If you suffer with joint pain, you may have noticed that the late onset of wintery, cold and wet weather can make your joints ache more than usual, adding an extra burden to this already trying time of year.
Ever wondered why? Consultant Rheumatologist, Dr Rod Hughes, explains;
“People who suffer from arthritic joints may experience increased pain and stiffness during colder months. Low pressure weather patterns may have a physical impact on the joints and could cause already inflamed areas such as knees, hands and hips to swell which can cause pain. In addition, during cold weather, the body focuses on circulating blood around the core and major organs and away from muscles and joints. As a result, the joints can feel less flexible.”
Despite tentative signs of Spring around the corner, there is no doubt that much of the UK remains gripped in a winter freeze. With one-third of the population over the age of 45 have sought treatment for joint health conditions such as arthritis, this cold spell is likely to be playing havoc with those suffering from painful joints across the Nation, causing increased pain, stiffness and immobility.
Fortunately, simple lifestyle changes alongside adding a clinically backed supplements to your daily routine can help to defend your joints against the weather;
Dr Rod Hughes comments; “We can help to protect our joints and effectively treat painful joints by using a clinically proven joint and soft tissue supplement such as rose-hip extract prepared as the galactolipid GOPO®. This has been shown in studies to reduce cartilage damage whilst relieving joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation, and should certainly be considered at the early onset of even mild joint pain or after joint injury. Not only do people report great benefit from these supplements but good quality clinical research has also proved GOPO® is effective.”
GOPO® Joint Health is a natural supplement made from 100% specially cultivated natural rose-hip and is the only product of its kind to contain a high level of GOPO®. Recent research into active, healthy adults has found that 12 weeks of GOPO® supplementation led to reductions in joint pain and improved mobility, potentially also helping to reduce cartilage damage1. One study has even shown significant pain relief after just 3 weeks of GOPO® treatment2.
Top Tips for taking care of Painful Joints this Winter
- Take regular, gentle exercise like walking, swimming and yoga to keep your joints and the supporting muscles and ligaments strong and supple, as help increase the blood flow back to the joint tissues.
- Give yourself a helping hand, by adding a clinically backed supplement to your diet such as GOPO® Joint Health, to help maintain your joint health. Inflammation can attack joint tissues and cause swelling and pain, so taking a natural anti-inflammatory like GOPO® Joint Health may help.
- Maintain your ideal body weight, it’s easy to indulge over the winter months, however increased weight puts more stress on your weight baring joints such as knees, hips and ankles.
- Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds and at least two portions of oily fish per week – fresh foods and nuts contain antioxidant nutrients that can help reduce inflammation and protect against cell damage and the fish oils can help prevent and manage arthritic conditions.