As You Age, Take Care of Your Joints in Advance

Joints are consumable

Once joint cartilage is damaged, it does not regenerate on its own. Cartilage is thick and elastic up to your twenties, but begins to wear gradually from your thirties, and after age 50, degenerative changes accelerate. The wisest approach is to manage joint health before symptoms appear.

Lifestyle habits that threaten joint health

• Excess weight: For every 1 kg increase in body weight, the load on the knee joint increases by 3 to 5 times.
• Squatting: The traditional Korean floor-sitting lifestyle places excessive pressure on the knee cartilage.
• Lack of exercise: Weak muscles transfer impact directly to the cartilage.
• Excessive hiking and marathons: High-intensity exercise without preparation can actually damage the joints.
• Air-conditioned environments: Reduced blood flow around the joints decreases nutrient supply to the cartilage.

Joint care strategies by age

• 30s–40s: Strengthen the muscles around the joints with resistance training and maintain a healthy weight. Correct posture habits that strain the joints.
• 50s: Begin regular joint check-ups and consider supplements for cartilage protection (such as Gwanjeoldan). Switch to low-impact exercise such as swimming or cycling.
• 60s and beyond: Active joint care is essential. Slow degeneration and preserve function through herbal medicine, acupuncture, and Gwanjeoldan.

Healthy habits for your joints

Practice habits such as sitting on chairs, regular stretching, using knee braces, and a joint-friendly diet (calcium, vitamin D, and omega-3). If your knees feel cold or you feel discomfort on stairs, changes in your joints have already begun. Starting management while symptoms are still mild is key to a healthy later life.