here are few things more annoying than
the sound of a creaky door, and the groaning
of the hinges serves as an audible reminder
that they need to be replaced. This tragic
devolution is a metaphorical match to the life cycle
of your joints, which also tend to groan and stick
over time. Of course, a swap of your door hardware
can be magically accomplished with a Lowe’s gift
card and a screwdriver. Your joints? Not so much.
Short of wholesale knee, hip or shoulder
replacement, there are plenty of things you can do
to improve the suppleness and longevity of your
connective tissues, including proper hydration,
load-bearing exercise and smart supplementation.
As for the latter, smart choices are key, and through
consistent use, joint supplements can improve
flexibility, reduce pain and increase joint longevity.
Consider supplementing with these four natural
compounds, or find a product that includes one or
more of them, to avoid the perpetual protest of the
creaky doors of your physique.GLUCOSAMINE AND CHONDROITIN
These two ingredients are structural components
of cartilage, the tissue that cushions your joints.
Both are produced naturally by your body and act
as anti-inflammatory compounds, which also help
reduce collagen breakdown. Supplementation
appears to stimulate the body to make more
cartilage while reducing the pain associated
with conditions like arthritis: A six-month study
compared the effectiveness of
glucosamine and chondroitin
versus prescription drugs
to manage the pain of
knee osteoarthritis. Those
with moderate to severe
pain responded best to the
glucosamine/chondroitin
combination, with 79 percent
of participants reporting
a 20 percent or greater
reduction in pain — 9 percent
more than those taking the
prescription arthritis drug.MSM
Methylsulfonylmethane
(MSM) contains organic
sulphur, an important
building block of healthy
bones and joints. It also
aids in the production ofJoint liability
Maintaining or improving joint health is the key to longevity as an athlete.
These four ingredients are must-haves for every active woman.
immunoglobins, which boost immunity, and studies
show it to be effective against inflammation: The
journal Clinical Drug Investigation reported that
MSM was an effective pain reducer and anti-
inflammatory compound — and that its effects were
increased when used in concert with glucosamine.BOSWELLIA
In addition to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic
properties, the herb Boswellia also may help prevent
cartilage loss: A study published in the journal
Arthritis Research & Therapy found that Boswellia
slowed cartilage damage to osteoarthritic knees
after three months of continuous use. Studies
have also shown Boswellia to be useful in treating
Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid
arthritis, as well as asthma, blocking the formation
of leukotrienes, which trigger asthma symptoms.GINGER
Multiple studies have shown ginger extract to be
on par with over-the-counter medications when it
comes to pain reduction: A study in Osteoarthritis
and Cartilage found ginger to be as effective as
ibuprofen for osteoarthritic hips and knees, and
another study found it to be 40 percent more
effective for pain reduction in the knees. Like
Boswellia, ginger also suppresses leukotrienes to
induce an anti-inflammatory effect. Bonus: It is
also useful for motion sickness, nausea, migraines,
asthma and colds.GET
FLEXED
Flexify from
Native Origins
delivers all the
ingredients
covered here
and then some,
loading up
each serving
with seven
clinically tested
ingredients.
The easy-
to-swallow
tablets include
scientifically
dosed
glucosamine,
chondroitin,
MSM, vitamin
D3, ginger,
Boswellia and
turmeric.By Eric Velazquez, CSCS boost JOINT HEALTH
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