How to prevent arthritis

Arthritis is a problem caused by inflammation in the joints. It can occur in one or more joints. The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In this article we tell you about the factors that can lead to arthritis and give you tips on how to prevent it.

In both cases, the main symptoms are joint stiffness and pain, which tend to worsen with age.  However, their causes are different:

• In osteoarthritis, the cartilage that lines the bones of the joint breaks down.
• Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the synovial membrane lining the joints.

Arthritis risk factors

Arthritis can have a number of causes, the risk factors are:

• Family history, as some types of arthritis are hereditary, and in such cases the genes are more vulnerable to environmental factors that can trigger arthritis.
• Age leads to the breakdown of the cartilage and a decline in the immune system.
• Sex. Women are more likely than men to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, while men are more likely to suffer from gout, another type of arthritis.
• Previous joint injury. People who have suffered an injury to a joint are more likely to develop arthritis in that joint over time.
• Obesity/overweight. Being overweight puts greater stress on the joints, especially the knees, hips and spine, making them more prone to developing arthritis.

Remedies to prevent arthritis

It has been shown that following the recommendations below can help to prevent arthritis, or improve an existing condition:

• Lose weight and keep your weight at an appropriate level.
• Look after your joints to avoid injury, e.g. by warming up and stretching when doing sport.
• Maintain an adequate intake of vitamin D and calcium. If you have a deficiency, you should see a doctor, who will prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements.
• Strengthen the muscles around your joints, especially the ones around your knees, to reduce the risk of wear and tear on the joint and prevent injury.
• Exercise regularly to help increase your bone density and decrease joint wear and tear.
• Menopausal women may lose some bone density during this stage of life due to low oestrogen production, making them prone to osteoporosis. Therefore, they should see a doctor to be prescribed a hormone regulator.
• Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking, as both are bad habits that weaken your bone structure, thus increasing the risk of fractures.
• Beware of tick bites!Tick bites can transmit Lyme disease. If this disease is not detected and treated early, it can cause permanent damage to the joints or nervous system.

In addition to the above recommendations, taking food supplements like Keriba Sport is also beneficial as it promotes joint health thanks to the Pomanox (pomegranate extract), magnesium and vitamin B6 it contains, which means that it has an anti-inflammatory effect and inhibits the breakdown of cartilage.