Put Joint Health into Focus + Tips How To be a Funcle

The only thing better than being an uncle is being a funcle.

A funcle is a “fun uncle.” And for the past 15 years, I’ve played the part for my niece Emma. She’s a precocious kid who loves playing soccer, drawing, and TikTok. And because I don’t have to do the heavy lifting of raising an amazing young lady, I get to be the guy who takes her hiking, out to movies, and to anything that involves ice cream.

But Emma isn’t the only one getting older. Long walks around the neighborhood (or the local mall) are easier for her than me these days—probably has something to do with fewer miles on her knees. To make sure I can keep up, I’ve taken steps to care for my joints.

Bone Up on Joint Health

Joints are the skeletal hinges that make movement possible. Simply defined, a joint is the area where two bones connect, or make contact. Joints make us dynamic and flexible. Think of making a fist. When you contract your hand, flexion occurs. Spread your fingers out, and you’re practicing extension.

From your neck to your ankles, joints give our bones the range of movement to perform a variety of tasks. Helping your joints are ligaments and tendons. Tendons attach muscle to bone. Ligaments link bone to bone.

Let’s consider making a fist again. In the human hand—the wrist, palm, and fingers—there are 27 bones, 27 joints, 34 muscles, and over 100 ligaments and tendons. Needless to say, a lot goes on to simply clench your fingers.

As we age, ligaments can decrease in strength and elasticity. So, it’s important to continue moving—even simple activities like stretching can keep your joints healthy. Try these tips to help your joints stay active and flexible:

• Stand tall: Good posture doesn’t just boost your confidence, it helps protect your joints, too. Slouching or slumping puts a lot of pressure on your joints. Standing or sitting tall, shoulders back, allows your body to more evenly distribute the weight your joints carry.
• Get moving: We all know exercise is great. Engaging your muscles is good for cardiovascular health and essential to keep joints from stiffening up. Try low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, and cycling for all the health benefits, without the aching or soreness.
• Find your optimal weight: Extra weight in your midsection puts more pressure on your joints. For every extra kilo of weight you carry, you add five extra kilos while moving. Achieving a healthy weight will reduce the stress on your joints.
• Eat right: Fuel your body with healthy foods rich in calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D like dairy, oily fish, cabbage, kale, and dark greens. They contain nutrients your joints need for optimal performance. And don’t forget to add in lean proteins to support your muscles.
• Take Supplements: Even with a healthy diet, sometimes your body may not get the nutrients  it needs. Give it an extra boost through nutritional supplements like glucosamine and the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil.

A Powerful Yellow Pill

To keep up with my niece, I’ve been eating right, working out, and I’ve added Procosamine to my daily regimen. Procosamine is a supplement designed to assist optimal joint health. And unlike any other joint supplement, it’s made with InCelligence technology. The powerful combination of vitamin C, manganese, and InCelligence Joint-Support Complex in Procosamine provides the building blocks for healthy movement.

Vitamin C supports collagen development essential to good joint health. Your tendons, ligaments, skin, and muscles are made of collagen, which provides strength and stability to your connective tissue. Procosamine has 75 mg of vitamin C per tablet. It also contains manganese to help strengthen collagen and play a role in the production of synovial fluid.

Best of all, Procosamine has glucosamine and Meriva. USANA’s Joint-Support Complex uses a special vegetarian glucosamine to aid in lubrication and maintain healthy joint function. Unlike most glucosamine supplements made from shellfish or other animal-based ingredients, Procosamine is safe for vegetarians. Add Meriva, a powerful antioxidant made with curcumin, and you’ll give your joints the necessary nutrition to get up and moving.

The Flexible Uncle

My sister gives me a hard time for spoiling Emma, but it comes with the territory. As a funcle, I make sure to always bring the fun when hanging out with my nieces and nephews. Weekend adventures leave me sore on Mondays, but taking steps to improve my health and support my joints has made me better at keeping the good times rolling.

Adding Procosamine is a gamechanger. I feel the difference, and it shows when Emma and I head out for a day of fun. If you’re looking to join the ranks of the funcles or jaunts (jolly aunts).