Conditions like osteoarthritis are common when you grow older. As you use your body and strain your joints, they start to wear down over time due to regular use. This is absolutely normal, but there’s a difference between naturally wearing them down due to wear and tear and overexerting yourself. Before you know it, you could start to suffer from joint pain issues and it might be so painful that it prevents you from doing your regular daily activities.
So to help you out, we’ve compiled some helpful information that will help you avoid joint problems like osteoarthritis in the future.
Consider if you’re at risk of joint pain
Take a look at your current health condition and ask yourself if you’re at risk of osteoarthritis or other joint problems. One of the most common causes is when you’re overweight. Your knees are actually the largest joint in your body because it has to hold up the entire weight of your body. It has a constant-load to carry and you’ll eventually need total knee replacement surgery if your weight in addition to your daily activities puts constant strain on your knees. This is one of the “at-risk” scenarios that need to be carefully analysed or else you’ll end up with some serious knee problems in the future.
Another risk case is when you frequently work with your knees. If you exercise a lot by doing squats or do a lot of heavy lifting at work, then it’s possible that your knees have weakened due to your job. If you kneel down a lot during work (i.e if you’re a plumber, electrician, mechanic) then you are also at increased risk of developing serious knee issues. If you feel like you’re no longer physically fit to do your job, then it’s a good time to see a doctor and have them check your joints.
Health dieting can help
Diets ultimately shape our bodies, which is why it’s important to have a regular healthy diet that will help you protect your joints. To start with, cut down on fatty and unhealthy foods to help you maintain your weight. Next, eat plenty of mineral-rich foods. You can do this by eliminating as much sugar as you can from your diet, considering that most healthy foods contain an abundance of minerals. Omega-3 is a fantastic nutrient that can help with your joints, and calcium is known to build strong bones.
You are what you eat, so make sure you take in as many good nutrients as possible in your diet. As already mentioned, this is easier to do when you’ve already cut out things such as sugar and fat from your diet. If you’re having trouble getting the right nutrients, then it’s recommended to speak to a nutritionist and have them recommend you nutrients and a diet plan that will help to support your joints.
A combination of a healthy diet and some low-impact exercises (such as a mini stepper) are usually enough to protect you from painful joints. However, if you’re suffering from pain already, then it’s a good idea to visit a therapist.