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How to strengthen your cartilage?

  • Cartilage can be strengthened because it is a metabolically active tissue with living cells called chondrocytes.
  • Chondrocytes produce extracellular cartilage matrix and collagen fibers, providing shock absorption and smooth joint gliding.
  • Exercise and activity positively (anabolic) or negatively (catabolic) influence cartilage matrix and collagen production.
  • Cartilage is best strengthened by short bouts (10-15 minutes) of cyclic, non-impact or soft-impact exercise of moderate intensity and resistance.
  • Sufficiently long rest periods (4-8 hours, depending on cartilage health) are crucial between exercise sessions.
  • Cyclic, repetitive gliding motion stimulates cartilage cells to produce matrix and collagen, especially when combined with moderate actual pressure.
  • Ideal exercises include stationary cycling, cross-trainers, rowing machines, and leg press machines, performed for 10-15 minutes with moderate resistance and adequate rest.
  • Sudden spikes of load, like in running or jumping, are not ideal for cartilage itself but can strengthen the subchondral bone plate.
  • Strengthening the subchondral bone plate can protect deeper bone and potentially allow a return to impact sports over time, but requires a very gradual progression.
  • Supplements like glucosamine, AKBA, undenatured collagen type 2, collagen hydrolysate, and bromelain may support cartilage health by reinforcing anabolic mechanisms or decreasing catabolic pathways.

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