Joint Degeneration

Joint degeneration occurs through the passage of time, but there are some things that can be done to minimize the damage.  The joints of the body are subject to an erratic blood supply and can be very sensitive to poor nutritional choices.  No only does a bad diet increase blood pressure and heart disease, but it may also lead to increased joint degeneration. 

Throughout your daily life, the chondrocyte cells that produce cartilage can become stressed, overworked and damaged.  Eventually these cells die off, which makes it difficult for the body to keep producing collagen that is needed to protect against regular wear and tear.  As the cartilage erodes, the joint becomes inflamed, and caustic enzymes will cause the joint itself to degenerate. 

Inactivity is usually more harmful to the joints than overuse because it can increase joint degeneration.  Physical activity actually calls for the body to deliver nutrients to the joints, strengthening them.  A lack of exercise or varied movement can weaken the muscles that support the joints, and an underused joint may become stiff and painful.  This may lead to injury and osteoarthritis later in life.

Joints are so susceptible to poor nutrition because of the way they receive blood from the body.  Rather than getting direct oxygenation and nutrients from the blood, as the muscles and body organs do, joint cartilage is only nourished by the fluid found inside the joint capsule.  Oxygen comes from tiny capillaries that surround the joint capsule and diffuses across the joint capsule membrane and into the joint fluid.  With normal microcirculation and good nutrition, plenty of oxygen and nutrients bathe the cartilaginous surface of the joints.

Unfortunately, this system is very sensitive to changes in diet.  The nourishment to the cartilaginous surface of the joint can be curtailed even by the smallest impediment to normal blood flow.  If the patient already has heart disease, even eating a high-fat meal can cause significant joint issues.  Even the earlier stages of atherosclerosis can impede oxygen delivery to the joint, revealing itself in joint problems that occur decades before the heart problem is diagnosed.  Foods that are high in fat like pizza, cheeseburgers, or bacon will thicken the blood and make the red blood cells stick together.  This causes them to clump and become unable to travel through the smaller capillaries around the joint capsule.  The lack of nutrients will lead to joint degeneration as the cells of the cartilage starve and die.