The knee is the largest joint in the human body, comprising of four bones, four main ligaments, two main tendons, and cartilage. It supports the weight of the body and functions as a hinge, allowing lower leg movement. Crucial movements such as standing, walking, running, and squatting rely on healthy knees.
Read on to learn about the structure and function of the knee.
Does your shoulder hurt when you carry your purse? Or maybe when you try and reach for something behind your seat when in the car? If it feels stiff or even immoveable, it could be a temporary condition of the shoulder joint called frozen shoulder.
Do you deal with morning stiffness or joint discomfort?
Stiff joints can occur in the morning due to a tough workout the day before, because of joint problems you have, or simply because you’re growing older. For most people, that stiffness eases up and goes away over time, but it’s no fun to deal with for the first hour or so.
While most think of cartilage as the connective tissue in joints or the lobes of your ear, it is also found in your nose, spine, and trachea.
Cartilage is made up of proteins and water. In fact, it can be up to 80% water, but can diminish with age, when dehydrated, or when a daily diet lacks nutrients that support cartilage health.
Proteins give cartilage its shape and the properties necessary for its function in the body. Together, proteins are often referred to as a matrix, as they form a mesh or webbing.
Unless you’re in the medical field or have had a recent visit with your physical therapist or orthopedic doctor, you probably weren’t aware that you even had little structures called bursae (plural of bursa).
Bursae…what the heck are they? Let’s dig in…
Low bone mineral density (BMD) affects millions of aging Americans today. The scary part? It’s often unrealized until a bone is broken or other health issues present themselves. In fact, researchers expect related fractures to double within the next 50 years.
What’s the best way to avoid the risks of low bone mineral density? Prevention. Preserving and maximizing bone mass is essential, as well as ensuring your body is getting the nutrients it needs to support optimal bone health.
Vitamin D has many benefits, but one its primary functions is to support bone health. It’s what allows the body to absorb calcium so that bones grow strong.
Without it, people can experience soft or brittle bone tissue that puts them at risk for injury and/or disease.
It’s safe to say vitamin D is something you want in your life–it’s not hard to get, either. Despite that fact, though, many people don’t get the recommended amount of this vitamin.
Of all the joints in the body, the shoulder joint is capable of having the most range and flexibility.
In many ways, the shoulder joint is a mechanical marvel because it can move in directions no other joint can with minimal architecture.
Poor bone health is considered to be one of the biggest “silent” epidemics to the American population and across the globe. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, it is estimated that low bone mass (a.k.a. bone mineral density) is a threat to almost 44 million people in the U.S. who are over the age of 50.
While most people know that minerals like calcium and magnesium play a huge role in bone health, vitamins are key players, too. Our bodies’ bone-building and regenerating processes include a cascade of steps in which vitamins play a part in; if you’re missing a vitamin at a certain step, the process may not reach it’s full potential!
Ensuring your body is receiving (or making) adequate levels of various vitamins is vital for long-term health. Take a look at the five vitamins below to further fortify your bones.
Omega-3 fatty acids are popular nutrients these days. Sometimes, you might see omega-6 fatty acids thrown into the mix…but how are they different? And is one better than the other? Should I be consuming the same amount of each?
Let’s dig in and answer those questions…