Joints: Their Importance and Necessary Supplements
Joints allow you to move in different angles. They also provide mechanical support to our bone structure. In the human body there are 205 bones that can be found connected to, at least, another bone. This connection takes place though the joints which make our physiological movements smooth and fluid.
According to their location in the body, they also provide stability and movement.
How do joints work?
To better understand their function, we will divide them up according to their level of movement.
Reduced or no movement
The joints with no movement have the greatest stability. They allow for a strong connection between the bones which makes them have little to no movement.
For example, the joints located in the cranium are joined by a fibrous tissue that impedes the movement of the adjacent bones. This allows it to protect the brain.
Reduced movement
The connective, fibrous tissue allows the bones to connect, in this case, with very reduced movement.
This type’s main function is to support the body’s weight in order to provide it with support and stability.
- For example, the tibia and the fibula are bones with limited space between them. This provides stability for the body when we are standing.
- The joints in the spinal column allow reduced movements that, when they work together, give our body the necessary flexibility to assume different postures.
With ample range of motion
These joints do not bind the bones to each other directly. There is a liquid lubricant that encloses the joint’s surface that allows this mobility.
- Joints with ample range of motion are less stable.
- The majority of them are located in the skeleton that makes up the extremities of the body (arms, legs, hands and feet) or the appendicular skeleton. Their function makes muscle growth possible around the bones.
Ligaments
A ligament is a structure formed by fibrous tissues that work to join and stabilize the bones at the joints.
Ligaments interconnect adjacent bones at a joint. So, that allows for limitless movement in natural anatomic directions. At the same time, they restrict abnormalities which keeps you from getting injured.
Cartilage
Cartilage provides movement among the bones. It acts as a shock absorber that keeps the bones from making contact with one another.
Cartilage envelops the joint capsule which is strengthened with the ligaments. These (the cartilage and ligaments) work together to join the bones at the joints.
In order to be able to talk about supplements for our joints it is important, first of all, to understand the important role the joints play in the human body,
Without them, one would not be able to move and the human body would be physically inflexible. Cartilage and ligaments are also widely related to the joints.
Wear and tear
The activities that produce a high joint impact cause this system to work constantly and, as a consequence, causes the wear of our cartilage and ligaments.
Cartilage suffers the most wear and tear. It breaks down, becomes weaker and weaker, and this causes a painful feeling due to the rubbing of the bones.
It can even end up causing the joint to lose its flexibility.
There is no reason to wait until this pain appears to start being conscious of our joint health and to take care of it daily.
However, you can prevent the breakdown and improve it by implementing healthy life habits. Watching your weight and following a balanced diet are, without a doubt, very helpful tips.
But if you really want to recuperate your joint structure, you have to provide it with supplements.
Supplements for conserving joint health
Glucosamine
One of the best supplements that exists for treating joints is glucosamine. Our body already produces this component naturally and it can be found surrounding the joints, supporting the cartilage.
As we age, our glucosamine levels decrease and this produces a gradual break in the joints. That is why it is important to take this supplement.
- It can be gotten through crustaceans, such as crabs or lobsters.
- It can also be taken as a food supplement that is sold in stores with natural products.
Chondroitin
Chondroitin’s sulfate is made of a chain of alternate sugars that help in the construction and reparation of the cartilage.
Chondroitin is generally extracted from animal cartilage.
MSM
MSM, or methyl sulfonyl methane, is a natural source of sulfur with important properties that strengthen the joint tissue and keep it in tact.
Good joint health is fundamental for our general wellbeing. Incorporate these supplements into your diet and enjoy a better quality of life.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Harrison-Muñoz S, Rojas-Briones V, Irarrázaval S. Is glucosamine effective for osteoarthritis? Medwave. 2017 Mar 15;17(Suppl1):e6867.
- Bishnoi M, Jain A, Hurkat P, Jain SK. Chondroitin sulphate: a focus on osteoarthritis. Glycoconj J. 2016 Oct;33(5):693-705.
- Butawan M, Benjamin RL, Bloomer RJ. Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and Safety of a Novel Dietary Supplement. Nutrients. 2017 Mar 16;9(3):290.
