Winter can be a real pain—literally. The chilly winds seep into our bodies, making our shoulders, knees, and ankles more painful. Here’s how to protect your joint health during winter.
Degenerative arthritis is often considered an inevitable condition as we age. However, severe symptoms can affect not just physical health but also mental well-being.
The pain often worsens in winter as temperatures drop. The cold causes our muscles and blood vessels to tighten, worsening the symptoms. Many people struggle to sleep at night due to aching knees and joints. Additionally, slip-and-fall accidents on icy roads threaten joint health during this season.
Just like your skin, your joints are sensitive to temperature changes. Layering thin clothes, knee blankets, or bands around joints can help maintain warmth. Warm compresses and half-body baths can also promote blood circulation and alleviate pain.
Lack of activity can lead to stiff joints, weak muscles, and worsened joint pain. Reduced physical balance increases the risk of falls, while weight gain adds strain on the joints. Even if you can’t face the outdoors, there are many exercises you can do indoors, such as walking in place or leg lifts while sitting.
Load up on calcium-rich foods like broccoli, milk, and salmon to give your joints some love. If you find it challenging to prepare a balanced diet, functional supplements that replenish cartilage components can be a good alternative. Remember, once cartilage is damaged, it doesn’t bounce back and tends to wear down as we age. For the best results, look for supplements that combine multiple ingredients to support overall joint health.
Your cartilage is like a superhero team, with each member playing a crucial role. There’s chondroitin for elasticity, keratan sulfate for cell regulation, and hyaluronic acid to keep things running smoothly. These components work together to keep your joints in tip-top shape.
Here’s a not-so-fun fact: those ultra-processed foods we all love to indulge in? They might be causing more harm than just expanding our waistlines.
University of California, San Francisco, researchers presented their findings at the Radiological Society of North America’s (RSNA) annual meeting. Their study revealed that ultra-processed foods might contribute to knee osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, occurs when the protective cartilage layer at the ends of our bones wears down.
The study analyzed data from 666 people at risk of osteoarthritis who have not yet developed symptoms. The participants, who averaged 60 years old and had a BMI of 27 (indicating overweight), consumed diets consisting of approximately 40% ultra-processed foods over the past year.
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