How to Prevent Arthritis

Drink plenty of water., Consume superfruits., Increase your calcium intake., Increase your vitamin intake., Maintain your weight., Exercise regularly with both cardiovascular and light weightlifting exercises., Practice yoga or simple stretching...

12 Steps 4 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Drink plenty of water.

    Cartilage in your joints works as shock absorbers and osteoarthritis leads to the deterioration of that cartilage.

    Since this material is made up of 70 percent water, you can improve the health of it by always drinking at least 64 oz. (1.9 l) of water per day.
  2. Step 2: Consume superfruits.

    Superfruits, which mostly refer to deep-colored berries and other richly colored fruits, contain high amounts of antioxidants (substances that protect your cells from the effects of free radicals).

    Free radicals are considered harmful compounds which can damage your cells and possibly cause certain diseases.

    Many studies have suggested that a high-antioxidant diet lowers the risk of heart disease, cancer, and osteoarthritis.

    Coffee, tea and soda may contain water, but also act as a diuretic, encouraging your body to expel fluids more quickly, before they have had time to adequately hydrate your body.

    Do not replace water with these beverages. , Make sure you have a diet rich in dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt.

    If you are lactose intolerant, supplement your diet with non-dairy foods that are rich in calcium, like broccoli, salmon, spinach, black beans, peanuts, almonds, tofu, sardines and sesame seeds. , Vitamins C and D have been shown to support healthy joints.

    Vitamin D specifically may prevent onset of rheumatoid arthritis.Unfortunately, people who do not get direct sunlight or live in northern climates may be at risk for vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency.

    Vitamin D helps calcium to be absorbed into the body and bones.

    You can also eat foods rich in vitamin D, like salmon, tuna, fortified orange juice or milk, yogurt, eggs and beef.

    Ask your doctor before taking any dietary supplements.

    Overdosing on supplements can put you at risk for other ailments. , Increased weight on the load-bearing joints like knees, ankles and hips makes you highly susceptible to osteoarthritis.Luckily, losing weight cuts the risk of arthritis.

    Studies have shown that obesity also hurts the renewal process cartilage.

    When damaged cartilage is not replaced quickly enough by new cartilage, it leads to the onset of osteoporosis. , Not only can exercise reduce your weight, but it keeps your muscles strong and your joints flexible.

    A sedentary lifestyle leaves you far more susceptible to arthritis as you age.

    Try to exercise at least 20 minutes for three days a week if exercise is vigorous, or 30 minutes of moderate exercise for five days a week.Anything else is considered insufficient against protecting against early onset arthritis.

    Choose your exercise carefully.

    Heavy weightlifting and repetitive motions like running can cause undue stress on your joints and increase the likelihood that you will get osteoarthritis.Make sure that you are incorporating low-impact exercise like swimming, biking, elliptical use or Pilates into your routine.

    Ensure you have proper footwear when you walk or do other low-impact activities.

    Whenever possible, choose asphalt or natural ground over concrete. , These exercises strengthen the muscles around joints.When these muscles are strong, they lift some of the weight burden from the joint.

    Stretching also improves and maintains range of motion as you get older. , Repetitive injuries, such as ankle sprains can lead to arthritis in the nearby joints in later years.Make sure you give the joint time to heal properly and train with a physical therapist after serious injuries. , Work, sports and other activities can often include harmful repetitive motions.

    These motions can lead to micro trauma in surrounding joint tissue, which can then lead to osteoarthritis.

    Pay attention to your biomechanics, such as posture in your daily routine.

    Improper knee bending, squatting, bending over and kneeling can cause the repetitive stress and micro trauma.

    The younger you are when you fix your posture, the more healthy your joints will be.

    Sitting still for long periods of time is considered similar to a repetitive motion because it causes more stress on your joints and spine.

    Stand up every 30 minutes, if you work at a desk job. , Arthritis patients who quit smoking see an improvement in how many joints that hurt, as well as the level of pain they experience., This habit is similar to smoking as it weakens vitamin absorption and bone structure.
  3. Step 3: Increase your calcium intake.

