Staying active should be a priority all year round. Regardless of the weather and how it makes you feel, your body needs and will benefit a lot from regular exercise.
Exercise improves blood circulation by allowing your blood vessels to expand and contract. This increases the flow of blood, which carries oxygen and nutrients with it, to various tissues and organs of your body. [1] Your heart and brain, in particular, being highly oxygen-dependent organs that work round the clock, need a steady supply of oxygenated blood to function properly.
Exercise also helps improve your mobility. Being physically active helps enhance your stamina, strength, balance and flexibility – all important features that can keep you agile no matter what age. [2] Exercising regularly also helps strengthen your muscles and ligaments so you can keep your joints healthy. [3]
Joints refer to areas of your body where two bones meet. They consist of cartilage, which covers the surface of bones; ligaments, which connect bones together; tendons, which connect muscles to bones; synovial membranes, which help lubricate joints; and bursas, which are fluid-filled sacs that help cushion the friction in joints. [4]
For joints to fulfill their main functions, which include providing stability and flexibility to skeletal structures (e.g., your skull, pelvis, etc.) and allowing different types of movements, the abovementioned components need to be maintained in optimal condition. [5] This is especially crucial for older adults, who often suffer from limited mobility due to joint wear and tear which naturally occurs with age.
Aside from injuries sustained from accidents, overuse of your joints can also lead to damage. According to experts, the human body is programmed to constantly repair and maintain joints throughout our lives. [6] Joint issues only occur when the body’s natural ability to repair damage is impaired.
Conditions affecting the joints usually involve the destruction of cartilage. Because joint cartilage lacks blood vessels to transport the necessary cells and nutrients for repair, experts have long believed that cartilage is incapable of healing. [7] But recent studies have found that humans do have the ability to regrow cartilage, much like salamanders and zebrafish. [8]
“There is intrinsic regeneration – with new tissue being formed and old tissue chewed up and washed away – just as there is for every tissue with the exception of tooth enamel,” explained rheumatologist Virginia Kraus from Duke University School of Medicine. But because of the lack of blood vessels, Kraus says that joint cartilage regeneration is a very slow process. [9]
Fortunately, you can do something to support your body’s natural ability to repair cartilage. According to Kraus, you can help get nutrients to cartilage through exercise. When you exercise, you put stress or weight on your joints, which causes the synovial fluid produced by synovial membranes to flow in and out. This synovial fluid can carry nutrients to your cartilage to facilitate tissue repair and regeneration. “That's why exercise is so critical to joint health,” says Kraus.
Staying active in winter
During winter, the body’s natural repair processes are considerably slower due to the cold temperature causing blood vessels to constrict, slowing down blood flow. [10] While this helps keep your vital organs warm and reduces heat loss, having narrowed blood vessels compels your heart to work doubly hard to pump blood through your body. [11]
Knowing this, you might think it’d be much better to avoid exercising altogether so as not to put more stress on your heart. But experts say you can still stick to your exercise routine despite the cold weather – you just have to adjust your schedule and do it during the warmer time of the day.
Staying physically active in winter offers many benefits, including improved blood circulation and better joint health. According to studies, being physically active, especially while you’re young, is linked to better cartilage volume in old age. Meanwhile, having a “sedentary lifestyle with the absence of loading for the cartilage accelerates the progression of [age-related] cartilage degeneration.” [12]
But to support optimal joint health, more than just exercise is needed. Eating a healthy diet is also important. After all, your body gets all the nutrients it needs from the foods that you eat. According to studies, your immune system is directly involved in repairing damaged tissues; but this natural healing process can be impeded by deficiencies in certain nutrients. [13]
Essential nutrients that are required for natural healing include amino acids like glutamine and arginine, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A and C, and trace minerals like iron, selenium and zinc. Antioxidants also play a huge role in tissue repair as oxidative stress caused by free radicals can cause further damage to cells if not neutralized immediately.
