Joints connect bones and allow for mobility and stability. Even before you feel discomfort, it’s important to take care of your joint health. As you age, taking care of your joints can help alleviate several problems that could otherwise plague you. Here is how to improve joint health as you age.
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How Aging Affects Joint Health
From as early as age 30, you begin to lose bone density and muscle mass, which can strain your joints. As you age, joint cartilage wears down and bones become painful in response to increased stress and weight.
Joints are typically cushioned by cartilage, which lines your joints into position joints. Around your joints is a lubricating fluid known as synovial fluid. As you age, the amount of synovial fluid decreases, and your joints become stiffer and less flexible. The cartilage also becomes thinner and ligaments tend to shorten and lose some flexibility. Some of these age-related changes can be due to lack of exercise, among other factors.
Common Signs of Joint Issues
Joint issues can be caused by aging tissues or an injury affecting the ligaments and tendons surrounding the joint. Here are some of the common signs of joint issues:
- Joint pain
- Swelling in the joint area
- Stiff or enlarged joints
- Numbness
- Experiencing difficulties with bending or straightening the joint
- Loss of motion
- A red and hot swelling joint
- Clicking or grinding joints
How To Protect Your Joints and Keep Them Healthy
Be proactive about protecting your joints as you age. Here are tips for improving joint health.
Exercise and Physical Activity
Physical activity is important if you want to have healthy joints. Exercise usually strengthens muscles and reduces the strain of the cartilage between the joint bones. Physical activity and exercise can help to reduce your body weight, which subsequently reduces pressure on your joints.
Diet and Nutrition
A balanced diet gives you essential nutrients for strong and healthy joints. Your diet should be high in omega-3 and vitamin D, both of which promote joint health. Foods rich in omega-3 or vitamin D include salmon, sardines, walnuts, fruits, vegetables, broccoli, and much more. Avoid foods that could do more damage to your joints than good, such as fast foods, fried food, sugary food, and alcohol.
Manage Weight
Your joints can only withstand a specific amount of weight. When you carry a lot of weight, your joints become strained and overworked. On the other hand, being underweight can deprive your joints of the necessary muscle for stability. To maintain healthy joints, you need to manage your weight with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Stop Smoking
Smoking can hurt your joints by increasing inflammation around the muscles and tissues holding your joints together. If you're a smoker and get injured, it might make it difficult for you to recover. To keep your joints healthy, you should consider giving up smoking.
Drink More Water
Drinking enough water can go a long way in keeping your joints healthy. Joint cartilage consists of water, which makes proper daily hydration important. If you lack enough water in the body, your body will draw water from other parts, which may affect your joints negatively.
Consider Supplements
Whether you’re already experiencing joint discomfort or not—it’s never too late to find relief. If you’re having trouble getting the right nutrients in your diet to support joint health, consider adding a daily supplement.
Mdrive Joint contains clinically-tested ingredients, such as UC-II and sodium hyaluronate, to support cartilage and joint functions. After you exercise, our everyday men’s supplement can provide joint relief. Maintain your health and get started with Mdrive today.