Our joints and bones have a hard time in winter!

It’s not by chance that our joints may draw more attention during winter. Actually, cold and humidity cause stiffness, discomfort and pain. We are also more liable to falling down, which represents a real problem to our bones if they have become weak due to osteoporosis. But thanks to Genacol Bone & Joint, no more limits, let’s take pleasure again in doing our favourite winter activities!

Osteoarthritis is on bad terms with winter
We know that osteoarthritis—this painful deterioration of joints and joint cartilage—is caused by aging. A bone ends up being exposed by progressive cartilage erosion causing pain and reducing mobility. The synovial membrane becomes inflamed and produces excess synovial fluid, which distends the joint. According to Statistics Canada, this condition affects at least 35% of individuals aged 50 or older.
Now, cold and humidity, which lower our body temperature, also contribute to increasing the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Capillaries will for instance contract as a reaction to cold, which reduces muscle blood flow making muscles stiffen and causing more joint pain. Metabolism slows down, our body “hibernates”. Vital organs will be the priority for blood supply, while arms, legs, muscles and joints will fade into the background. Moreover, cold reduces the viscosity of synovial fluid: joints are thus not well lubricated and every single friction will be felt harshly…


Osteoporosis: be careful not to fall down!
And this is not including the fact that winter sports are not particularly kind to our joints.
Skiing, skating, snowshoeing, snow bike, walking or jogging on snow-covered roads or paths require a lot from our back, hips, wrists, knees, ankles … it’s not a surprise that they complain!
And if, also, just like 2 million Canadians and 450,000 females from Quebec aged 50 or older, you suffer from osteoporosis, winter means a threat to your bones. Osteoporosis indeed makes them weaker and significantly increases the risk of fractures. Why does it mostly affect women aged 50 or older?
Menopause is to blame! Actually, menopause cause hormone deficiency (estrogen), which also affects bone mass that has already reduced with age.


Take control
But you can’t lock yourself up in your house for months! Here are some possible solutions to control that pain and strengthen your bones.

• Think supplements. To get your system that has been ruined by osteoarthritis and osteoporosis back in order, Genacol® has developed Bone & Joint—a product that will not only help relieve osteoarthritis, but will also protect your bones against osteoporosis. It contains Genacol® exclusive AminoLock® collagen, with efficacy that has been demonstrated by three clinical studies. Interesting … when you learn that your cartilage is 67% composed of collagen! Bone & Joint is the most comprehensive formula on the market to protect bone health and give flexibility back to joints. The elixir of youth that will help you take up with comfort, mobility and strength again!

• Favour a healthy diet, including a lot of fruits and vegetables, and make sure you hydrate. Avoid heavy meals—which render your body tired—and too much alcohol—which dehydrates you. For bone health, make sure you take enough calcium.
  Good news: Genacol® Bone & Joint formula does contain calcium, as well as vitamin D and boron—a trace element—, which optimize calcium absorption.

• Move, move and keep moving! Muscles become atrophied by a sedentary lifestyle—which you need to prevent at all costs. Ideally, go out and get some fresh air, wearing some proper clothes, preferably layering your winter clothes to better control your comfort, and choosing the right warm boots equipped with crampons, if required, to avoid falling down.
  Walk, make a snowman with your grandchildren or slide with them, put your snowshoes on!

• Barring excess, exercise can only be beneficial to your joints by relaxing them. Is it really too cold? At the end of last year and at the beginning of this year, we have experienced a long period of intense cold that—despite our willingness—made us lose our momentum. Solutions: do yoga, go swimming, ride a stationary bike or take a walk at the mall… In sum, move! Ideally, spend 30–60 minutes every day doing any physical activity.

Good life hygiene, including a healthy diet, exercise and the indispensable contribution of Genacol Bone & Joint: we can now only enjoy winter pleasures!