Mobility & Flexibility

Foods That Help Maintain Flexibility: EP Functional Health Clinic

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Having and maintaining flexibility in the joints depends on the connective tissues surrounding the muscles. Proper lubrication in the connective tissues enables the fibers to slide over one another easily. Naturally occurring proteins collagen and elastin are key components of connective tissue that provide strength and elasticity. The more elastic the connective tissue, the more flexibility around the joint. If it is becoming difficult to stretch out or there is chronic stiffness and tightness, there are foods that help maintain flexibility and enhance overall health.

Foods That Help Maintain Flexibility

Joint flexibility means functioning connective tissues that join the skeleton and muscles and the ability of different body parts to extend and complete motions. Connecting tissues assists with movement and stabilization. These issues include:

Ligaments

  • Ligaments can be band-shaped or string-shaped collagen fibers that connect bones.

Tendons

  • Tendons are similar to ligaments and are band or string shaped but connect muscles to the bones.

Fascia

  • Fascia is a densely woven mesh that wraps around the blood vessels, bones, muscles, organs, and nerves.

Flexibility keeps the muscles active and mobile as they are necessary for daily physical activities. When these tissues become stiff from inactivity or an unhealthy diet, it limits the body’s range of movement and increases the risk of injury. Stretching improves flexibility, and adding foods to a nutrition plan will help maintain limberness.

Nutrition

A nutrition plan full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants will nourish connecting tissues and cells and increase collagen production. Foods rich in essential fatty acids/EFAs, vitamin C, sulfur, and water will promote healthy connective tissue for enhanced flexibility.

Fatty Acids

  • Essential fatty acids include omega-3 and omega-6, primarily found in fish, flax seeds, and liquid oils.
  • These fatty acids are essential because they cannot be made in the body.
  • Foods like fatty fish, flax seeds, walnuts, or supplements, can help achieve the proper ratio.
  • For individuals not too keen on fish, consider omega-3 supplements.

Collagen

  • Collagen is the main protein from connective tissue, and vitamin C is essential for collagen production.
  • Vitamin C-rich foods – oranges, bell peppers, broccoli, strawberries, tomatoes, leafy green vegetables, raspberries, pineapple, cruciferous vegetables, parsley, and watermelon.
  • Make various smoothie recipes for breakfast or an afternoon snack.
  • For increased protein synthesis, add branched-chain amino acids.

Sulfur

  • Sulfur helps maintain the flexible bonds in connective tissues.
  • Animal proteins that provide sulfur include fish, poultry, beef, and eggs.
  • Vegetable sources include Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, and garlic.

Hydration

Water is not considered food as it contains no calories, but it is vital as it makes up 76 percent of the muscles. A high percentage of water content is the key to muscle elasticity. When the body is dehydrated, it holds onto water, causing fluid retention and stiffness. The more the muscles stay dehydrated, the more they have trouble recovering from physical activities, fatigue levels increase, the range of motion decreases, and the risk of injury increases. Don’t wait until you are thirsty. Stay hydrated throughout the day to keep the joints lubricated and energy levels high.

Fruits high in water include:

  • Strawberries
  • Watermelon
  • Cantaloupe
  • Peaches
  • Grapefruit
  • Pineapple
  • Apples
  • Pears

Vegetables high in water include:

  • Cucumber
  • Lettuce
  • Zucchini
  • Celery
  • Eggplant

Limit Salt and Sugar Intake

  • Processed foods tend to have a high salt content.
  • Too much salt causes the joints to swell as the body retains fluid.
  •  Keeping sugar intake low is important in enhancing flexibility.
  • This is because sugar breaks down the collagen in the skin and connective tissues.
  • This means avoiding processed foods, ready meals, and junk food.

Flexibility can be improved by eliminating foods that destroy collagen, focusing on foods that reduce insulin spikes, and maintaining hydration in the connective tissues. A nutritionist can develop a personalized nutrition plan for optimal neuromusculoskeletal health.


Foods That Help Maintain Flexibility


References

Beba, Mohammad et al. “The effect of curcumin supplementation on delayed-onset muscle soreness, inflammation, muscle strength, and joint flexibility: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Phytotherapy research: PTR vol. 36,7 (2022): 2767-2778. doi:10.1002/ptr.7477

Kviatkovsky, Shiloah A et al. “Collagen peptide supplementation for pain and function: is it effective?.” Current opinion in clinical nutrition and metabolic care vol. 25,6 (2022): 401-406. doi:10.1097/MCO.0000000000000870

MacKay, Douglas, and Alan L Miller. “Nutritional support for wound healing.” Alternative medicine review: a journal of clinical therapeutic vol. 8,4 (2003): 359-77.

Shaw, Gregory, et al. “Vitamin C-enriched gelatin supplementation before intermittent activity augments collagen synthesis.” The American journal of clinical nutrition vol. 105,1 (2017): 136-143. doi:10.3945/ajcn.116.138594

Zdzieblik, Denise, et al. “Improvement of activity-related knee joint discomfort following supplementation of specific collagen peptides.” Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie applique, nutrition et metabolism vol. 42,6 (2017): 588-595. doi:10.1139/apnm-2016-0390

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The information herein on "Foods That Help Maintain Flexibility: EP Functional Health Clinic" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

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email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

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Specialties: Stopping the PAIN! We Specialize in Treating Severe Sciatica, Neck-Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal Mobility, Posture Control, Deep Health Instruction, Integrative & Functional Medicine, Functional Fitness, Chronic Degenerative Disorder Treatment Protocols, and Structural Conditioning. We also integrate Wellness Nutrition, Wellness Detoxification Protocols and Functional Medicine for chronic musculoskeletal disorders. We use effective "Patient Focused Diet Plans", Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Cross-Fit Protocols, and the Premier "PUSH Functional Fitness System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. Ultimately, I am here to serve my patients and community as a Chiropractor passionately restoring functional life and facilitating living through increased mobility. Purpose & Passions: I am a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in progressive cutting-edge therapies and functional rehabilitation procedures focused on clinical physiology, total health, functional strength training, functional medicine, and complete conditioning. We focus on restoring normal body functions after neck, back, spinal and soft tissue injuries. We use Specialized Chiropractic Protocols, Wellness Programs, Functional & Integrative Nutrition, Agility & Mobility Fitness Training and Cross-Fit Rehabilitation Systems for all ages. As an extension to dynamic rehabilitation, we too offer our patients, disabled veterans, athletes, young and elder a diverse portfolio of strength equipment, high-performance exercises and advanced agility treatment options. We have teamed up with the cities' premier doctors, therapist and trainers in order to provide high-level competitive athletes the options to push themselves to their highest abilities within our facilities. We've been blessed to use our methods with thousands of El Pasoans over the last 3 decades allowing us to restore our patients' health and fitness while implementing researched non-surgical methods and functional wellness programs. Our programs are natural and use the body's ability to achieve specific measured goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, un-wanted surgeries, or addictive drugs. We want you to live a functional life that is fulfilled with more energy, a positive attitude, better sleep, and less pain. Our goal is to ultimately empower our patients to maintain the healthiest way of living. With a bit of work, we can achieve optimal health together, no matter the age, ability or disability.

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