Supplements for Bone and Joint Health

If you think that weak bones are a problem for the old age, perhaps you’re right! It is true that women over the age of 65 and men over 70 years are most vulnerable to osteoporosis which slows down the body’s ability to replace the old bone with new, causing them to become weak, brittle, and susceptible to fracture. But what you might not know is, while it is extremely hard to reverse the disease once it sets in, there is a lot you can do early on in life to prevent its onset and keep your bones strong and healthy. Ensuring the health of your bones since as early as childhood also helps to reduce the risk of developing painful joints with age and delay the potential onset of arthritis.

The best way to protect your bone and joint health as well as support your body in recovering from a bone injury, fracture or joint pain is eating a nutrient-rich diet. Deficiency of essential nutrients and minerals in your diet can decrease the rate of bone formation and increase bone loss; whilst making your bones and joints weak as you grow older.

Here is a list of some nutrients that your body needs to support strong bones and healthy joints:

1. Calcium

It’s no surprise that calcium is the most vital mineral for bone and joint health, considering it is the main structural component of the skeleton. This is the reason why consuming calcium-rich foods or supplements such as GNC Calcium Citrate can help support the new bone formation and improve bone density and strength. Adults need at least 600 mg of calcium each day.

2. Vitamin D (especially D3)

For the body to absorb bone-boosting calcium, Vitamin D is essential. Boosting the consumption of this fat-soluble vitamin through foods, or supplements such as GNC Vitamin D-3, or simply by letting yourself out in the sun for some time is an effective way to prevent bones from becoming soft, thin and brittle, and assist their healing in case of a fracture. Adults need at least 600 -800 IU of vitamin D daily.

3. Magnesium

According to research, your body cannot even use calcium without magnesium as their metabolism is closely related. This mineral aids in transporting calcium in the body as well as converting Vitamin D into its active form. A supplement such as GNC Calcium Plus 1000 with Magnesium and Vitamin D3 can be great for building and maintaining strong and healthy bones as it has all the three nutrients.

Other nutrients that can support bone and joint health include Vitamin C as it helps your body make collagen, a protein responsible for the mechanical strength of bone. Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce swelling in case of a bone injury or joint pain.

Iron is also vital to help your body rebuild bone and promote fast recovery after fracture.

Glucosamine, found in supplements like GNC Triflex Fast Acting Tab, plays a crucial role in enhancing your body’s ability to regenerate cartilage and lubricate joints; thus supporting joint health.

Bones not only provide structure to your body but also improve your posture to make you look and feel youthful. So, do the best you can to keep them strong and healthy!