Keeping a healthy body weight is very important in helping to prevent osteoarthritis. Consider that for every 10 pounds of excess weight, the risk of developing arthritis increases by 40 percent. By contrast, women who are overweight and lose as little as 11 pounds reduced their risk of developing knee osteoarthritis by more than 50 percent. Increased weight places an increased stress on the joints that even strong, flexible, well-balanced muscles may have trouble compensating for over time. Keep a healthy weight and you'll help your joints stay healthy as well.
The advantage of following the above principles is that it also helps you stay healthy overall! An anti-inflammatory diet, regular exercise, and keeping a healthy body weight reduce your risk of a whole host of diseases, strengthen the lung, heart and mind, and make you feel better over all! Of course, check with your doctor before making any big lifestyle changes (e.g. diet, exercise) to make sure it is healthy for you to do so, and also for guidance as to the best way for you to safely make those changes.
Some people would also benefit from supplementation to prevent osteoarthritis. Potential supplements would include glucosamine, chondroitin, cherries, ASU, MSM and others. However, a discussion of the pros and cons of each of these and other supplements is beyond the scope of this blog and can be found in previous blogs.
Concrete steps can be made to reduce your risk of developing osteoarthritis. In addition to being good for your joints, these steps generally promote overall wellness. I wish you the best of health because with good health, all things are possible.
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