In joints, research points to oxidative stress as one of the main contributors to cartilage degeneration. When free radical production exceeds the body’s antioxidant supply, oxidative stress is triggered particularly in chondrocytes – the cells responsible for cartilage formation. This accelerates the aging of chondrocytes, which promotes the destruction of cartilage. [14]
For a stronger, more agile body and healthier joints, make sure to exercise regularly and eat plenty of foods that are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. You can also take natural supplements to support optimal physical performance and good nutrition. Here are 10 excellent supplements that can support your joints as you stay active this winter:*
Astaxanthin
In the world of antioxidants, astaxanthin is considered the most powerful of all. A one-of-a-kind carotenoid derived from the freshwater microalga Haematococcus pluvialis, astaxanthin is known for its high free radical scavenging capacity. According to studies, astaxanthin is 65 times more powerful than vitamin C, 100 times more effective than a-tocopherol (vitamin E), 54 times stronger than beta-carotene, and 10 times more potent than other carotenoids like canthaxanthin, zeaxanthin and lutein. [15]
So if you’re looking for reliable antioxidant support against oxidative stress, look no further than astaxanthin. Studies show that supplementing with powerful antioxidants like astaxanthin can help protect against oxidative stress that’s caused by exercise. [16] Free radicals are naturally produced during exercise as a consequence of increased oxygen uptake by cells. [17]
If you’re looking for an astaxanthin supplement that you can trust, the Health Ranger Store is offering Health Ranger Select Hawaiian Astaxanthin Gel Caps. Derived from carefully cultivated H. pluvialis microalgae, our premium astaxanthin supplement provides a much more concentrated form of astaxanthin than any seafood. It is also a safer source of astaxanthin since seafood is often contaminated with mercury.
Health Ranger Select Hawaiian Astaxanthin Gel Caps have one of the highest potency levels of astaxanthin per gel cap. They are recommended for athletes and people with active lifestyles who want to naturally support optimal strength, endurance and stamina. Sourced from fresh H. pluvialis microalgae grown in freshwater from the pristine regions of Hawaii, our Hawaiian astaxanthin gel caps are carefully lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Turmeric
Widely acknowledged as one of the world’s most powerful herbs, turmeric not only has a long history of use in traditional medicine, it is also a nutrient powerhouse. Turmeric is packed with potent antioxidants, which include its active component curcumin, as well as a wealth of essential nutrients.
One tablespoon (about 9.4 grams, g) of ground turmeric powder can give you the following: [18]
· Fiber, 8% of the Daily Value (DV)
· Protein, 2% of the DV
· Vitamins B2, B3, B5, B6 and K, 1% of the DV
· Vitamin E, 3% of the DV
· Copper, 13% of the DV
· Iron, 29% of the DV
· Magnesium, 5% of the DV
· Manganese, 81% of the DV
· Phosphorus, 2% of the DV
· Potassium, 4% of the DV
· Selenium, 1% of the DV
· Zinc, 4% of the DV
Turmeric is the perfect natural supplement for supporting optimal nutrition and maintaining strong antioxidant defenses. Thanks to its wealth of beneficial phytonutrients, turmeric also possesses natural properties that can support normal muscle recovery after exercise. This was reported by a study involving professional footballers that was published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition. [19]
The Health Ranger Store has searched across the globe for the cleanest turmeric root powder on the market. After extensive lab testing of raw materials, we've finally secured an ultra-clean lot of organic turmeric root powder that has passed our stringent standards for cleanliness and purity.
Derived from fresh, raw turmeric root grown on pristine organic farms, Health Ranger Select Organic Turmeric Root Powder is one of the cleanest, highest-quality turmeric root powders on the market. Packed with curcumin and other nutrients, it retains the full spectrum nutritional content of raw turmeric.
Our premium turmeric root powder contains no gluten, GMOs, fillers, artificial sweeteners or additives and is certified Kosher and organic. It is also vegan, non-irradiated, non-China and meticulously lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
The Health Ranger Store also offers Health Ranger Select Organic Turmeric Gold. Made from lab-verified turmeric grown under strict organic standards, this breakthrough liquid turmeric formula is loaded with curcumin and other antioxidants as well as essential vitamins and minerals to help you maintain optimal health and wellness. Our premium turmeric liquid extract is highly recommended for those who don't like the typical aftertaste of turmeric powder, as well as those who seek convenience in enjoying the powerful benefits of curcumin.
Collagen
Often associated with skincare, collagen is not just for your skin – in fact, this structural protein is found everywhere in your body, being the primary building block of your skin, muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments and other connective tissues. [20] Even the cartilage in joints is composed partly of collagen fibers, making collagen particularly important for mobility. [21]
Unfortunately, your body is not capable of absorbing collagen in its whole form, whether it be from food or supplements. To make use of dietary collagen, the body has to first break it down into smaller molecules called amino acids, which could then be recycled to form other proteins, including collagen. [22]
The good news is, there’s now a straightforward way to supply your body with collagen that simplifies absorption for your body. Introducing Groovy Bee® Collagen Peptides - Hydrolyzed Type I and III Collagen, a bioavailable form of collagen produced through hydrolysis. This process breaks down collagen into smaller pieces so that your body can more easily use them as building blocks for tissue repair.
