Got joint pain?
You’re not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 in 4 American adults suffers from arthritis.
And we’re not just talking about our golden oldies.
Painful joints can sideline people of all ages, keeping them from doing the activities they love, or even activities that are a necessity, like going to work or lifting their children.
Before we get into total Debbie Downer mode, know that relief for your joint pain could be as simple as a few surprising lifestyle shifts. Read on!
5 Surprising Reasons Your Joints Hurt ... And What You Can Do About It
1. You’re Drinking Too Much Soda
We all know that soda isn’t good for waistlines and heart health, but turns out, it’s pretty bad for our joints too … especially if you’re a woman!
In a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which followed more than 180,000 women spanning over 18 years, researchers found that women who drank just one soda a day had a 63 percent greater risk for arthritis versus non-soda drinkers.
Swap out those sodas for water and your joints will thank you! 
2. You’re Going “All In” with Your New Fitness Routine
When you start a new fitness activity, whether it’s training for your first half-marathon or lifting weights, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and push yourself too hard. But not taking it slow and steady can be a big problem for your joints, especially your knees. (Check out some great post-workout stretches for the knees.) A good rule of thumb is to take 1–2 rest days weekly and up your intensity by 10 percent a week. Contrary to the expression, pain is NOT gain! 
3. You’re Getting Too Many Omegas
Say what?! I thought salmon was good for me!
Before you start to panic, we’re just talking about a specific type of omega fatty acid. You can – and should – keep eating fish and walnuts. They’re great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which give you a host of awesome health benefits. But if you’re getting too many omega-6 fatty acids in your diet, your joints could be suffering.
Studies show that consumption of omega-6 fatty acids in the U.S. has gone up 136 percent in the past 50 years, and now the average American diet contains 25 times more omega-6 fatty acids versus omega 3’s. (A main reason is soybean oil … if you’re a pro at reading labels, then you know it’s found in just about every processed food!)
This imbalance can cause joint pain and inflammation in the body. To get your omega ratios under control for better joint and overall health, check out “How to Optimize Your Omega-6 to Omega 3 Ratio.” 
4. You’re Not Shaking Things Up
We’re all creatures of habit, but if you’re always doing the same activities in your workout routine, you’re always taxing the same joints. Mix it up a little and try something different. Bonus: this will help you avoid fitness burn-out. Oh, and don’t even think of skipping your warm up and cooldowns. These are essential for happy joints. 
5. Gout Shout-Out
Gout is a kind of inflammatory arthritis that you can get if you have too much uric acid in your blood. When uric acid builds up in the joints, it can cause severe pain and inflammation, especially in the feet and knees.
Gout Risk Factors
- Diet: High-protein, low-carb diets … especially if the protein-of-choice is red meat or shellfish
- Alcohol: Drinking more than 2 hard liquor drinks or beers per day
- Weight Problem: Obesity raises the risk of gout
- Age: Men tend to develop gout between the ages of 30 and 50, and women at 50+
- Gender: Men are 4 times more likely to develop gout, although the risk is the same once women enter menopause
Have You Heard About UC-II® for Arthritis Sufferers?
In addition to some simple lifestyle shifts, you can protect your joints with a revolutionary ingredient called UC-II® found in MOTION joint supplement.
UC-II® is proven 162% more effective than glucosamine and chondroitin in reducing joint discomfort. Learn more about this scientific breakthrough for joint health. Questions or comments? We'd love to hear from you!
