5 ways to reduce your risk of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. Although your chance of developing osteoarthritis increases with age, here are 5 steps you can take to protect your joints and reduce the risk.

Regular exercise strengthens the muscles around your joints, which helps keep your joints healthy. It may also help improve flexibility and ease your pain. If you are new to exercise or have a pre-existing medical condition, ask your doctor to help you choose suitable activities.

While regular exercise reduces your risk of osteoarthritis, overdoing it can put too much stress on your joints, accelerating wear and tear. It also increases your risk of an injury, which makes you more prone to osteoarthritis in the future. Optimize your bone health by engaging in some type of activity at least 2.5 hours per week.

Excess weight puts extra strain on joints, especially knee and hip joints, making them more prone to osteoarthritis. If you're concerned about your weight, your physician can provide advice on lifestyle changes and may refer you to a weight loss group.

Poor posture places abnormal chronic stresses on your whole body. Because these stresses make it more difficult for your muscles to support your joints, your joints bear the pressure of your body weight. This leads to greater wear and tear and potentially puts you at a greater risk of osteoarthritis of the neck, back, knees and hips. Maintain a good posture to keep your bones and joints in the correct alignment.

Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium in your body, making it essential for bone health. You should be able to obtain all the vitamin D you need by getting some sunshine and eating a healthy diet, but if you're concerned that your vitamin D intake may be inadequate, talk to your doctor.

It may not be possible to prevent osteoarthritis, but by making healthy lifestyle choices you can minimize your risk of developing the condition.