A: It’s never too early to think about proper nutrition (and exercise) for keeping knees and other joints healthy. Antioxidant-containing foods that include vitamins A, C, D and E as well as selenium are believed to promote joint comfort and provide numerous other health benefits. Many different foods provide antioxidants, including most fruits and vegetables, oils from certain cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, anchovies, herring and sardines and seeds, and whole grains. Adding vitamin D to your diet through foods like yogurt, milk and cheeses is a good idea.

I frequently recommend dietary supplements that support joint health to patients who are feeling the effects of joint “wear and tear.” The supplements that I recommend typically contain 1,500 mg of glucosamine and 1,200 mg of chondroitin, a combination that has been clinically proven to improve joint comfort and mobility. I also suggest that patients consult with their physician and choose a product that is doctor-recommended.

There are a number of good resources for more information on joint health such as:

www.drtheo.com
www.osteobiflex.com
www.acr.org

ANSWERED BY: Jason Theodosakis, MD Jason Theodosakis, M.D. is an arthritis and sports medicine specialist and author of the New York Times best-selling book, The Arthritis Cure (St. Martin’s Press, revised 2004).