October 12-20 Is Bone and Joint Action Week!!
It was about 7 years ago when I broke my arm at the elbow and shattered a bone in my elbow during a bad fall. Until then I had never really thought about bone or joint health. As part of the treatment process, my doctor and physical therapist had me take a vitamin D supplement to aid in the absorption of calcium and therefore help the healing process. I also had an exercise regimen to help with mobility and flexibility of the elbow joint and area surrounding the break. They told me that because of where I injured my arm there was a greater chance of developing bursitis in my elbow. I didn’t want that to look forward to, so I started looking into how to take better care of my bones and joints. I continued to take a multi-vitamin rich in vitamin D, make sure to eat foods rich in calcium, and continue to do the exercises I was given in physical therapy. So far so good!!
But regardless of injury, as we age it’s important to take care of our bones and joints. The fact of the matter is that with age, bones become more brittle and break more easily. The breakdown of joints may lead to inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Almost all elderly people suffer some sort of joint discomfort, whether it’s minor stiffness or severe arthritis.
Did You Know?
Bone and Joint Disease Facts:
- Bone and joint related conditions are the most common cause of physical disability and long-term pain worldwide
- More than half the population (54%) of Americans over the age of 18 suffer from a musculoskeletal condition
- 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men over the age of 50 will likely suffer from an osteoporosis-related fracture at some point in their life
- Musculoskeletal conditions can lead to some form of permanent disability
- 33 percent of U.S. adults now require medical care for a musculoskeletal condition
- Treatment and lost wages associated with musculoskeletal diseases, including co-morbid conditions, in the U.S. alone was estimated at $874 billion from 2009-2011
- Research funding for bone and joint disease represents less than 2 percent of the National Institutes of Health annual budget
- Without greater awareness and intervention, the global presence of bone and joint disease is predicted to dramatically increase, which will lead to even greater healthcare costs and a reduction in productivity
Tips to Keeping Healthy Bones and Joints:
- Eat a balanced diet, while increasing your calcium and vitamin D intake. Dairy products, vegetables, eggs, and salmon are great additions to your diet
- Exercise to increase circulation in your joints and to maintain a healthy weight
- Extra weight can add pressure to your joints, often causing pain and swelling
- If you have a sore joint, use an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables on the sore spot
- Tell your health care provider if your pain is improving or worsening. He or she may have better treatment options that can help
Four Seasons has many ways to help with your exercise goals. From our new Be Challenged 4 Change program and Personal Training services, to group fitness classes and our Fit Together program geared towards seniors, you’re sure to find something to keep you healthy and active.
At the Juice Bar we can help with choosing a shake or smoothie for a healthy recovery snack. We can also add the nutritional supplement ‘Get Flexible’ to any drink to refresh your joints and improve mobility.
Benefits of Get Flexible:
- Reduces inflammation & oxidative stress with natural ingredients like turmeric & ginger
- Rebuilds with cordyceps & collagen
- Lubricates with hyaluronic acid
- Promotes normal shock absorption of joints
- Green tea, quercetin, rosehips, ginger, oregano & turmeric are also naturally anti-inflammatory & rich in antioxidants
- Vitamin C helps produce collagen, which is the building block of skin, cartilage, ligaments and blood vessels
- Vitamins D, K1 & K2 promote bone health
- Omega 3s help improve heart & immune function
- Vanadium helps to build up skeletal muscle
Come visit us at the Juice Bar to learn more about our supplements and how they can help you with your nutritional goals and needs. For more information about Bone and Joint Action Week, please visit:
http://www.usbjd.org/projects/naw_op.cfm
Deanna Ford, Juice Bar Coordinator