Moves like Jagger? Here’s how to keep your mobility in tip-top shape

The key to staying strong, flexible and mobile – no matter what your age – is in maintaining healthy joints and muscles.

Maroon 5 captured a powerful sentiment with their 2011 track Moves like Jagger. Who among us hasn’t been jealous of the hip-thrusting moves that Rolling Stones rocker Mick Jagger is still busting at his age?

From getting out of bed, to walking the dog, to playing with the kids – mobility matters to every single one of us.

While our bones provide structure for the body, it’s our muscles and joints that play a fundamental role in keeping us moving.

Which means it’s vital to keep your joints and muscles healthy.

Motion really is lotion

The old saying that “motion is the lotion” for our joints is backed up by science.

A 2016 US study published in The Journal of Rheumatology found that cycling for 45 minutes a day, three days a week, significantly reduced joint pain and stiffness in middle-aged and older adults with osteoarthritis.

Regularly practising yoga with its stretching, strengthening and range of motion exercises can improve co-ordination and joint flexibility too.

Regular activity is important for a host of health and wellbeing reasons, but it’s vital to keep your joint health front of mind, too.

There are a few key things you can do to help protect your joints and muscles:

• Make sure you warm up and cool down before and after sports or exercise.
• Choose low-impact options if appropriate.
• Exercise consistently.

Nutrition for joint and muscle health

While exercise (and stretching!) are super important, so too is supporting your joint and muscle health with the right nutrients, including these three superstars:

Glucosamine

One of the key building blocks of cartilage (the smooth connective tissue on the end of bones) and synovial fluid, glucosamine plays a role in maintaining elasticity, strength and lubrication of cartilage in joints.

Chondroitin

Chondroitin is believed to help draw water and nutrients into the cartilage, keeping it spongy and healthy and helping restore lost cartilage.

A lifetime of use can take its toll on this connective tissue – such as cartilage in the knees – which can lead to pain and reduced mobility.

Magnesium

An essential mineral, magnesium plays an important role in normal nerve and muscle function, as well as in supporting cardiovascular health.

Magnesium is also an important nutrient in maintaining bone mineral density and helping the metabolism of calcium.

How to maximise your mobility

It can be hard to get enough glucosamine and chondroitin from natural food sources, and data shows that in 2011-2012 around a third of Australians were low in magnesium. Which can be where supplements can play a part.

Nature’s Own has a dedicated range with nutrients that help support joints and muscles. That includes glucosamine, which may relieve mild joint pain and stiffness and help to maintain joint mobility associated with mild osteoarthritis, and magnesium to help support muscle relaxation and relieve muscle tiredness when dietary intake is inadequate.

Add Nature’s Own Magnesium Chelate 500mg in capsule form and Nature’s Own Glucosamine Sulfate 1500 with Chondroitin or Nature’s Own Glucosamine Sulfate 1500, both in a handy one-a-day tablet format to your wellness arsenal.

And remember even incidental exercise (including housework!) all counts to keep you moving.

Written by Liz McGrath.

This post is brought to you by Nature’s Own Joints and Mobility range. Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist talk to your health professional.