Joints are the areas where your bones come together. There are 360 joints in the body that help you do everything from writing with a pen to bending down to tie your shoes to running and playing sports. Without properly functioning joints, it can make it difficult to complete daily tasks, walk, exercise, or complete any tasks that require movement. Injury, age, or carrying excess body weight can all contribute to damaged joints and may eventually lead to long-term adverse health conditions.

To keep you feeling your best, here are four things you should know about the health of your joints:

1. Regular exercise can keep your joints functional and strong

Your joints are meant to move. Consistent exercise is a great way to keep your joints strong enough to handle physical activity in your elder years. Think of your joints like hinges on a door: If they don't get oiled and opened and closed regularly, they will start getting stiff and sticking. When you exercise, you strengthen the muscles around your joints, which improves balance and strengthens bone tissue. There are many different exercises that support joint health, such as yoga, stretching, low-intensity cardio, swimming, and weight training. Additionally, regular exercise supports flexibility, reduces discomfort, and fights fatigue. Last but certainly not least, a regular exercise routine can help you maintain a healthy weight, which is another way to keep your joints healthy.

2. Your diet can affect the health of your joints

Research shows that eating foods that help the body maintain natural levels of inflammation can have preventative effects on joint discomfort. The low-salt DASH diet and Mediterranean diet have been shown to help. In general, HealthyBest recommends focusing on eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, lean meat, fish, and legumes. The traditional Western diet, which is high in saturated fats, sugar, and sodium, can cause harm by increasing the level of inflammation in the body. Try to minimize the amount of fried foods, candy, sweet pastries, and sodas you consume to keep your joints functioning optimally.

3. Glucosamine can be taken as a nutritional supplement to support joint health*

Glucosamine is a natural compound found in cartilage, the tissues that cushion your joints. Unfortunately, your natural level of glucosamine decreases as you age, which can lead to joint issues. Some studies show that supplementing your diet with glucosamine can help strengthen joints.* Because you can't get glucosamine from foods, supplementation is the best option. High-quality supplements like HealthyBest Move provide a beneficial amount of glucosamine, along with other ingredients like MSM and bromelain, that specifically promote the health of your joints.*

4. Our joints carry the weight of our body

Carrying extra weight forces your joints to work harder, leading to more wear and tear. That extra load is especially hard on your knees and hips. In fact, those joints take on three times the amount of weight pressure compared to other parts of the body, meaning an extra five pounds feels like an extra 15 pounds on these joints. As you gain weight, cartilage can begin to break down and your joints can become even more stressed by the extra load they have to bear. The good news in this is that even a small amount of weight loss, say five pounds, can greatly help your joints. Getting to a healthier weight can be achieved through various strategies, such as exercise and diet, and by working with healthcare professionals, such as a registered dietitian.

Keep these things in mind to maintain your ability to do the things you love and to ensure your joints are as healthy as possible. As you may have noticed, many of the things you can do to care for your joints are also great ways to maintain overall health and wellness.

For extra support, HealthyBest Move has you covered with a comprehensive and effective ingredient profile that supports the health of your joints.* You can learn more about HealthyBest Move and try it out in your lifestyle by visiting healthybest.com.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

HealthyBest is a subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.