Joint health is extremely important

Physical activity is one of the most important actions to take care of joint health, which is essential for maintaining a good quality of life as it is a fundamental part of our mobility.

Joints are points of connection between bones, and their main function is to facilitate body movements, providing elasticity and flexibility to our organism. However, over time and due to various causes, joints can wear down, leading to different joint diseases or conditions.

What can cause joint pain?

It is essential to understand the factors that can contribute to joint pain and, of course, to their subsequent wear. Among these factors, we can mention:

• Excess weight.
• Lack of physical activity.
• Activities that put extreme stress on the joints.
• Injuries caused by maintaining incorrect positions for prolonged periods.
• Metabolic diseases and rheumatic conditions.

How to keep joints healthy?

It is crucial to follow recommendations to keep joints healthy. For example, regular exercise is essential for protecting them. In this regard, there are exercises that are beneficial, but it is necessary to evaluate the best options with your doctor before starting an exercise routine.
However, some low-impact activities are good and recommended for joints. These include yoga, walking, cycling, rowing, and swimming. Additionally, lifting knees to hip height alternately and lifting arms and moving them from side to side can be beneficial.

A routine of 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise is highly recommended to maintain joint health. You can even divide this time into blocks of 10 minutes to make it easier to fit into your schedule, and once your body adapts, you can do the full 30 minutes continuously.

It is also necessary to maintain an appropriate body weight. Excess weight puts extra pressure on our joints, especially on weight-bearing joints like the ankles, knees, and hips.

For every kilogram lost, the force load on the knee when taking a step is reduced four times. Therefore, it is essential to strengthen the muscles around the joints to provide better support and, consequently, improve joint health.

3 steps you can start today to improve joint health

• Staying active is essential for joint health. Move frequently, for example, take walks on flat terrain. You can also walk to nearby places, which you usually drive to cover short distances. In other words, get out of your seat and move. This is a great recommendation for improving joint health and overall physical condition.
• Vitamin D, calcium, and of course, collagen, are nutrients that are essential for osteoarticular health. You can consult with your doctor about these nutrients to adjust them according to your specific needs.
• Quitting smoking is also important. Most people are not aware that smoking has a serious negative effect on bones and joints. In fact, smoking increases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

Joint diseases or disorders

As mentioned earlier, a joint is where two or more bones meet, such as the knee, hip, elbow, or shoulder. These joints can be damaged due to various injuries or diseases.
Bursitis is inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that protects the joint. It can be caused by improper use of the joint.

Rheumatic fever is a disease that can affect the heart, brain, skin, and joints. It can occur when streptococcal throat infections and scarlet fever are not properly treated.

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, occurs in old age, especially in people over 70. It is more common in overweight individuals and affects weight-bearing joints. Like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis cannot be cured, but it can be managed with medications and physical therapy.

Gout is another type of arthritis that occurs when uric acid crystals accumulate in a joint, causing inflammation and intense pain.

Other conditions include sprains, which occur when ligaments associated with a joint are twisted. They are more common in the ankle and wrist. There are also dislocations, which are temporary displacements of a bone from a joint due to excessive tension on the joint.

Although there are other joint conditions, it is important to note that the treatment for joint problems varies depending on their cause.

The importance of collagen for joint health

Collagen is an essential protein produced in large quantities by our bodies. It provides support, resistance, and flexibility to connective tissues, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, bones, cartilage, and more.
The skin is composed of three layers: epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. Most of the collagen is found in the dermis, and its function is to ensure the mechanical strength and firmness of this layer of the skin. Collagen is indispensable for the elasticity of tissues and their regeneration.

There are several factors that cause collagen deterioration. One of them is age because as we age, collagen synthesis decreases in the body. However, diet also plays a role, especially if it is low in proteins.

Collagen has become one of the most in-demand supplements, especially for people who want to counteract the effects of aging. This is because it is an essential component to provide structure to tissues and strengthen the osteoarticular system, providing resistance and strength.