The joints, specifically those that are hinged (shoulder and knee), are structures that are composed of bone, muscles, synovial membrane, cartilage and ligaments. These work to support weight and mobilize the human body, explains Medline Plus, the website of the United States National Library of Medicine.
A balanced diet is essential for the well-being of the body, especially to keep the joints and bones strong. When the body does not have the necessary vitamins and nutrients, both structures weaken and there is a increased risk of fractures or injuries.
As pointed out Medline Plus, Calcium is important for healthy bones, keeping them dense and strong. Likewise, it mentions that the Vitamin D plays a key role as it helps the body absorb calcium. This is why the experts at the Library recommend eating foods that provide calcium, vitamin D and protein.
How to include calcium in food?
Dairy is the largest source of calcium. Yogurts, buttermilk and cheeses are a great option to include in a balanced diet. Other foods that are sources of calcium are:
- Broccoli.
- Kale.
- Chard.
- Salmon.
- sardines
- almonds
- Sunflower seeds.
- Cooked molasses.
healthy joints
Exercise is one of the tools to prevent joint problems. Physical activity “strengthens the muscles around the joints and helps them work better,” says Medline Plus.
In case you have a joint condition, it is also the best option to treat the disease and relieve pain. It should be noted that physical activity should not involve straining the joints. “Some examples include walking, biking, and swimming. Being physically active may also delay the onset of arthritis-related disability and help people with arthritis manage other chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or obesity,” says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
For people who have arthritis, exercising may worry them, due to possible injury. To avoid this and do it safely, the CDC provides several recommendations:
- Start with little physical activity and gradually increase.
- Change activity when arthritis symptoms increase.
- Perform exercises that do not lead to straining the joints.
- Exercise in safe places.
- If you have doubts, consult a doctor to learn in depth how you can perform physical activity with this condition.
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. What’s more, this disease is an autoimmune disorder occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s tissues, according to the Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit organization dedicated to clinical practice, education and research.
This entity explains 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:
Pay attention to these signs and consult a doctor immediately. A timely and correct diagnosis will allow treatment to be started to prevent further damage to the joints. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, professionals must perform different tests to identify it.
“The inflammation in the joints in rheumatoid arthritis is soft and very different from the hard bony bumps on the finger joints that sometimes occur in osteoarthritis,” explains Michael M. Ward, who oversees rheumatoid arthritis research at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). its acronym in English).
