Joints Need TLC

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Joints Need TLC

Posted: June 1, 2006

There are things you can do every day to be good to your joints. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Take off pounds. Research has shown that losing as little as 11 pounds may cut your risk of osteoarthritis of the knee by 50 percent.

Build strong bones. Get enough calcium every day because a diet rich in this important mineral helps to keep your bones sturdy.

Reach for an orange or a glass of orange juice. Vitamin C and other antioxidants may help reduce your risk of osteoarthritis.

Know fishy facts. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in cold-water fish such as salmon and mackerel, can help keep your joints healthy. Research shows that omega-3s can reduce the pain and inflammation of stiff joints in people with arthritis.

Take your vitamins. Strong bodies (and joints, too) will benefit from bone-building calcium and vitamin K, tissue-repairing vitamin C, pain-relieving vitamin E, folic acid and more.

Enjoy a massage. Massage can relieve muscle tension and help reduce fatigue.

Soak away stress. A warm bath before bed can relieve muscle tension, ease aching joints and help you get a good night's sleep.

Turn off the TV. Watching television not only keeps you sedentary, which slows your metabolism, it also makes you prone to overeating.

Enter the no smoking zone. People who smoke have a greater risk of bone fractures than nonsmokers.

Add water. Swimming and aquatic exercises allow you to keep moving while taking a load off your joints.

Walk the talk. Walking burns calories, strengthens muscles and builds denser bones.

Sit and stand. Neither sitting nor standing all day is good for you. When possible, alternate between the two. If your job primarily involves sitting, take a break and stand up every 30 minutes or so.

Tell your doctor about joint pain. If you have signs of arthritis, see your doctor to get a full exam and diagnosis.

Source: Arthritis Foundation

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