Fit and flexible – tips for healthy joints

A twinge in the knee, a certain stiffness in the neck – the older we get, the more of us deal with sore joints. Healthy joints are crucial for to a long, fulfilling life, so they deserve our full attention!

As connecting points between the bones, the joints enable our mobility. And that’s more than just exercise – think of everyday movements such as walking, bending over or grasping objects. As soon as a joint is no longer works as it should, we notice how important healthy joints are for our quality of life.

Unfortunately, our lifestyle does not contribute to joint health. When it comes to joint degeneration, many people first think of sports or hard physical work as the cause. But actually, lack of exercise, obesity, and an unhealthy diet are more harmful! Follow these tips and information to support the long-term health of your joints.

Nutrition tips for healthy joints

Basically, your joints need the same thing as your digestive system, heart, skin, and the rest of your body: a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. In addition, choose foods with anti-inflammatory properties, because joint pain is often triggered by inflammatory diseases like arthritis. Eat these foods regularly:

• Plenty of different vegetables, so you get all the vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals your body needs

• Whole grain products

• Foods high in omega-3s, such as fatty fish and linseed oil

• Anti-inflammatory spices such as pepper, cinnamon and garlic, but especially turmeric

• Don’t forget: Drink enough water daily to boost circulation and overall metabolism!

Some foods can negatively impact joint health by fueling inflammation in the body.

• Sugar has been shown to promote inflammatory processes in the body, including arthritis and rheumatism. Sugar also makes healthy weight management more difficult – and obesity can be harmful for your joints.

• Foods high in omega-6, such as meat, dairy products and eggs, should be eaten in moderation because they block the effects of omega-3 and promote inflammation.

• Alcohol and smoking stress all of your body’s systems and inhibit healthy blood flow.

And, of course, exercise!

30 minutes of exercise a day support (almost) every vital body system, from your heart to the digestive system to your joints. Keep these tips in mind to protect your joints:

• Regular exercise, such as jogging, cycling or swimming, can help keep joints healthy by supporting circulation and promoting the regeneration of your joints. They also help strengthening the surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments which help stabilize the joints.

• Warm up sufficiently before exercise and stretch! This promotes blood circulation and protects the joints.

• The idea that certain sports can trigger joint problems is now considered outdated. However, some sports are riskier than others – playing squash, for example, can put a lot of stress on your knees. Pay attention to your body's signals and talk to your doctor if necessary.

• Use appropriate joint protection when necessary: Inline skaters, for example, should protect knees, elbows and wrists. If you experience mild knee discomfort, ask your doctor about a knee sleeve for more stability.

Want to treat your joints to something extra? Unicity Joint Mobility offers targeted nutrition with a valuable combination of collagen, turmeric and other selected plant extracts!