Even if you aren’t a fan of exercise and you don’t feel like joint health is important, it absolutely is critical. No matter who you are, you must move to survive and stay healthy.
Whether you need to get up to use the bathroom and take a shower without falling, or you are getting ready to run a marathon, you need to take care of your joints. The cartilage of your joints helps your bones glide over each other without rubbing or damaging each other. Healthy cartilage means your bones can move without pain or stiffness.
Some of the more basic tips on keeping your joints healthy is to get plenty of sleep, avoid injuring yourself, stay physically active, and eat a balanced diet. Not only that, but it is important for younger people to keep their joint health in mind. There are multiple forms of arthritis, and it can hit you at any age. Some of these include Osteoarthritis (most common in the elderly), Rheumatoid Arthritis (autoimmune disease), Gout (frequently in your big toe), Juvenile Arthritis (arthritis in kids), Lupus, Fibromayalgia, Psoriasis, Lyme Disease, and other certain infections.
How To Help Your Joints:
Physical Activity – Even if you already have arthritis, it is important to keep moving when possible. Children and teens need at least 1 hour of physical activity every day. It is important for them to wear protective equipment when playing certain sports. It is also important to have the correct shoes for your activity. Make sure you have the right kind of support for your feet.
For older adults with issues, remember to use a cane if you have one or to wear any protective gear such as a knee brace if you need one. Preventing more injuries is important to staying healthy with joint issues.
Healthy Diet – Many people don’t know how important diet is to the joints. If you don’t eat the right nutrients often enough, your body will have a deficiency. Sometimes, the body attacks itself to try to find those nutrients and get them into the blood to help you. If you are eating the right things, your body can digest properly and get nutrients where it needs them.
If you are overweight, you are going to put more pressure and strain on your whole body when you move. Your hips, feet, and knees will get the most stress when you weigh more. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, protein, whole grains, and lean meats. Avoid dairy products with too much fat and sugar. Avoid trans fats and fried foods. Avoid processed sweets like candy, cookies, and cakes. Also increase your intake of omega fatty acids by eating healthy foods like salmon or certain nuts.
The Bottom Line
If you take care of your joints now, they will serve you much better in the future. Everyone gets older, but not everyone has to suffer for it.
