Creaking bones and hurting knee joints are the most apparent signs of aging. Once you hit 50, ailments will settle deep in your bones, and you'll struggle to do chores that you could do easily earlier. Things as simple as climbing stairs, walking your dog, or bending over to pick something will become excruciatingly painful.
Even though face lines and creases may steal most of your attention, your bone health deserves equal care, if not more. Your bone structure carries the weight of your organs and endures physical strains during mobility.
A healthy bone structure can withstand the stress that age inflicts on the bones. If you want to remain fit and self-sufficient in your 50s and beyond, you need to a) understand your body first, and b) adopt lifestyle changes (including natural joint supplements) geared toward better joint health.
What Are Bones Made Of?
The model skeletons in science labs or dental clinics are not a realistic depiction of bone matter. Contrary to popular belief, bones are not entirely rigid. The solid part is only the outer structure that’s made of cortical bone. The insides of your bone structure are made of trabecular bone, which is designed like a honey-comb. The cavities are filled with bone marrow cells that create blood and fat cells.
Bones are made of living tissues, and like other organs, they too grow, renew, and mend after age or injury. However, the ability to renew wanes with age and leads to a range of joint problems. The strength of your bones depends on the minerals it contains. Sufficient minerals enhance bone density, making them harder to crack or break. Young and fit people have a higher bone density, which is why they can survive falls and accidents. But even the mildest of impacts can leave a hairline fracture in older people because they lack bone density.
How to Maintain Joint Health?
Quit Smoking
The hazards of smoking are mostly known for the risk of lung diseases and cancer. But the use of tobacco increases the strain on your aging joints as well. Chain smokers suffer from inflammation that slows the recovery process for bones. If bones aren’t able to heal from injury, minor damages can turn into long-term disabilities.
Control Body-Weight
Overweight individuals are often putting more strain on their joints without realizing it. Your bone structure is designed to sustain a certain body mass. Any load beyond that can put your joints under a lot of pressure.
If you’re struggling with weight issues, consult a fitness trainer and start on your fitness journey. Consult a nutritionist instead of going on a diet plan yourself if you’re not sure what to avoid and what to eat. Your goal should be to gain muscle strength and lose excess fat without starving and depriving yourself of nutrition.
Take Nutrition Supplements
Go back to the part where we discuss the impact of minerals on bone strength. This is to emphasize the importance of minerals such as boron, magnesium, potassium, and iron to boost bone health, as well as nutrition supplements to cover deficiencies.
Vitamin A is essential for bone health as oxygen is for survival. It influences osteoblasts—cells that build bones—and osteoclasts—cells that break bones down. Naturally, sufficient reserves of vitamin A will also guarantee higher bone density, and consequently, a lower risk of sustaining long-term injuries.
Disclaimer: This article is purely for informational purposes. Innovative Nutrition doesn’t claim to provide medical treatments or solutions for any health conditions.