Search Joint Pain

Rebuilding Your Way to Full Capacity

by Dr. David Williams

Published 04/30/09

You've probably heard statements to the effect that every cell in your body is replaced every seven years. Unfortunately, for our joints that's not really the case.

There's currently a great deal of research being undertaken in an effort to determine the exact turnover rate of cells in different tissues. We've long known, for example, that red blood cells live only 120 days and then are replaced with new ones. The cells lining your intestinal tract are replaced every five days, and the epidermal cells protecting your skin surface are totally restored every two weeks. Bone is replaced about every 10 years, whereas muscle and gut tissue take about 15 to 16 years. As a general rule, then, I guess you could say most of your body is still too young to drive.

Certain areas, such as parts of the brain, are as old as you are-which stands to reason, since you would want to retain the knowledge you've acquired since birth. It appears that cartilage also has a very slow turnover rate. The exact rate hasn't yet been determined, but I'm sure the slow rate stems in part from the lack of blood supply. If you abuse your cartilage, you can't return it for new or take it in for warranty work. For that reason, it's imperative that you invest the effort to take care of your joints.

I have no doubt that many of the dramatic changes in our diet and lifestyle during the last century are only contributing to our joint mobility problems.

I've stressed the importance of adequate amounts of pure water more times than I care to remember. To stay fully functional, cartilage has to be fully hydrated. As children, our cartilage was made up of almost 85 percent water, but as we get older that drops to 75 percent in most cases-and even lower if we remain in a state of dehydration. Lots of water translates into more resilient joints. And, regardless of what the advertisements claim, sodas and sports drinks aren't good substitutes.

I've discussed before how the phosphoric acid in soda leaches minerals from bones and leads to osteoporosis. This acid also suppresses your ability to absorb the trace mineral manganese. Chiropractors have known for decades that patients with low levels of manganese never seem to be able to "hold" their adjustments. While full-blown deficiencies are somewhat rare, even a low level of the mineral significantly weakens the stabilizing ligaments that surround and support your joints. As a result, the joints become unstable and subject to an increased risk of subluxation, dislocation, and injury. Patients who increase their intake of manganese or manganese-containing foods will very often notice they need far fewer adjustments.

With the right diet, you can get adequate amounts of manganese if its absorption isn't blocked or suppressed by such things as sodas. Chronic liver or gallbladder disorders or excessive sweating can also contribute to low levels. Some of the most manganese-rich foods (pineapple, spinach, mustard and collard greens, long grain brown rice, and various kinds of beans and legumes) are not the dietary staples they were in years past.

I would recommend checking your multivitamin/mineral supplement to make sure it has at least 5 mg of this mineral. Avoid sodas like the plague, and start to include more green leafy vegetables and beans in your diet to help save your joints.