  4. Step 4: Increase your vitamin intake.

  5. Step 5: Maintain your weight.

  6. Step 6: Exercise regularly with both cardiovascular and light weightlifting exercises.

  7. Step 7: Practice yoga or simple stretching.

  8. Step 8: Treat injuries adequately.

  9. Step 9: Reduce repetitive motions in your daily life.

  10. Step 10: Quit smoking

  11. Step 11: as it weakens bone health and structure.

  12. Step 12: Avoid excess alcohol consumption.

Detailed Guide

Cartilage in your joints works as shock absorbers and osteoarthritis leads to the deterioration of that cartilage.

Since this material is made up of 70 percent water, you can improve the health of it by always drinking at least 64 oz. (1.9 l) of water per day.

Superfruits, which mostly refer to deep-colored berries and other richly colored fruits, contain high amounts of antioxidants (substances that protect your cells from the effects of free radicals).

Free radicals are considered harmful compounds which can damage your cells and possibly cause certain diseases.

Many studies have suggested that a high-antioxidant diet lowers the risk of heart disease, cancer, and osteoarthritis.

Coffee, tea and soda may contain water, but also act as a diuretic, encouraging your body to expel fluids more quickly, before they have had time to adequately hydrate your body.

Do not replace water with these beverages. , Make sure you have a diet rich in dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt.

If you are lactose intolerant, supplement your diet with non-dairy foods that are rich in calcium, like broccoli, salmon, spinach, black beans, peanuts, almonds, tofu, sardines and sesame seeds. , Vitamins C and D have been shown to support healthy joints.

Vitamin D specifically may prevent onset of rheumatoid arthritis.Unfortunately, people who do not get direct sunlight or live in northern climates may be at risk for vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency.

Vitamin D helps calcium to be absorbed into the body and bones.

You can also eat foods rich in vitamin D, like salmon, tuna, fortified orange juice or milk, yogurt, eggs and beef.

Ask your doctor before taking any dietary supplements.

Overdosing on supplements can put you at risk for other ailments. , Increased weight on the load-bearing joints like knees, ankles and hips makes you highly susceptible to osteoarthritis.Luckily, losing weight cuts the risk of arthritis.

Studies have shown that obesity also hurts the renewal process cartilage.

When damaged cartilage is not replaced quickly enough by new cartilage, it leads to the onset of osteoporosis. , Not only can exercise reduce your weight, but it keeps your muscles strong and your joints flexible.

A sedentary lifestyle leaves you far more susceptible to arthritis as you age.

Try to exercise at least 20 minutes for three days a week if exercise is vigorous, or 30 minutes of moderate exercise for five days a week.Anything else is considered insufficient against protecting against early onset arthritis.

Choose your exercise carefully.

Heavy weightlifting and repetitive motions like running can cause undue stress on your joints and increase the likelihood that you will get osteoarthritis.Make sure that you are incorporating low-impact exercise like swimming, biking, elliptical use or Pilates into your routine.

Ensure you have proper footwear when you walk or do other low-impact activities.

Whenever possible, choose asphalt or natural ground over concrete. , These exercises strengthen the muscles around joints.When these muscles are strong, they lift some of the weight burden from the joint.

Stretching also improves and maintains range of motion as you get older. , Repetitive injuries, such as ankle sprains can lead to arthritis in the nearby joints in later years.Make sure you give the joint time to heal properly and train with a physical therapist after serious injuries. , Work, sports and other activities can often include harmful repetitive motions.

These motions can lead to micro trauma in surrounding joint tissue, which can then lead to osteoarthritis.

Pay attention to your biomechanics, such as posture in your daily routine.

Improper knee bending, squatting, bending over and kneeling can cause the repetitive stress and micro trauma.

The younger you are when you fix your posture, the more healthy your joints will be.

Sitting still for long periods of time is considered similar to a repetitive motion because it causes more stress on your joints and spine.

Stand up every 30 minutes, if you work at a desk job. , Arthritis patients who quit smoking see an improvement in how many joints that hurt, as well as the level of pain they experience., This habit is similar to smoking as it weakens vitamin absorption and bone structure.

About the Author

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Frances Hernandez

Enthusiastic about teaching practical skills techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.

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