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Stability: The Cornerstone of Mobility

By Allyson AV Johnson. Mobility reflects our health, lifespan, and self-expression. To achieve true mobility, it is essential to first establish stability within the body. Stability forms the foundation for living well and enables us to move freely and confidently.

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Cultivating Stability

To foster stability, it is important to create an environment that supports it. This environment should be rich in oxygen, promote healthy circulation, facilitate lymphatic movement, and ensure robust mitochondrial activity. Collectively, these factors contribute to what is commonly referred to as the alkaline factor.

In addition to embracing the alkaline factor, stability requires minimizing influences that destabilize the body, such as sources of inflammation, and increasing nutrients and variables that encourage stability, like anti-inflammatories. Dietary choices, lifestyle habits, minimizing trauma, and effective stress management are all critical elements in supporting stability.

A solid foundation in nutrition is essential for enduring stability. Consider whether you are getting the essential nutrients from your diet and supplements to support both stability and mobility.

Building Stability

Once stability is established, attention can be shifted to enhancing mobility. This includes movement in joints, tissues, digestive processes, and the entire body system. It is important to evaluate how you want and need to move and identify strategies to boost mobility, including exercise, targeted supplementation, addressing trauma (injury), and degeneration.

Let us examine each element in greater detail.

Foundations of Stability

a) The Alkaline Factor

Increased cellular oxygen enables cells, tissues, organs, and joints to function optimally.

  • Whole Foods: Directly sourced from nature, whole foods are fresh and local, possessing alkaline properties. Rich greens, abundant in chlorophyll—the site of oxygen production—are especially effective allies in supporting alkalinity.

b) Inflammation

Inflammation in the body, tissues, organs, or joints impairs movement and function.

  • Main inflammatory triggers: Avoid foods that directly cause inflammation and disrupt hormones. These foods not only create pain, swelling, and degeneration but also reduce the healing process and deregulate stress response. Common triggers include sugar, processed foods, alcohol, dairy, meat, artificial sweeteners, colors, and dyes.
  • Beneficial foods: Incorporate foods that reduce inflammation and support healing. These foods help regulate hormones and promote a balanced stress response. Examples include turmeric, ginger, black cherry juice, alfalfa, celery, deep-rooted greens, and beet roots.
  • Stress management: All stress increases inflammation, and chronic stress severely impairs healing. Regular time spent in nature, reduced screen time, balanced exercise such as walking, yoga, and meditation can all support the body in managing stress. Calming essential oils like lavender, sage, and basil also aid in stress management.
  • Gut health: Inflammation in the gut, or foods and medications that decrease stomach acids, friendly bacteria, and proper fiber, can reduce regular bowel activity and detoxification, resulting in systemic inflammation. Bitters and bitter foods, probiotics, fermented foods, and a low sodium diet support gut health.

c) Nutritional Base

Essential minerals are vital for mobility. Magnesium supports muscle and nerve activity, calcium maintains bone strength, and trace minerals such as zinc, selenium, manganese, and copper contribute to cartilage repair and help reduce oxidative stress. These nutrients promote flexible, stable joints, especially when combined with vitamins D and K2 for optimal absorption and bone and joint health

Recommended Dietary Sources

  • Leafy Greens & Vegetables: Options include spinach, Swiss chard, kale, alfalfa, and beet tops.
  • Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds, chia, and flax are excellent choices.
  • Legumes & Whole Grains
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil)

Building stability allows us to truly focus on mobility.

Enhancing Mobility

Mobility Exercises:

These movements increase the range of motion and functional strength of joints, focusing on the hips, spine, knees, feet, and shoulders.

Mobility Tips:

Incorporate mobility exercise and breathing daily 5- 10 minutes up to 3x/ day

  • For sport specific – focus on warm up and cooldowns. As well as recovery – including hydration, core nutrients and protein to repair the muscles

Supplementation

Natural mobility supplements, such as glucosamine, chondroitin, turmeric/curcumin, MSM, and collagen, may help reduce inflammation, relieve joint pain, and enhance flexibility. These substances support the repair of cartilage and lubrication of joints. Boswellia helps relieve arthritis pain.

Key Natural Mobility Supplements

  • Glucosamine and Chondroitin: frequently used in sulphate forms, for osteoarthritis to support cartilage.
  • Turmeric/Curcumin: nature’s universal inflammatory and circulation support
  • MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane): A natural sulfur compound that may improve joint stiffness.
  • Collagen (Hydrolyzed Peptides): structural repair and support to cartilage and connective tissues.
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil): lubricates the joints, helps reduce stiffness.
  • Boswellia Serrata: An herbal extract used to counter inflammation and boost joint function. Very heavy in minerals and structural bone and tissue support
  • Hyaluronic Acid: allows for smooth movement of the joint through lubrication

These ingredients are available in capsules, powdered formulas, and topical products—often blended with essential oils and therapeutic nutrients.

Amplifying Mobility

With a solid foundation of stability, you can now amplify your mobility and pursue life’s greatest adventures.

*Please consult with a professional before starting any new supplement or workout regimen.*