by Madison Davis, Consultant, Researcher at Digital Content & Media

As we age, our bodies change in many ways – even if we try to prevent it. Aside from the noticeable appearance changes, you may find you’re struggling more physically than you normally would. Maybe you’re getting out of breath faster, or perhaps your joints are beginning to feel stiff.

Unfortunately developing some form of arthritis is very common as we age, with the majority of types appearing most commonly in those 40 and above. The change in hormone levels as we age has also been shown to be a contributing factor to developing arthritis, particularly in women. We’ve put together a summary of how exactly these factors can affect you below.

Estrogen levels in women

Women are typically at a lower risk to develop arthritis than men are, which is now thought to be partially due to women having increased estrogen levels. Research has found a link between the decrease in estrogen levels following menopause and women suffering from anthritis, specifically osteoarthritis, although researchers are still not sure exactly what causes the link. It is thought that estrogen helps the health of your joints, so much so that estrogen replacement therapy is now being considered as a new treatment for osteoarthritis.

Obesity

Having a higher BMI than is recommended for your gender, age and height can be dangerous for many reasons, particularly if you are at the higher end of the spectrum, but did you know it can also increase your risk of developing arthritis?

It’s quite common for people to gain some weight as they age, mainly due to a combination of their metabolism slowing down and typically getting less exercise. This is a particular concern for women, as the decrease in estrogen levels combined with the weight gain that usually comes with menopause can put you at much higher risk. Gaining any excess weight will put increased pressure on your joints, leading them to wear out much faster.

Obesity is also one of the leading causes of gout. Fatty foods and drinking too much alcohol can contribute to the build-up of uric acid in your blood, which collects around your joints to form sharp crystals. These crystals can cause severe and sudden pain, redness and swelling when you move around. Obesity generally causes the kidneys – the organs responsible for filtering uric acid out of our bodies – to work less efficiently. So if you’re carrying more than a couple of extra pounds, working towards a healthy weight could do wonders.

Cartilage degeneration

Unfortunately, even if you are leading a healthy lifestyle and maintaining the recommended weight for your body, your cartilage will still gradually deteriorate as you age. Cartilage is the protective tissue that covers where your bones meet at joints, enabling smooth movement. The degeneration of cartilage is primarily caused by wear and tear, so after a lifetime of moving your joints, the cartilage is bound to be a little worse for wear.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is characterised by the degeneration of cartilage, with the majority of cases presenting in those 45 and older. There are things that you can do to try to prevent the degeneration, such as getting regular exercise and investing in the proper footwear. This also links back to obesity, as any extra weight that you’re carrying will cause your cartilage to degenerate faster than is normal with age.

Water content in joint fluid

Your joints are also protected by a thick liquid called synovial fluid. Lower amounts of this fluid can cause similar problems to cartilage degeneration, and often coincide as they both happen with age. Luckily there are things you can do to try to increase your synovial fluid, such as eating more dark, leafy vegetables and omega-3-rich foods, taking certain supplements and making sure to stretch regularly.

Ultimately, most people will experience some kind of joint problems as they age. If you’re concerned, the best things you can do are to ensure you exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight. It’s not too late if you’re already starting to experience problems either, all of those things have links to reducing discomfort so they’re definitely worth a try.