People might not think of their joints when they think of food, but eating the right food is very important for one’s health. Eating healthy foods helps your joints stay healthy and strong. Strong bones are essential in preventing osteoporosis, a disease in which bones become weak and brittle. Osteoporosis is a major cause of bone fractures, especially after menopause. It’s also associated with an increased risk for heart disease and certain types of cancer.
If you have chronic or acute joint pain currently please consult an orthopedic doctor to discuss treatment options as diet is great for supplementing joint pain recovery and shouldn’t be relied on solely if you have reached this point.
The following foods will help develop strong and healthy joints.
Oysters
Oysters are a great source of protein and minerals, and they’re also a low-calorie food. It provides vitamins and minerals that help keep joints strong.
Salmon
Salmon is full of omega-3 fatty acids that help keep one’s joints strong. It’s a great source of protein and minerals, and it also contains vitamins B12 and B6.
Spinach
It is a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help strengthen bone joints. It contains a lot of calcium and vitamin K, good for bone health.
Broccoli
This food is high in vitamin C and many other nutrients that can help keep one’s joints healthy. It’s also a great source of fiber for kids and adults, which will help one feel full faster, so one is less likely to overeat.
Flaxseed
It contains omega-3 fatty acids that may reduce inflammation in the body and protect against joint pain caused by osteoarthritis and improve flexibility and mobility in the joints.
Oranges
Oranges are a great source of vitamin C and other nutrients that will help support bone joints.
Asparagus
This food is a great source of vitamin K, which plays a crucial role in bone health. It’s also high in fiber, and it can help reduce inflammation in the body.
Cherries
Cherries are rich in anti-inflammatory compounds that can help protect against joint pain and stiffness and relieve itchy skin caused by arthritis.
Apricots
These fruits contain a lot of vitamin C and other nutrients that will help support bone joints. They’re also high in fiber.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and lycopene, which are beneficial for joint health. Lycopene may also protect against heart disease.
Garlic
Garlic is beneficial for joint health, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also high in antioxidants and may help prevent heart disease by lowering cholesterol and triglycerides.
Chestnuts
These nuts contain a lot of vitamin C and other nutrients that will support the joints as age advances.
Tuna Fish
Tuna is high in protein, which is important for building muscle mass. It’s also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to help prevent joint inflammation.
Carrots
These crunchy veggies are rich in vitamin C, which helps keep bone and joints strong and healthy.
Quit smoking
This may be the best thing one can do to help their joints. Smoking is a major cause of joint pain and inflammation, and it can lead to other health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer. It’s important to quit smoking for one’s health and their family’s health.
Smoking affects the flow of blood and oxygen to the joints. Smoking makes one more likely to get other diseases that affect the joints, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Quitting smoking can help relieve joint pain and inflammation, so it’s important to do all one can to stop smoking.
Avoid drinking alcohol excessively
Alcohol can be a joint-destroying substance. Drinking too much alcohol can damage the joints and make exercising harder.
Alcohol interferes with the way the body uses vitamins and minerals. When one drinks alcohol, their body needs more of some nutrients than usual, so they may not get enough of other nutrients. If a person drinks too much alcohol, it may even lower vitamin B12 levels, which are essential for building strong bones and joints.
Alcohol can also cause problems with the liver, which is important for breaking down and getting rid of other harmful chemicals. Drinking too much alcohol can damage one’s liver.
Additionally, some medicines can weaken the muscles, bones and joints, especially medicines that act on the nervous system.
Any medicine that affects how much calcium is in the blood may also increase the chance of having osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. If a medicine does this, it’s called a calcium-channel blocker.
Conclusion
Taking foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, such as dairy products and oily fish, can help build strong joints.
Calcium is essential for healthy bones and teeth. If an individual has osteoporosis or arthritis, they may need more calcium. Calcium is found in dairy products and other foods such as broccoli, kale and almonds. If needed, one can also get calcium from food supplements but shouldn’t take more than the recommended amount of calcium without discussing it with a doctor first.
