Cartilage: can it be repaired?

Cartilage is a connective tissue found all over your body. It’s particularly found in your joints.

Spine, knee, hips for example.

If you are getting older, it is possible that you may have seen wear and tear in your cartilage. It could manifest as pain, difficulty in moving or turning.

So can you repair your cartilage?

To understand this, we first need to realize that cartilage is living tissue. It uses oxygen and nutrition just like any other living cell in your body.

An important component of cartilage is called chondroitin. Chondroitin works by helping to maintain the structural integrity and hydration of cartilage.

It draws water into the tissue and helps produce cells that help repair and regeneration. It is also anti-inflammatory and inhibits enzymes that damage your cartilage.  

So how can we promote chondroitin?

Sulfur is an essential component of chondroitin and is found in various vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, garlic, cabbage, and onions. Other supplements like vitamin D and turmeric can help.

These foods can help provide the necessary building blocks for cartilage production and repair. 

Reduce your weight to reduce the load on your cartilage. Strengthen the muscles around the knee and hip. As I have said before, if your muscles are weak, your joints take the load.

One of the best things you can do is low intensity, low-load activity. In particular, cycling, walking and rowing, all of which activate your lower body, really helps.

Repetitive low-intensity activity promotes the production of chondroitin. So contrary to popular belief, walking is great for your knees.

Just remember that your goal is not to win the Olympics while exercising. It is to be moderate and repetitive in your activity. Even a fifteen-minute walk twice a day is great in this case.

Most importantly, don’t let anyone tell you that your cartilage, once damaged, cannot be repaired.

All living tissue can be repaired with the right intervention.

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