Lube your joints
When you hear protect your joints and watch your joint health you may have been like me and let it go in one ear and out the other because your joints are fine and you have no problems with them. I felt like it was all hogwash and just built up in the marketing but after a deployment of hard labor and a lot of time in the gym I found out what everyone was talking about….the hard way. My elbows were destroyed with golf elbow and tennis elbow in both arms which pretty much reduced me to the point of not being able to train any of my upper body. This made me research all the things I was hearing to try and figure out the best things I could take to help repair my joints and keep them healthy moving forward.
Probably the most popular is Glucosamine. It is said that it does take a couple weeks of someone taking it consistently before it really starts helping your body but once it does it helps repair and avoid cartilage wear and tear. It will also stop inflammation of the joints and attached muscles.
Another popular one is Omega-3 Fatty Acids. It works very similar to glucosamine as in it will reduce inflammation. It will also help make the tendons stronger as well.
Many others are familiar with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an anti-oxidizing agent. It helps safeguard connective tissues like the ligaments, tendons, and skin, not to mention the bones and joints.
Calcium as many know help maintain teeth and bones. It is also very beneficial in minimizing inflammation and joint pain.
One of the lesser known products is Chondroitin Sulfate which when used together with glucosamine decreases the pain and makes the joints stronger. It will also build cartilage while preventing the pain in the joints.
Gelatin is a true lubricant which helps bones and joints from wearing out. Instead of the joint movement rubbing away all the cartilage this will help keep them from drying out, especially for athletes.
One that was new to me was SAMe: S-adenosyl-methionine. It is a coenzyme that aids in the reduction of pain and inflammation. This will also assist in the lessening of muscle stiffness and fatigue.
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) is used in the production of cartilage. It is used in the treatment of arthritis by helping build and bind the collagen to the tissue for bone strength.
While all of these are great supplements and help out please remember to take them as recommended as excessive use can be very harmful to your health. Also remember not to go cheap and invest in yourself, it’s always worth it. I thought it was too expressive and a waste of money to buy the products listed above but I ended up with grade 2 tears (over half of my tendons in my elbow tendons tore) because I did not take care of my joints. I know have spent many hours in rehab and a lot of money on cortisone shots and b12 injections to try and get them health again so I can return to lifting upper body. So take it from me the easy way and lube your joints and as always maintain the highest state of readiness.
