Is joint discomfort slowing you down—or worse—preventing you from things you enjoy? If so, you’re not alone—roughly 50 million adults in the U.S. have concerns about their joint health. But don’t worry, if your joints bother you when you walk, climb stairs or move a certain way, there’s plenty you can do to help them. Here are some key tips:
1. Keep Moving Along
Let’s face it, if your joints are bothering you, you aren’t going to want to exercise or move much at all. However, low-impact exercises like walking, biking and swimming actually keep your joints strong and healthy! Just thirty minutes of exercise at least five times a week will help out your joints. Remember to avoid movements that lock or strain your joints—and don’t push yourself! You can always break your daily physical activity into several short intervals if it helps.
2. Lighten The Load
People of any shape size can experience joint discomfort, but when you’re a healthy weight, you put less burden on your joints, which is better for their health. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) every extra pound you gain puts four times the stress on your knees. Yikes! Bringing down the number on the scale can help relieve that pressure. A nutritious diet and exercise program and support your efforts for a slimmer physique and stronger, healthier joints.
3. (Healthy) Fat Is Your Friend
If you’re looking to support a healthy anti-inflammatory response in your body, make healthy fats your new best friend! EPA, an Omega-3 fatty acid, and GLA, an Omega-6 fatty acid, are both known to support a healthy response to inflammation and are commonly found in fish. But if you’re not a huge fan of seafood, you can get EPA from any number of fish oil supplements.
4. Supplements For The Win
If you’re one of the millions of Americans coping with joint concerns, supplements can be a huge help! Glucosamine and chondroitin are common ingredients in joint supplements that help support joint comfort and even maintain joint function. If you prefer herbal ingredients, or a vegetarian-friendly alternative, look for products containing turmeric and tamarind seed instead. These ingredients have been used in herbal medicine for centuries, and emerging research shows that when formulated together, these ingredients can help support joint health and reduce discomfort following exercise and daily activities.^* Long story short: taking a daily joint supplement with any of these ingredients can give you the extra support you’re looking for.
^ In a randomized, double-blinded trial, 90 healthy adults took 125 mg of TamaFlex™ or placebo twice daily for 90 days. Those taking TamaFlex™ had improved (i) joint comfort, stiffness and function (WOMAC), (ii) walking speed and distance, (iii) use of stairs and (iv) range of motion in the joint. Improvements were seen as early as 2 weeks for all outcomes but joint function (as early as 1 month).
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. gredients provide a vegetarian-friendly alternative to glucosamine and chondroitin. Taking a daily joint supplement with these ingredients can give you the extra support you need.