge difference to the health of your joints.

2. Weight

Being overweight can cause serious damage to your joints due to the extra pressure put on them for too long. Our joints and bone structure are designed to carry our weight naturally, but only when we’re at our correct weight.

Even a loss of 10kg can have a huge impact on the health of our joints, and greatly reduces the risk of osteoarthritis later in life.

3. Vitamin D

Up there with calcium, Vitamin D is essential to leading a healthy lifestyle. The human body is not able to synthesise the vitamin on its own, which means that it’s important to get it from other sources, such as salmon, crimini mushrooms, fortified milks, and more, although getting enough from food can prove difficult.

4. Inflammation

Inflammation is one of the leading causes of long-term joint degradation, and is a far more serious condition than most people realise. If our joints are constantly inflamed, they can start to lose their elasticity and strength, increasing the chances of developing arthritis.

One way to avoid this is by eating healthy fats that are rich in omega 3, such as fats from fish, along with a diet of nuts, whole grains, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. 

5. Drinking Water

Hydration is extremely important, not just for our joints, but for our entire body. The cartilage found in joints is made up primarily of water, and without enough water to keep that cartilage properly hydrated, it can slowly start to degrade over time and lead to a higher susceptibility of injury, especially as we get older.

Filtered water also tends to contain a range of micronutrients that are extremely beneficial to our overall health, and as much as 2 litres should be consumed every day.