The Top 10 Posts of 2019

Today is the last Friday of 2019 and, if you’ve been a part of the Flex Fam for some time, you know that Fridays are a special day of the week for us.

Each Friday–which we’ve dubbed Flex Friday–we strive to publish an article with actionable tools, helpful tips, or background knowledge on topics relating to health from your joints to your immune system.

This year, we did a pretty good job. We published 50 articles!

We looked at the stats and compiled the top 10 posts of 2019.  Let the countdown begin…

 

#10  Joint Knowledge: The Shoulder

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.

Despite its “minimalist” parts, the shoulder is very complex when it comes to function.

In this article, we’ve included the proper scientific names of structures of the shoulder, but we’ll use the common names–like “shoulder blade” rather than “scapula”–throughout just to make things simple! We’ve also tried to use bullet points to make skimming easier if you’re just wanting a quick overview!

Without further ado, let’s learn about the shoulder…

 

#9  Two Simple Exercises for Weak Knees

Most people have a “weak in the knees” moment at some point in their life – the day they meet the love of their life, their wedding day, the day their child is born. But in general, weak knees aren’t a good thing. In fact, they leave you susceptible to injury and pain.

So, what can you do to strengthen your knees?

Get ready for a surprise…try addressing your glutes! (That is, your butt muscles).

Try these two exercises today!

 

#8  The Most Important Factor When Choosing a Supplement…

When shopping for supplements, you’re likely to come across terms like “digestion” and “absorption” and, chances are, you know what they mean as they relate to nutrition.

There’s another term you might encounter: bioavailability.

Frequently used pharmacology and nutritional science, bioavailability is a term that has a knack for stumping consumers.  Is it just a fancier way of saying “absorption?”

We did the heavy lifting and deciphering of scientific definitions for you, let’s take a look.

 

#7  What are Krill?

Krill oil is a newer supplement to the market.  Some believe it to be just another type of fish that can produce oil for supplementation…but we can assure you that there’s more to krill than meets the eye!

(Side note: krill aren’t fish).

Here, we’ll look at the basics:  what krill are, where Artic Flex krill come from, and why we chose krill (and not fish) to be a part of our formulation.

So, what are krill?

 

#6  MCTs: Hype or Healthy?

So far in our Hype or Healthy series, we’ve covered collagen, hyaluronic acid, omega-6 fatty acids, and probiotics. We like to offer you a look at what the research really says about these popular supplements. Are they just fads? Or does evidence back them up?

Today we’re going to take a closer look at medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). If you’ve been wondering what MCTs are, the benefits they offer, and what the research says about them, keep reading!

What are MCTs?  Read more…

 

#5  What is Plantar Fasciitis?

In team sports, there are often unsung heroes who greatly influence the outcome of the game: offensive linemen in football, midfielders in soccer, catchers in baseball, and many other examples. If you’re a casual fan, you may hardly notice their presence unless something goes wrong with their performance.

The plantar fascia on the bottom of your foot is an unsung hero.

This unassuming sheath of tissue is critically important for walking and weight-bearing. When this structure gets inflamed, it is termed plantar fasciitis, causing heel and foot pain that can be chronic and quite bothersome. Here’s what you need to know about plantar fasciitis, its diagnosis, and its treatment.

 

#4  The Top 6 Collagen-Rich Foods

Collagen is a protein found throughout your body. You can think of it as the glue that helps hold your body together. It’s responsible for keeping your joints moving smoothly, making your skin look beautiful and supple, and slowing down some signs of aging.

As you age, collagen production begins to slow, resulting in a higher chance of joint discomfort, decreased cartilage, fine lines, and wrinkles. The good news – you can boost collagen levels through diet or supplementation.

If you’re more inclined to go the supplement route, you’ll encounter three different types of collagen, all of which, are found throughout the body.  Click to keep reading…

 

#3  Seven Simple Sources for More Vitamin D

Vitamin D has many benefits, but one of its primary functions are 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. It’s a problem that exists in many countries like India or Mongolia, but it also occurs right here in the United States, especially in groups like teens, pregnant women, and older people.

What can you do to introduce more vitamin D into you and your family’s life?

 

#2  Five Morning Habits to Loosen Stiff Joints

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.

If you find yourself moving with difficulty, moving slowly, or having a tough time getting out of bed in the morning, you’re not alone. The good news – there are some things you can do when you wake up to loosen up your joints so you can get moving sooner.

The next time you feel like the Tin Man when you wake up, try one or more of these tips to get your body in motion…

 

#1  How Does Astaxanthin Compare to Other Antioxidants?

If you’re familiar with Artic Flex, you know that we’re proud to include the potent antioxidant, astaxanthin.  How does it compare to other antioxidants?  Before we get started, let’s set the stage with an overview of antioxidants…

Antioxidants protect your cells from harmful molecules called free radicals. When free radicals roam throughout our bodies, they steal electrons from healthy cells to become more stable. This electron thievery breaks down cells, essentially speeding up the aging process. This process is called oxidative stress.

Unfortunately, we can’t avoid free radicals completely as they’re natural by-products of processes that happen every second. Breathing is one of them!

That being said, we can certainly minimize the amount of oxidative stress that occurs by consuming antioxidants.

 

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