Our premium bovine collagen powder uses lab-verified Type I and Type III collagen, the most abundant types of collagen in the human body. They are carefully hydrolyzed for optimal digestion and absorption. An excellent source of protein and other nutrients, Groovy Bee® Collagen Peptides - Hydrolyzed Type I and III Collagen is non-GMO, non-China and rigorously lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Vitamin D3
Also known as the “sunshine vitamin,” vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient that’s naturally produced in your skin upon exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Unlike most vitamins, vitamin D has very few food sources, which include egg yolks, salmon, sardines, herring, cod liver oil, tuna and mushrooms. [23]
During winter when sunlight is scarce, getting enough vitamin D can be challenging. According to studies, vitamin D deficiency is still prevalent in the United States, especially during this time of year. [24]
Because vitamin D is crucial for the proper functioning of your immune system, nervous system and musculoskeletal system (comprised of your bones, muscles and joints), you’ll find it hard to stay physically active if you’re deficient in this vitamin. [25] Muscle aches or weakness, fatigue and bone pain are just some of the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency.
To help you maintain healthy vitamin D levels so you can stay active this winter, the Health Ranger Store is offering Seeking Health® Vitamin D3 Drops. This premium liquid vitamin D supplement provides a potent 50 microgram (2,000 IU) dose of vitamin D3 per drop, in pure olive oil base.
Seeking Health® Vitamin D3 Drops delivers cholecalciferol (D3) derived from cholesterol in sheep’s wool, making it suitable for vegetarians. One of the five forms of vitamin D, cholecalciferol has been found by studies to be more effective than other forms at supporting/maintaining healthy vitamin D levels. [26]
The need for this nutrient varies depending on the individual, so we recommend consulting with a qualified healthcare professional for testing prior to using a high-potency vitamin D supplement. Our Vitamin D3 Drops make it easy to tailor the dose to fit your specific needs and may be easier to take than capsules or softgels for some individuals. This product is free of artificial fillers, flow agents, preservatives or flavors.
Chlorella
Dubbed “Nature’s Perfect Food” due to its natural abundance of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, chlorella is a unicellular microalga that is known as one of the most nutrient-dense superfoods in the world. Chlorella is an excellent source of protein and can provide all nine essential amino acids your body needs, making it a complete protein that’s suitable for vegans and vegetarians. [27]
Chlorella is also loaded with essential nutrients and antioxidants that can support optimal overall health and wellness. Aside from protein, chlorella offers high amounts of vitamin C and iron plus decent amounts of B vitamins, calcium, copper, magnesium, potassium and zinc. Chlorella also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are healthy fats that can support normal physical performance and energy levels.
Derived from ultra-clean Chlorella vulgaris microalgae grown indoors under tightly controlled conditions, Health Ranger Select Clean Chlorella™ Powder provides a well-balanced ratio of highly bioavailable vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Our Clean Chlorella™ is a "thin cell wall" chlorella with high digestibility, which is amazing in terms of optimal nutrient preservation.
Health Ranger Select Clean Chlorella™ Powder is extensively lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology to ensure that you get one of the cleanest commercially available chlorella products on the market. They are also non-GMO and non-China. Simply mix the powder into your favorite smoothies, juices, soups, desserts and other recipes to support your overall health.
Our Clean Chlorella™ is also available in tablet form and in #10 cans.
Mineral and electrolyte drops
Many people don’t worry about dehydration and electrolyte loss and may even drink less during winter. But dehydration and electrolyte imbalance aren’t seasonal issues – in fact, you can suffer from both any time of the year, even more so during the colder months.
You may have noticed that in winter, you don’t feel the urge to drink as often as you do in summer. But this isn’t because you’re not sweating as much; as one study reveals, your body’s thirst mechanism just isn’t as reliable when the weather’s cold. And this increases your risk of getting dehydrated. [28]
As mentioned earlier, your body tries to retain heat when the weather is cold by narrowing your peripheral blood vessels, which constricts blood flow to your skin. [29] But as a consequence, this blocks the release of the fluid-regulating hormone, arginine vasopressin, which leads to a decline in thirst. With your thirst mechanism impaired, you won’t feel the urgent need to hydrate even if you have to.
What makes this dangerous is that you’re forced to urinate more often when it’s cold even if you don’t drink a lot. This is another consequence of blood vessel constriction, which inevitably increases your blood pressure. To reduce this pressure, your kidneys are programmed to filter out excess fluid in your blood to try to reduce the volume of blood flowing. [30] This is why you frequently feel the urge to urinate when the temperature’s cold and why you’re also more likely to become dehydrated.
