The (not so) Hidden Links Between Metabolic Health, Joints, Tendons and Longevity

Our overall health affects our tendons, ligaments and joints far more than you realize.

When we think about musculoskeletal disorders – be it joint pain, muscle stiffness, or tendon issues – the immediate assumption often leans towards mechanical wear and tear. It’s easy to attribute aching knees or a stiff shoulder to the physical demands placed upon our bodies over the years. However, this perspective overlooks a crucial element in the equation of bodily health: our metabolic health.

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A significant percentage of atraumatic adult joint and tendon pain isn’t due to an issue in the joint per se. It is just another manifestation or downstream side effect of poor metabolic health.

That statement is a lot to take in and process. We understand how high cholesterol, uric acid, and blood sugar can cause blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, and strokes… yet we find it hard to imagine that they cause inflammation and changes in our tendons and joints.

Medical research is increasingly highlighting the powerful link between metabolic health and our musculoskeletal system. This relationship extends far beyond diabetes and cardiovascular disease—it affects our joints, muscles, and overall mobility. It affects our structure, function, rate of injury, and the severity of the pain we experience. In this piece, we’ll explore what metabolic health means and how it quietly, but profoundly, shapes physical function, resilience, and threatens long-term mobility.

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Understanding Metabolic Health

Metabolic health is more than the absence of disease—it’s a dynamic state that reflects how well your body manages energy. It includes blood sugar control, lipid balance, and low levels of systemic inflammation. When these systems are in sync, the body runs smoothly. However, when they fall out of balance, the consequences ripple far beyond metabolism alone, affecting everything from our longevity and healthspan to joint integrity, muscle strength, pain, and recovery. Some key examples of this are: