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Oct 03

How does Aging change your bones and joints?

Bones and joints are the main support for our bodies. Bones work with muscles and joints to hold our body together and support our movement. Your bones are built to withstand great stress from activities like walking, running, and jumping.

Bone is densely packed with flexible fibers called collagen and hardened by calcium and phosphorus. Our bodies constantly break down old bones and create new bones. This natural balance is required to maintain strong, healthy bones. Nevertheless, natural bone loss accelerates in mid-life and the bones lose calcium and other minerals with age. People lose Bone mineral density (BMD) as they age, especially women after menopause when levels of protective estrogen decline. As bone mass gradually declines, bones become weaker and fracture risk increases.

On the other hand, the spine consists of bones called vertebrae. Between the vertebras, there is a gel-like cushion, called a disk. With aging, the disks gradually lose fluid and become thinner. Vertebrae also lose some of their mineral content, resulting in thinner bone. The spinal column becomes curved and compressed. The mineral loss occurs more in the long bones of the arms and legs which makes them more brittle. Although long bones do not change length, they look longer.

With age, the fluid in the joints may decrease and the joints become stiffer and less flexible. Thus, the cartilage begins to rub together and wear away. Calcification, where minerals may deposit in and around some joints, occurs more around the shoulder.

These changes can result in the breakdown of the joints which may lead to stiffness, pain, inflammation, and deformity. The posture may become more curved. The knees and hips may bend more. Overall, the spine shortens and the height decreases.

Moreover, bones become more brittle and prone to break easily. Thus, osteoporosis is a common problem in the elderly, especially older women. Besides, osteoarthritis is an age-related condition that affects the musculoskeletal system where the cartilage within the joint breaks down, causing pain and stiffness.

Researchers suggest that many factors are associated with aging, such as an inactive lifestyle, hormonal changes in women, and the loss of calcium and other minerals in bones. Therefore, performing physical activity can help to decrease or reverse the risk of disability and chronic disease.

Nevertheless, many vitamins and dietary supplements can help prevent and delay the aging effect on the bones and joints. For instance, calcium is a major component of bone tissue and vital for bone structure and strength. While vitamin D is essential for bone health as it plays a crucial role in calcium absorption and helps regulate bone turnover. Furthermore, collagen is found in the cartilage between joints to provide a natural cushion between bones. Thus, collagen supplements may help with symptoms of joint pain and reduce stiffness. CEDEM AG provides a wide range of products that maintain bone and joint health. For example, CEDEM AG has two forms of Calcium and Vitamin D (VitaCed Ca+ Vitamin D3 tablets and VitaCed Calcium+ Vitamin D3 Effervescent Tablets). In addition, CÉJOINT Plus and COLLACED are unique CEDEM products that contain Collagen Type II, Glucosamine Sulphate, and Chondroitin Sulfate. They act as an efficient reliever for the pain of the neck, joint, and back, they also prevent osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

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