Although aging is inevitable, you don’t have to feel it in your bones and joints!
As we age, we begin to lose the calcium in our bones, causing them to become brittle. Over time the cartilage between our joints also starts to slowly wear away, resulting in bones rubbing against bone, which can cause swelling and pain. While the best prevention is to not do the detrimental things that cause premature bone decay in the first place, you can’t change the past. So here are some actionable items you can do NOW to help reduce aches and pains from bone loss due to aging:
- Eat enough calcium – Calcium is most commonly found in dairy products, but if you’re dairy-free you can also get your fill from dark, leafy greens like collard greens and kale, seafood such as shrimp and salmon, or by taking high-grade supplements.
- Do weight-bearing exercise – Walking, jogging, or weightlifting are activities that help rebuild new bone and support bone health.
- Get your hormone levels tested – Being low on estrogen or testosterone makes it difficult to maintain bone density. In addition, chronically high cortisol levels from stress or dietary problems can break down bone.
- Stretch every day – Simple, daily stretches get the fluid moving around your joints and can help increase flexibility and improve range of motion.
- Get chiropractic adjustments – Getting adjusted helps stimulate synovial fluid to flow between the joints; synovial fluid is to the body what oil is to a car.
- Eat an anti-inflammatory diet – Joint pain can be caused by autoimmune disorders like arthritis, so keeping inflammation at bay is key to reducing pain. Avoid processed foods, junk food, dairy, gluten, and refined sugar. Instead, opt for lots of fruits, leafy green veggies, nuts, olive oil, and fish.
If you are suffering from unnecessary bone loss or joint pain, call our office so you can have more control over how your body feels as you age!
