Top 5 Favorite Foods For Better Joint Health

Adam Kreitenberg, MD
6 min readMay 28, 2021

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Aging can take its toll on our joints, bones, and overall mobility. Our movements and reflexes begin to slow, we may develop more joint pain, and we tend to naturally cut back on activity. You can’t stop the aging process, but you can take preventative steps to better protect and strengthen your joints.

Preventative care involving exercise, stretching, a healthy diet, weight management, and dietary supplements can benefit your joints in several ways such as:

  • Reduced risk of arthritis
  • Maintaining mobility
  • Avoiding a sedentary lifestyle
  • Avoiding joint pain, joints giving out
  • Avoiding muscles spasms and weakness
  • Reduced disability and reliance on others

In many cases, arthritis can become debilitating. Of the millions of Americans affected by joint conditions, one in four adults report experiencing severe joint pain. Medications are available to help support joint health, but there are downsides to relying on these, such as risk of developing tolerance and unpleasant side effects associated with long-term use.

A more holistic and preventative approach to joint care is more natural and will support strength, flexibility, and mobility from within.

Top 5 Favorite Foods For Joint Health

A nutrient-rich diet is essential for the optimal function of every system within the body. If you are one of the millions living with arthritis or want to start promoting joint health, there are certain foods you can add to your diet to get the essential nutrients for the improvement and maintenance of joint flexibility and mobility.

1. Berries & Cherries

Berries such as blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries along with cherries all contain anthocyanins. Collagen is a common target for inflammation and oxidative damage, and as collagen is broken down, cartilage in the joints weakens, increasing your immobility and pain. The anthocyanins in berries and cherries neutralize the causative oxidative molecules.

Anthocyanins also protect against inflammation associated with autoimmune conditions. Cherries in particular have been associated with a significant improvement in joint discomfort and mobility. Studies have found that tart cherry juice reduces inflammatory markers associated with joint swelling to help promote healthier joint function.

2. Cruciferous Vegetables

Broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower are beneficial dietary additions for joint health. They contain a natural compound called sulforaphane which helps reduce oxidative stress to cartilage, by inhibiting the activity of enzymes that are associated with inflammation and joint swelling. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale can also support joint health, as their high antioxidant and vitamin content protects against oxidative damage.

3. Fatty Fish

Fish such as salmon and tuna are rich in essential omega-3 fatty acids that support joint health and whole body health.

Omega-3 fatty acids possess immunomodulatory properties allowing them to limit inflammation associated with autoimmune diseases to prevent attacks on healthy tissues. This helps support joint mobility by reducing swelling and discomfort, while also protecting cartilage from oxidative stress.

4. Whole Grains

Fiber is important in joint health and eating whole grains is one good way to get the fiber your joints need. Studies have found that those with high-fiber diets have lower C-reactive protein levels, which is an inflammatory marker associated with joint swelling and pain. High fiber diets also support a healthy weight which reduces physical stress on your joints.

Whole grain fiber helps produce beneficial fatty acids that help support joint health as opposed to refined grains which can trigger inflammation and joint discomfort. Whole grains like buckwheat, barley, brown rice, oatmeal, and whole wheat breads are unrefined so their nutrients are intact. You want to focus on these foods and avoid refined grains such as white rice and white bread.

5. Olive Oil

Olive oil along with other oils may not be considered food, but they are great for your joints. A simple change in the oils you use for cooking can make a big difference.

Studies have found that the oleocanthal in olive oil can help reduce joint pain in the same way as common pain-relieving medications. The difference is, olive oil achieves this naturally, without risk of side effects.

You also want to avoid certain foods to best support joint health. Red meat, fast food, alcohol, processed foods, high fructose corn syrup, and refined sugars are all associated with inflammatory responses that contribute to cartilage breakdown, joint swelling and pain.

Choosing a nutrient-rich diet that includes these joint-healthy foods, you can better protect your joints from the changes associated with aging. By adding supplemental support with clinically-studied ingredients, your joints can get additional support, nutrients, and protection from wear and tear.

MoveMD®️: Joint Health From Within

MoveMD®️ is a fast-acting joint health supplement that helps you wake up and hit the ground running. Based on the latest in joint health science, the ingredients were selected for their targeted effectiveness in reducing joint spain and protecting joint integrity from within.

AprèsFlex®️ Boswellia Serrata

Boswellia serrata is the gum resin from an Indian tree that has been used for centuries in traditional healing therapies. By inhibiting enzymes that are associated with inflammatory attacks, boswellia serrata helps promote healthier joint function and mobility for those suffering from any type of arthritis.

Zanthin®️ Natural Astaxanthin

This patented antioxidant is naturally sourced from Chilean microalgae and cleanly extracted, so you get potent antioxidant action. Zanthin®️ Natural Astaxanthin has been clinically shown to reduce oxidative damage to bring relief from back, knee, and other joint pain.

Type X.I.V. Eggshell Membrane Collagen and Type II Chicken Collagen

The combination of types, I, V, and X collagen contains the same joint compounds and proteins that are essential for healthy joint maintenance. Type II Collagen, found naturally in cartilage, is added to the mix, for further joint strength and flexibility.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid helps maintain healthy viscosity of joint synovial fluid which lubricates the joints for range of motion and flexibility. It also helps reduce oxidative damage to provide relief from stiffness and soreness.

Final Thoughts

Aging naturally causes cartilage to wear down, and as this happens shock absorption, mobility, and flexibility are reduced. Lifestyle choices such as poor diet and lack of exercise can exacerbate this deterioration and in many cases the outcome is debilitating. But, it doesn’t have to be this way. A few small changes to your diet can have a big effect on joint health. Choose joint-healthy foods and the support of MoveMD® to take back control and get moving in the direction of optimal joint health.

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Adam Kreitenberg, MD
Adam Kreitenberg, MD

Written by Adam Kreitenberg, MD

Dr. Adam Kreitenberg is dual board-certified in both rheumatology and internal medicine. Born and raised in Southern California, he attended both UCLA and USC.

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