An Introduction to Joint Health
Everyone wants to move freely without stiffness and discomfort, but achy and creaky joints are often considered to be an inevitable consequence of growing older. The good news: There are some natural ways to preserve your joints that are simple and life-enhancing in other ways, too.
Tips for Supporting Joint Health
1. Cut Back on Processed Foods and Sugar.
Or better yet, eliminate them altogether. If you eat like most Americans, most of your diet is made up of processed food products, meat, and dairy. For a multitude of reasons, these types of foods are really bad for your joints.
2. Get Plenty of Sleep.
Sleep is when the body repairs itself. At least 7-8 hours of restful sleep is necessary for optimal maintenance of body parts.
3. Manage Stress.
The modern world is saturated with stress. Continually “running from the tiger” inhibits normal repair functions in the body and allows tissues to break down.
4. Stay Active.
But not excessively so. Regular physical activity stimulates repair functions in the body and helps maintain healthy joints. Excessive physical stress, however, accelerates wear and tear.
5. Practice Yoga.
Yoga stretches ligaments and enhances joint support without increasing wear & tear. Many top athletes now include yoga as an important part of their regular workout routine.
6. Support Your Joints With Herbs and Natural Ingredients.
At the top of the list:
- Turmeric: Excess, chronic inflammation has been linked with joint and back pain, among many other health concerns. Natural compounds called curcuminoids in turmeric have been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity in several studies.
- Boswellia: Long used for promoting join comfort in India and the Arabian Peninsula, boswellia has anti-inflammatory powers and has been linked with reduced osteoarthritis pain in clinical studies.
- Eggshell membrane: A natural source of collagen and other proteins that support joint health, eggshell membrane has been shown to help ease joint pain, stiffness, and discomfort..
- Hyaluronic acid: This natural sugar helps keep the synovial fluid in joints viscous for proper lubrication, which helps fend off friction and resulting pain..
- Bromelain: A protein-digesting enzyme found naturally in pineapple, bromelain has been studied for its anti-inflammatory actions and ability to help ease symptoms associated with knee and shoulder arthritis..
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Maintaining a healthy omega-3 ratio can help reduce cartilage erosion and help thicken the synovial membrane. Both krill oil and fish oil are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, but krill oil has the advantage of providing the omega-3 fatty acids in easily absorbed phospholipid form, as opposed to the triglyceride form found in fish oil. In addition, krill provides astaxanthin – a highly potent antioxidant.
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