Overweight women are nearly 4 times more likely to develop knee osteoarthritis.
Obesity and Osteoarthritis
Did you know that being only 10 pounds overweight increases the force on the knee by 30-60 pounds with each step? Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint pain disorder with symptoms in the hands, knees, hips, back and neck. Overweight women are nearly 4 times more likely to develop knee osteoarthritis and for overweight men, the risk is 5 times greater!
Research
Being overweight is a definitive risk factor for developing osteoarthritis. In a study out of Framingham, MA, overweight individuals in their 30’s who did not yet have knee OA were found to be at greater risk of developing the disease later in life. Another study from the University of Ulm in Germany found a clear association between osteoarthritis of the knee and obesity. A research team in Melbourne, Australia concluded that, “The obesity epidemic occurring in developed countries is likely to have a significant impact on the future demands for knee and hip replacements for OA and understanding the mechanism of action will be important in effective prevention of OA.”
Benefits of Weight Loss
Even small amounts of weight loss reduce the risk of developing osteoarthritis. Preliminary studies suggest that weight loss decreases pain substantially in those specifically with knee OA. The Framingham study concluded that if obese men lost enough weight to fall into the overweight category and men in the overweight category lost enough weight to move into the normal weight category, knee OA would decrease by 21.5%. Similar changes in weight category by women would result in a 33% decrease in knee OA.
Glucosamine
While you’re losing weight, you can also help alleviate the painful symptoms of osteoarthritis with a glucosamine cream. A clinical study published in the Journal of Rheumatology found that participants who used a topical glucosamine cream experienced significant relief from knee pain. Glucosamine Cream from Dr. Newton’s Naturals offers fast, transdermal relief from joint and muscle pain. You’ll feel a difference in as little as 15 minutes!