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The foundation of your body rests on the health of your bones, cartilage, and joints. These critical tissues are the reason you can bend your arm, squat low to the ground, and stand up straight. Our co-founder, Dr. Robert Marshall, Ph.D., investigates discusses how to best support your bones, joints, and cartilage health in this episode of the Healthline Now radio show.
“The bones demand a strong mineral metabolism in order to be healthy, and as a child, achieving this goal is usually easy,” Dr. Marshall explains. “As you slowly go down the road of old age, you may find that you lose more and more of your bone density. Since this can negatively impact your overall quality of life further on down the road, you want to correct it as soon as possible.”
The goal is to be sure that you have a sufficient intake of minerals. How can you tell? Dr. Marshall describes how to monitor your mineral levels: “The unit of measure is your first morning urine pH. This is your barometer to tell you whether you are experiencing healthy pH levels or not. If you can consistently hold a pH of 6.4 to 7.0 from day to day, then you have a healthy physiology and are in good health. This is the green zone, 6.4 to 7.0, that you want to be in. The longer you wait before correcting a pH outside of this zone, the harder it becomes to move that pH back into the green zone.”
Why should you measure your urine pH?
pH basically measures how acid or alkaline your body fluids are. The goal is to consistently get your first morning urine pH between 6.4 and 7.0 as seen on pH tape. (To do this, you simply catch a small amount of your first morning, mid-stream urine in a cup, then dip some pH tape into the fluid and read the resulting number). The color of the paper changes depending on how acid or alkaline your urine is. If your pH is below 6.4, this is considered to be too acid – some dietary changes may be in order.
By identifying your pH level (usually with urine – but also saliva) at any given time, you can become aware of how the pH levels of your body fluids are affecting your health. It helps you become aware of your current level of health as related to the lifestyle choices you are making and helps you determine whether these choices are health enhancing – or not. This is important because it gives you feedback (positive or negative) – and when necessary, helps inspire you to change your choices so you can upgrade your health. In general, urine pH tells you how your body is responding to your daily diet and life’s stresses. Saliva pH is often an indication of oral health.
What nutrients can you use to support bone, joint, and cartilage health?
Dr. Marshall relies upon vitamin K as his first “go to” bone and joint support nutrient. “Vitamin K offers stellar support for the joints and connective tissue, offering real, powerful support for bones, joints, and cartilage.”
In addition to vitamin K, ingredients such as willow bark, sodium hyaluronate, and Andrographis paniculata, the “King of Bitters,” can help support musculoskeletal tissues, including joints. These nutrients help to protect and support the growth and health of connective tissues, keeping your body in the optimal range.
