5 Nutrients You Need For Healthy Joints
Joint inflammation and all of its uncomfortable symptoms, including swelling, stiffness, and pain can make even everyday tasks seem challenging. According to the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), nearly 54 million American have some sort of joint inflammation, including Arthritis, the leading cause of disability in the US. Thus, keeping your joint’s healthy and maintaining their mobility, is crucial to the overall quality of your life on many levels!
By nourishing and replenishing your joints with the following nutrients, you will not only be able to keep your joints healthy and protected from future damage but if you already suffer from joint issues, these powerhouse nutrients can prevent the damage from worsening.
1. Vitamin D and Calcium
When speaking of bone or joint health, vitamin D and its copartner mineral, calcium top the list. These micronutrients play a considerable role in joint health and if deficient can contribute to the development of arthritic conditions, especially as you age.
Specifically, vitamin D helps boost the absorption of calcium into your bones, promoting bone growth and repair. It has also shown promise in fighting joint inflammation by reducing the release of inflammatory compounds in your body.
2. Vitamin E
Another joint-friendly nutrient is vitamin E. This potent antioxidant has the potential to fight free radicals, which are chemicals that can cause oxidative damage to the DNA and proteins of the cells that makeup and support your joints. This damage has the potential to both initiate and exacerbate painful joint inflammation. Antioxidants like vitamin E work by scavenging these free radicals, and, in turn, protect your joints. In fact, clinical trials have shown that vitamin E equally curbs inflammation and pain in individuals with osteoarthritis just as well anti-inflammatory medications can!
Supplementing with vitamin E may be necessary because it’s an essential vitamin, which means that your body cannot manufacture it on its own. Thus, to ensure that you are getting enough of this critical antioxidant, you can supplement your diet with products like AstaMatrix®. In fact, in addition to other joint friendly nutrients, AstaMatrix® contains a special botanically-based form of vitamin E called delta-tocotrienol (derived from the annatto seeds), which is superior to its more common form, alpha-tocopherol in its total antioxidant capacity. Additionally, unlike alpha-tocopherol, delta-tocotrienol doesn’t convert into a pro-oxidant (a substance that promotes oxidation).
3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Similarly to vitamin E, Omega-3 EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) fats are referred to as essential because your body can’t make them on its own. Thus, to ensure you are getting enough Omega-3s to support your joint health, you should eat several servings of fatty fish a week. However, if eating fish isn’t your thing, then supplementing your diet with a high-quality plant-based omega-3 formula is the best way to meet your daily Omega-3 requirements.
When shopping for a supplement, you want to be sure that you select one that contains both EPA and DHA, because they are both highly coveted for their anti-inflammatory properties. Interestingly, these two essential fatty acids have also been shown to work in tandem with other antioxidant nutrients like vitamin E and others found in the AstaMatrix® to give your joints an additional layer of protection. As a bonus, Omega-3 EPA & DHA also benefit your heart, brain, eyes, skin and other body systems!
4. Natural Astaxanthin
Natural astaxanthin is part of the carotenoid family of nutrients and is an antioxidant powerhouse. In nature, you can find this pigment in orange and red fruits and vegetables, as well as the wild salmon, shrimp, and krill. It has been touted as the "king of the carotenoids" by some and has a thorough body of research supporting its many health benefits. Additionally, unlike many other popular antioxidants astaxanthin never turns pro-oxidant in your body.
So how can this nutrient specifically help your joints? Well, it's not only an antioxidant but a potent anti-inflammatory agent and pain reliever as well. Astaxanthin works similarly to non-steroid anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS), like CELEBREX, ibuprofen, naproxen, and meloxicam, by blocking the enzymes, and proteins that promote inflammation in the joints, but without the side effects! Thus, it represents a powerful weapon against joint disease, especially in those who can’t tolerate the side effects of anti-inflammatory medications.
When choosing an astaxanthin supplement, be sure you are getting natural astaxanthin (it's naturally synthesized from plants like microalgae) and not a synthetic form, as the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are not nearly the same in the latter.
5. Glucosamine and Chondroitin
A firm, rubbery tissue called cartilage covers and cushions your joints. With repeated wear and tear this cartilage can break down, leading to arthritic conditions and joint swelling, redness, and pain.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are nutritional supplements that have recently gained momentum as treatment options for osteoarthritis. Research shows that these nutrients not only act as potential protectors of joint cartilage but also as “disease-modifying agents,” meaning that they can alter the course of the disease and prevent the on-going damage to the joint cartilage.
AstaMatrix® Protects Your Joints in Multiple Ways
The nutrients in AstaMatrix® are not only sustainably-sourced exclusively from plants, but this specialized Omega-3 formulation is chocked full of three of the five top nutrients for joint health (omega-3 EPA & DHA, astaxanthin, and delta-tocotrienol). So, start reaping the benefits of this fantastic product today! Your joints will thank you!