Foods that Keep Your Bones Strong and Joints Healthy

Last Updated on October 11, 2017 by Ellen Christian

This post is sponsored by Osteo Bi-Flex®. All opinions are my own.

As I age, one of my main concerns is maintaining bone health. Since my Grandmother developed joint comfort issues such as occasional joint stiffness as she got older, this is something I worry about and am personally invested in.

As we approach Bone and Joint Health National Awareness Week, I wanted to share a few key tips and reminders on how you can keep your bones and joints feeling their best.

Foods that Keep Your Bones Strong

When it comes to building healthy bones, what you eat plays a part in your bone health. Two essential nutrients that support bone health are calcium and vitamin D. We all know that dairy products including things like milk, cheese and yogurt are excellent sources of vitamin D and calcium. Broccoli even has been proven to boost vitamin D levels! Although the below list of food may be less obvious choices, there are other nutrient-rich foods that make for a bone-healthy diet. According to Osteo Bi-Flex®, calcium and vitamin D are our foundation for maintaining strong bones*. Osteo Bi-Flex reports that when looking over nutritional labels it’s important to remember that adults over 50 years of age should get 1,200mgs of calcium and 400-600IU of vitamin D each day. Thankfully, it’s easy to find delicious and nutritious foods with both calcium and vitamin D.

Sardines

Sardines are very high in Omega 3 which is another nutrient that can support healthy joints. Sardines are also an excellent source of vitamin D. Remember to eat the soft bones in the sardines because they provide a good source of calcium.

Tofu

If you don’t typically eat tofu or soy-based products, you might not be aware that tofu is an excellent source of calcium. Tofu is also rich in protein, iron, manganese, selenium and phosphorous, which are all essential for bone health. If you’re not familiar with eating tofu, try it stir-fried with Asian vegetables. Don’t overcook the vegetables. They should be crisp, not soft.

Eggs

Did you know that eggs have 21mg of non-dairy calcium? For those that are lactose intolerant, it can be a challenge to find affordable sources of calcium to include in their diet. Eggs contain 6% of your daily vitamin D needs and are an important part of a healthy diet. Just remember, you need to eat both the yolk and the egg white, as the yolk contains most of the vitamins.

Tahini

Fans of the Mediterranean diet will be familiar with Tahini, a spread that is made of sesame seeds. We enjoy dipping carrot sticks and other vegetables in Tahini, but it’s also a great spread to include on a pita or crackers. Did you know that a tablespoon of Tahini has up to 66mg of calcium?

Joint Health

Of course, it can be difficult to get all of the recommended doses of vitamin D and calcium from food intake alone, despite your best intentions. To help maintain your bone strength and support your joints, you can supplement your diet support with Osteo Bi-Flex® Triple Strength with Vitamin D*. This product contains Joint Shield™, an herbal ingredient that helps aid occasional joint flare-ups; vitamin D3, an active and potent form of vitamin D that helps support bone health and a healthy immune system.*

I know that keeping your bones and joints healthy probably isn’t something you think about every day, but National Bone and Joint Week will take place between October 12 and 20 and many communities will host activities during the week that focus on increasing awareness for the importance of supporting bone and joint health. If you’re interested in learning more, check with your local doctor or hospital to discover what types of activities are available in your area.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Individual results may vary.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

This post is sponsored by Osteo Bi-Flex. All opinions are my own.