Anti Aging Strategies for Preventing Arthritis

Preventing arthritis is a major component of any holistic anti aging program. Arthritis is the number one cause of disability claims in the developed world. Sadly, it frequently hits sufferers in their later years. While heredity and other uncontrollable factors impact an individual’s susceptibility to arthritis, there are still many preventative measures that can be taken early on.

Several anti aging strategies happen to also be good strategies for preventing arthritis. The earlier they are initiated, the greater the chances that you can maintain a good quality of life even once the disease is detected.

The following lifestyle tips are excellent for both staying young and for preventing arthritis. They can also help anyone with chronic illness maintain a good quality of life:

• Maintain a normal weight. Excess weight is very hard on joints, and damaged joints are at an increased risk for arthritis. Older people with hereditary forms of the disease have a better quality of life and experience less pain and inflammation than people who are significantly overweight.
• Exercise daily. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of the disease, and while it may seem counterintuitive, daily exercise is the best pain reducer and a good preventative. Exercise does not have to be vigorous to be effective in preventing arthritis. A daily walk or morning swim will do the trick.
• Avoid inflammatory foods. Certain foods promote inflammation of joints and other tissues and force the body to work harder to remove toxins, which accelerates the aging process. These foods include saturated fat, red meat, smoked and processed meats, alcohol, sugar, salt, and prepared foods that rely on preservatives and artificial coloring and flavoring.
• Take up yoga. Yoga is a 4,000-year-old physical discipline that teaches people how to breathe correctly while moving their bodies in healthful ways. Yoga is excellent for preventing arthritis because it helps to maintain joint flexibility and teaches proper posture, proper movement, and mindfulness in daily living. Yoga is often recommended for people with active arthritis to reduce inflammation and pain and to help with the mood disorders and sleeping problems that often accompany the chronic disease.
• Vitamin E. Everyone should take a daily vitamin supplement, but vitamin E is especially good for maintaining joint health and preventing arthritis. Vitamin E also promotes healing and healthy cell function, and keeps skin elastic and youthful.
• Glucosamine and Chondroitin. These two supplements are often combined into a single tablet and can be found in the vitamin aisle of any supermarket or pharmacy. Taking a daily glucosamine/chondroitine supplement is good for preventing arthritis because it provides the body with essential nutrients necessary to create joint-cushioning cartilage.

As human beings grow older, the necessity of taking excellent care of the body increases. Bad eating habits and sedentary lifestyles that could be shaken off in younger years begin to take their toll more rapidly after age 50. A 20 year old can clear the toxins and excess calories in a Big Mac a lot faster than a 58 year old can.

Most people don’t make the connection between daily diet and lifestyle issues (like exercise) and chronic diseases like arthritis, but there is a very real direct link.

Getting older doesn’t have to be painful. Start developing healthy habits today and the payoff can last for decades!

Related links:

The Aging Process – An Introduction

How To Treat Age Related Depression Naturally