Joints are the points where two or more bones meet (shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, knuckles). According to the experts at Medline Plus, website of the US National Library of Medicine, joints include soft tissues such as cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.
“Cartilage is the flexible, hard, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint. Tendons are tough, flexible bands that connect muscles to bones so you can move your joints. Ligaments connect the bones of the joint to each other to keep them stable when you move”, details the Library.
It is important to have a healthy lifestyle to maintain healthy joints. Many diseases can damage them and cause chronic pain, such as arthritis.
Healthy nutrition
better with health, portal specialized in personal care, explains that it is relevant to stay hydrated. This contributes to the cartilage having good lubrication to move optimally.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine of the United States point out an approximate on the daily amount of liquid intake for people, according to their sex: about 3.7 liters for men and 2.7 liters for women. women.
Proteins are essential for strengthening the joints. “They offer us amino acids capable of generating and regenerating new tissues and strengthening existing ones. How can you get them? Vegetables can give you a wonderful dose of protein: spinach, cabbage, chia seeds, spirulina algae, chickpeas and lentils, quinoa”, highlights the website.
Vitamins A, C and D are also important. The first is characterized by being a very beneficial component to care for tissues. The second, because it is rich in antioxidants, helps combat the effects of free radicals and stimulate collagen production (essential for cartilage regeneration). The third, for its function in the formation of bones and cartilage.
They can be found in the following foods:
Vitamin A: carrot, pumpkin, peppers, tomato, melon, etc.
Vitamin C: orange or lemon juice, kiwi, etc.
Vitamin D: salmon, canned sardines, canned tuna in oil, eggs, etc.
Physical activity
Regular physical activity is another key factor in preventing or delaying joint problems. Exercise helps strengthen the muscles around the joints and helps improve their function.
At the same time, exercising has multiple benefits for physical and mental health. The World Health Organization (WHO) points them out:
- Physical activity has important benefits for the health of the heart, body and mind.
- Physical activity contributes to the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.
- Physical activity reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- Physical activity improves reasoning, learning, and judgment skills.
- Physical activity ensures the healthy growth and development of young people.
- Physical activity improves general well-being.
joint disease
Arthritis
Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect the joints and, in some people, can damage various body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels.
Furthermore, this disease is a autoimmune disorder which occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s tissues, according to the Mayo Clinic.
This non-profit entity also explained on its website that rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of the joints and causes painful swelling that can ultimately lead to bone erosion and joint deformity.
Some symptoms of this disease are: