Slowing the Progression of Osteoarthritis

Learn how to make healthy lifestyle choices to relieve joint discomfort and prevent OA from worsening.

Osteoarthritis (OA) was formerly thought to be a condition in which joints simply wore out due to a long and active life. However, research has revealed that OA is a multifaceted condition with numerous causes. Experts say it's not an unavoidable feature of aging, but rather the outcome of a complex set of circumstances, many of which may be altered or avoided. Here is some doctor advice for reducing the risk of OA or delaying the development of the disease.

Keep your weight in check

Weight gain puts extra strain on weight-bearing joints including the hips and knees. Each pound you acquire stresses your knees by nearly four pounds and puts six times more pressure on your hips. The additional stress wears down the cartilage that cushions these joints, which worsens over time.

Mechanical stress, however, is not the sole issue. Cytokines are proteins produced by fat tissue that induce inflammation throughout the body. Cytokines degrade tissue in the joints by changing the function of cartilage cells. Your body produces and releases more of these harmful proteins as you gain weight. Unless you're really overweight, dropping a few pounds can help relieve joint pain.

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