To help you maintain proper hydration and optimal electrolyte balance, especially as you stay physically active this winter, the Health Ranger Store is offering clean, lab-verified Mineral and Electrolyte Drops that you can simply add to your favorite drinks or even a glass of water to help replenish lost electrolytes.
Specially formulated for those who need a boost in hydration as well as mineral intake, Health Ranger Select Concentrated Mineral Drops contains over 24 different trace minerals, including iron, copper, manganese, selenium and zinc, as well as mineral electrolytes like sodium, chloride and magnesium. This mineral-rich formula is derived from Utah’s pristine Great Salt Lake, which is known as a self-purifying ecosystem.
To retain the ionic properties of the minerals in Health Ranger Select Concentrated Mineral Drops, we concentrated this formula using only sunshine and a natural evaporation process. This means no destructive processing or artificial heat was involved. It also has no taste, so it’s relatively easy to incorporate into your daily routine. Simply add a few drops to your drinking water, juice, post-workout shake or smoothie to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes.
Health Ranger Select Electrolyte Drops is a pure, unadulterated formula that is also sourced from Utah’s Great Salt Lake. Naturally distilled from the lake’s pristine waters using solar evaporation, this premium formula contains all four mineral electrolytes – i.e., chloride, magnesium, potassium and sodium – that your body needs to stay hydrated and maintain optimal fluid balance.
Health Ranger Select Electrolyte Drops virtually has no taste, so you don’t have to worry about adding it to your favorite shakes, smoothies, juices or drinking water. It also contains no artificial ingredients, colors, flavors, chemicals, fillers or preservatives of any kind. What’s more, our premium electrolyte drops are extensively lab tested by our Consumer Wellness Center labs for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology, so you can be sure of their quality and purity.
Spirulina
Another microalga that has been making waves for its nutritional benefits is spirulina. The world’s most potent green superfood, spirulina is the dried biomass of a blue-green microalgae that boasts the perfect balance of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Spirulina is also a rich source of protein, making it the perfect natural supplement for people with active lifestyles. [31]
Here is a list of the essential nutrients found in 100 grams (g) of spirulina: [32]
· Protein, 12% of the DV
· Iron, 16% of the DV
· Potassium, 3% of the DV
· Magnesium, 5% of the DV
· Sodium, 4% of the DV
· Zinc, 2% of the DV
· Copper, 66% of the DV
· Manganese, 8% of the DV
· Vitamin B1, 19% of the DV
· Vitamin B2, 26% of the DV
· Vitamin B3, 7% of the DV
· Vitamin B5, 7% of the DV
· Vitamin B6, 2% of the DV
· Vitamin B9, 2% of the DV
· Vitamin E, 3% of the DV
· Vitamin K, 2% of the DV
Health Ranger Select Hawaiian Spirulina Cold Pressed Tablets is made from Arthrospira platensis microalgae cultivated in open ponds using a combination of 100% fresh potable water from Hawaiian aquifers and ultra-pure, deep ocean water containing all 94 trace minerals and elements. They are then gently dried using our patented Ocean Chill Drying technology and cold-pressed to ensure maximum nutrient content.
Grown in a Biosecure Zone, our lab-verified spirulina contains no gluten, pesticides, solvents, herbicides or GMOs. Our premium spirulina cold-pressed tablets are also non-China, non-irradiated, vegan and meticulously lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology. Additionally, every batch of spirulina at the Health Ranger Store is rigorously tested for radiation by a third-party lab and is consistently found to have no detectable levels of radiation.
Our Hawaiian Spirulina Cold Pressed Tablets are also available in #10 cans for long-term storage. For a more impressive nutritional punch, we also offer Health Ranger Select Pure Microalgae Superfood Blend Powder, a pure and potent combination of lab-verified spirulina and chlorella powders, two of the healthiest and most revered superfoods on the planet.
Magnesium
Magnesium is one of the most important minerals for the human body. Due to its involvement in energy metabolism and normal muscle function, maintaining healthy magnesium levels is crucial for physically active individuals. Studies show that as one’s physical activity goes up, so does his body’s magnesium requirement. [33] This is why it’s important to eat foods that are rich in magnesium (e.g., avocado, almonds, pumpkin seeds, legumes, spinach, dark chocolate, etc.) and to take magnesium supplements.
However, the human body normally only absorbs less than half the magnesium it gets from food sources. This is why magnesium supplements are usually bound to another substance to optimize absorption. Magnesium is often combined with malic acid, a compound naturally found in fruits, and the amino acid, glycine.
To help you maintain healthy magnesium levels so you can support an active lifestyle, the Health Ranger Store is pleased to offer two bioavailable forms of magnesium: magnesium malate and magnesium glycinate.
