Bone & joint healthFitness & exerciseNutritionHealthy aging

How to boost your joint health and lengthen your life

Expert-approved foods, moves, and tips to help you become more flexible.


LearnBone & jointBone & joint healthHow to boost your joint health and lengthen your life
Set small, doable weight-loss goals
“Move naturally” and keep moving
Try joint-friendly exercises
Stretch to stay limber and prevent injuries
Take standing breaks at work
Eat more fatty fish
Snack on fresh cherries
Be careful with supplements

1 of 9

Joint pain is commonly seen as an unavoidable side effect of aging—and is too often why people skip activities they love. But becoming older doesn’t have to mean aching joints or not being able to exercise.

An active lifestyle, including regular exercise, is one of the best ways to boost joint health. Read on for other healthy habits that can strengthen your joints.

Sources: Harvard Health Publishing. Why weight ma... + 19
  1. Harvard Health Publishing. Why weight matters when it comes to joint pain. December 11, 2019.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How Overweight and Obesity Impacts Your Health. Accessed September 8, 2024.
  3. Ungvari Z, Fazekas-Pongor V, Csiszar A, Kunutsor SK. The multifaceted benefits of walking for healthy aging: from Blue Zones to molecular mechanisms. Geroscience. 2023 Dec;45(6):3211-3239.
  4. Cleveland Clinic. Why You Wake Up With Stiff Joints. June 28, 2023.
  5. Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center. Osteoarthritis: Signs and Symptoms. Page accessed September 8, 2024.
  6. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition. PDF accessed September 8, 2024.
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How Do I Exercise Safely With Arthritis? Page last reviewed April 6, 2022.
  8. La Greca S, Rapali M, Ciaprini G, et al. Acute and Chronic Effects of Supervised Flexibility Training in Older Adults: A Comparison of Two Different Conditioning Programs. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Dec 17;19(24):16974.
  9. Arntz F, Markov A, Behm DG, et al. Chronic Effects of Static Stretching Exercises on Muscle Strength and Power in Healthy Individuals Across the Lifespan: A Systematic Review with Multi-level Meta-analysis. Sports Med. 2023 Mar;53(3):723-745.
  10. Arthritis Foundation. Get in the Habit of Stretching. Page accessed September 9, 2024.
  11. Harvard Health Publishing. The importance of stretching. April 17, 2024.
  12. Laskowski, Edward. “What are the risks of sitting too much?” Mayo Clinic. July 13, 2022.
  13. Harvard Health Publishing. The dangers of sitting. May 23, 2019.
  14. American Heart Association. Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Page last reviewed November 1, 2021.
  15. Rath, Linda. “Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Your Health.” Arthritis Foundation. Page last updated December 8, 2022.
  16. Tański W, Świątoniowska-Lonc N, Tabin M, et al. The Relationship between Fatty Acids and the Development, Course and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Nutrients. 2022 Feb 28;14(5):1030.
  17. Rath, Linda. “Are Cherries a Cure for Gout?” Arthritis Foundation. December 14, 2022.
  18. Fonseca LRS, Silva GR, Luís Â, et al. Sweet Cherries as Anti-Cancer Agents: From Bioactive Compounds to Function. Molecules. 2021 May 15;26(10):2941.
  19. Mayo Clinic. Glucosamine. August 10, 2023.
  20. Mayo Clinic. Fish Oil. August 10, 2023.
Written by Rose Hayes, MA, RN.
Medically reviewed by Megan Burke, MD.August, 2024
Updated onAugust, 2026
Written by Rose Hayes, MA, RN.
Medically reviewed by Megan Burke, MD.August, 2024
Updated onAugust, 2026
AskMDAskMD

Curious about Bone & joint health?

Get instant answers from our AI health assistant

Ask Now

Recommended for you

Add these to a healthy diet to help prevent and soothe joint pain.

10 foods your joints love
Slideshow

Stop living with achy and painful hip, knee and shoulder joints.

Achy joints? 5 ways to get some relief
Article

These physical therapist-approved moves could help with achy, stiff joints.

Simple stretches to ease joint pain
Article

These everyday foods could be a hidden source of joint pain.

How to avoid the worst foods for joint pain
Article

Research suggests that staying limber as you age may be linked to more supple arteries.

How increasing your flexibility improves heart health
Article
AskMDHow can I be more consistent?
AskMD by Sharecare LogoAskMD by Sharecare Logo
Privacy policyConsumer health data privacyTerms of use
Cookie policyYour privacy choices

© 2026 Sharecare, Inc.

ask-mdask-md
AskMD by Sharecare LogoAskMD by Sharecare Logo
Privacy policyConsumer health data privacyTerms of use
Cookie policyYour privacy choices

© 2026 Sharecare, Inc.