Wellness Weekly 7: Building, And Cracking, Bones

By Idy Perl

Welcome back to another Wellness Weekly installment! We always hear about the importance of eating calcium, but why is it so important? And will cracking your knuckles give you arthritis? Read on to find out!

Myth Buster

Myth: Cracking your knuckles can cause arthritis.

Truth: There is actually no scientific evidence that shows a connection between cracking knuckles and arthritis. The pop sound while cracking your knuckles is caused by a gas bubble in the fluid that lubricates the joints in your fingers, which is also why you can’t crack a knuckle twice in a row, since once the bubble is burst the fluid needs some time to create more. Although doing it often won’t cause arthritis, some say it might cause a loss in grip strength.

Healthy Hacks

Getting some extra calcium in your food can be pretty simple with just a few added ingredients in your regular smoothie recipes. Here are some quick hacks to throw into the blender to get some added benefits: 

• Calcium-fortified Orange Juice
• Tahini
• Greek Yogurt
• Spinach 
• Kale 
• Sesame Seeds 
• Chia Seeds 

Wellness Wisdom

It’s well known that eating calcium is necessary for strong bones, and that’s because without calcium the bones in our body can’t grow properly. Much like our skin, our bones are also living organs, and the bone tissues are constantly being reabsorbed and forming new bones in a process called remodeling. It takes around 10 years for all the bones in our body to be replaced. Calcium is an important part of that process, as it serves as the primary mineral that builds new bone tissue.

Our bodies don’t produce calcium on their own and rely on getting it through the food we eat. Some foods that are calcium rich include dairy foods like yogurt and cheese, fish, leafy greens, and nuts and seeds.

Mind and Body Exercise

There are many different exercises that can keep your bones healthy and strong, and some of them are actually pretty basic. Jogging, brisk walking, climbing stairs, and dancing are all exercises that strengthen your bones. Resistance and weight training are also great ways to strengthen your bones as well as your muscles.

As the weather (hopefully) starts to warm up a bit, brisk walk outdoors, or on a treadmill indoors, to burn some calories and keep your bones strong.

Sharing Is Caring

What is your preferred method of bone-strengthening exercise?