Magnesium Comfort (magnesium malate powder) combines pure magnesium and malic acid to naturally support healthy energy levels and encourage healthy muscle relaxation and recovery after exertion. This pure, lab-verified formula contains no gluten, fillers or GMOs and is completely non-China and vegan. You can trust that our 100% magnesium malate powder is also thoroughly lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Similarly, Groovy Bee® Magnesium Glycinate Powder is carefully chelated with the amino acid glycine for optimal bioavailability. Each two-gram serving of our lab-verified powder supplement delivers a whopping 500 mg of pure magnesium to support your body’s needs. Our premium magnesium glycinate powder contains no gluten or GMOs and is BSE and TSE-free. It is also vegan and extensively lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Our high-absorption magnesium glycinate powder is also available in capsule form.
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
MSM is an organosulfur compound that naturally occurs in humans, some green plants and animals. It can also be found in animal products like eggs, meat, fish and poultry, and plant-based foods like asparagus, Brussels sprouts, garlic, kale, legumes, onion and wheat germ. [34] Because MSM is 34% elemental sulfur, it is considered a great source of organic sulfur. [35]
Sulfur is involved in the synthesis of many structural biomolecules, one of which is collagen. [36] The most abundant protein in your body, collagen helps provide structure to your skin and bones. Collagen is also a crucial component of cartilage that helps maintain its integrity. According to experts, healthy collagen levels can help support healthy cartilage as you age, which is key to keeping your joints healthy. [37][38]
To help you maintain optimal collagen levels, the Health Ranger Store is offering Groovy Bee® OptiMSM Mobility Capsules and OptiMSM Mobility Flakes. A unique compound that contains 34% elemental sulfur, MSM delivers metabolically active sulfur, which is needed by your body for the production of structural biomolecules like collagen.
Groovy Bee® OptiMSM Mobility Capsules and OptiMSM Mobility Flakes are two of the cleanest MSM supplements you’ll find on the market. They contain no contaminants, fillers, preservatives or additives and are non-GMO, certified Kosher and non-shellfish-derived, so they are suitable for vegans. They are also thoroughly lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
MCT oil
Popular among athletes and bodybuilders, MCT oil is a unique supplement that’s derived from coconut oil. MCTs, which stand for medium-chain triglycerides, are healthy fats that are metabolized by your body differently from other fats. Because MCTs go straight to the liver where they are immediately used as an energy source, MCT oil is considered an excellent supplement to support healthy energy levels and fuel endurance workouts. [39]
As you stay active this winter, you can load up on healthy fats that are easy for your body to absorb and convert into energy with lab-verified MCT oil from the Health Ranger Store. Derived from premium coconuts, Groovy Bee® 100% MCT Oil (95% C8 MCT Oil) contains at least 95% pure C8 (caprylic acid), the premier and most efficient type of MCT for your body, and other healthy fats that can support optimal health.
Caprylic acid can be found in many food sources, such as coconut oil, palm fruit oil, peanut butter, raw cow’s milk and even human breast milk. But the richest and most efficient source of caprylic acid is MCT oil. A single tablespoon of Groovy Bee® 100% MCT Oil (95% C8 MCT Oil) delivers 14 grams of pure caprylic acid (C8), as well as trace amounts of caproic acid (C6) and capric acid (C10).
Our premium MCT oil is vegan, non-GMO, non-China, certified Kosher and thoroughly lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology. To consume, simply add a tablespoon to your favorite drinks and pre- or post-workout beverage.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any diseases.
References
[2] https://www.health.harvard.edu
[4] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org
[6] https://versusarthritis.org
[7] https://www.southeasttexasspine.com
[8] https://physicians.dukehealth.org
[9] https://www.scientificamerican.com
[10] https://www.concordancehealthcare.com
[11] https://www.health.harvard.edu
[12] https://www.mdpi.com
[13] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[14] https://www.frontiersin.org
[15] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
[16] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[18] https://www.nutritionvalue.org
[19] https://www.frontiersin.org
[20] https://my.clevelandclinic.org
[21] https://www.news-medical.net
[22] https://my.clevelandclinic.org
[23] https://www.healthline.com
[24] https://www.frontiersin.org
[25] https://my.clevelandclinic.org
[26] https://www.mdpi.com
[27] https://www.healthline.com
[30] https://arkansasurology.com
[31] https://www.mountsinai.org
[32] https://tools.myfooddata.com
[33] https://www.mdpi.com
[35] https://www.medicinenet.com
[36] https://www.versusarthritis.org
[37] https://www.healthline.com
