Ways to support your joint health

Joint stiffness is an almost inevitable part of aging, but the good news is that there are many ways to support joint comfort and joint health.

What is joint stiffness?

Joint stiffness occurs when joint cartilage wears away and bone rubs against bone. Not surprisingly, this can affect your quality of life and how active and fulfilled you feel.

 

Here are some ingredients that may support joint health:

• Glucosamine
• Chondroitin
• Turmeric
• Fish Oil
• Magnesium
• Collagen
• Vitamin D

 

Glucosamine

This is a natural substance found in healthy cartilage. A supplement will provide you with the building blocks to help support cartilage wear and tear.

Note: Diabetics or the hypoglycaemic should be cautious when taking glucosamine as it is an amino sugar and if you have a shellfish allergy this supplement may not be right for you. 

 

Chondroitin 

Chondroitin is a molecule that occurs naturally in the body. It acts like a “liquid magnet”, helping to attract fluid into the joint and make it more resistant to compression and movement. Again, this is often a shellfish-based supplement, so if you have an allergy to shellfish, it may not be right for you.

Fish Oil (Omega 3)

Supports general wellbeing plus great for joint mobility and joint health.  Omega 3 essential fatty acids contained in Fish Oils support health and wellbeing.  You can either eat oily fish 3 times a week or supplement with Fish oils or even a bit of both, depending on your lifestyle.

Magnesium

Magnesium is important for uptake of calcium and is also vital to help those tight, tense muscles to relax at night. Foods rich in magnesium include dark, leafy greens, avocados, and bananas.

 

Vitamin D

Vitamin D often known as the sunshine vitamin supports calcium absorption which supports healthy bone strength and density. 

 

Collagen 

Collagen is the main protein that helps make up our ligaments, joints and muscles and provides our bodies with structural support. Collagen comes in many formats such as capsules or a powder to add to your tea or just on its own in a flavoured drink.

Turmeric

The golden girl of the spice world – TURMERIC which is considered the beautiful golden spice used in Indian cuisine and Ayurveda traditions for centuries.  Its official name is Curcuma longas.  Turmeric is a distant cousin to the Ginger root family.  Turmeric provides antioxidant support for your body’s joints.  So, include in your cooking or smoothies but if you desire a stronger fix then a supplement might be ideal.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR; Turmeric supplements usually display the quantity of Turmeric root on the front of the bottle, but the most important info can be found on the reverse side.  The most important information is how much active ingredient (or curcuminoids) the product contains.  The more active ingredient, the stronger the supplement.

Did you know?

As there is no direct blood supply to your cartilage (that is why it is white), it does take some time for supplements to have an effect. So be prepared to be patient and consistent – give them a go for at least six to eight weeks.

As there are other medical conditions that may cause joint stiffness, please consult your healthcare professions to discuss your symptoms.

Always read the label. Use only as directed. Vitamin and mineral supplements should not replace a balanced diet.