When Should You Start Taking Joint Support Supplements?

Supporting hip and joint health becomes increasingly important as you age, but none of us really want to admit when we're old enough to start needing supplements for it. However, studies have found that the sooner you improve your diet and/or supplement with nutrients that are proven to support joint health, the more likely it is that you'll be able to avoid painful problems like arthritis later in life. Is it possible to start taking supplements too soon? What kind of supplements should you take. In this article, we'll answer those questions.

Glucosamine Supplements are Key

Perhaps the most important thing you can do to protect your joints and hips would be to start consuming more glucosamine. This natural substance is found in many foods but is also made several capsules and gummy vitamin manufacturers in pure concentrations for supplemental use. In basic terms, glucosamine is needed to build cartilage - the soft and flexible tissue that lubricates and cushions your joints. They even use glucosamine to make hip and joint treats for dogs, and many pet owners notice a profound difference in their dog's activity levels in only a few weeks after starting supplementation. Studies have also shown that glucosamine supplementation can reduce the risk of a number of bone and joint-related diseases. 

30s-40s Good Time to Start

Generally speaking, most humans reach a hormonal and nutritional peak at around 25-30, after which we have to start paying closer attention to our diet and lifestyle to postpone the deleterious effects of aging. Everyone has a certain amount of glucosamine present in their body, but as you get older, the levels decrease. Unless you're supplementing and/or eating a glucosamine-heavy diet, you'll undoubtedly start to encounter the occasional joint ache as you approach or pass the age of 35 and that's because we start to need higher levels of glucosamine to maintain healthy cartilage.

Getting More Glucosamine in Your Diet

If supplements aren't your thing, or you want to up the amount of glucosamine even further, there's a long list of foods that contain high levels of glucosamine, and many of them are quite delicious. Generally, any meat that contains a lot of cartilage will be rich in glucosamine. Edible cartilage pieces in chicken and seafood are prime examples. Shellfish shells are also incredibly rich in glucosamine and are often the main ingredient used to extract the chemical for supplements. However, you obviously can't eat them because they're too hard, but you can boil them into a broth and have that with a soup that contains cartilage pieces for a huge boost in glucosamine.

Proper Hydration is Paramount 

Finally, don't forget that getting plenty of water is also important for maintaining joint health because it lubricates the cartilage and tendons. A dry body is always more prone to injury and being dehydrated almost always leads to inflammation in the joints. Thus, drinking 6-8 eight-ounce glasses per day is highly recommended to aid in joint and hip support.