TORONTO, Ont. – The Arthritis Society of Canada has launched a new campaign to make the public aware of the condition.

One of Canada’s leading clinical rheumatologists, Dr. William Brensen, spoke with 680news to shed some light on what can be done to prevent arthritis at any age.

“If you eat right, if you look after yourself, if you exercise appropriately, if you’re appropriate with your lifestyle – don’t smoke, lose weight – those things will help preserve your joints.”

Dr. Brensen said anyone affected with arthritis can regain control of their lives by learning as much as they can about the particular type of arthritis they suffer from.

World-renowned interior designer Debbie Travis has also partnered up with the Arthritis Society. She is helping to educate the public on the importance of maintaining strong bones.

Travis said women, especially 35 and over, need to pay attention to the signs of arthritis. Travis said that calcium pills should be avoided.

“They’re finding that the calcium pills create build-up and do more harm than good,” Travis explained. “I prefer calcium through food and not through pills.”

She also said eating fish, cheeses and plenty of natural vitamins are helpful in avoiding arthritis. As an official spokesperson for the society, Travis encourages diet and exercise to prevent arthritis.

Joints like wrists, fingers, knees, feet and ankles are important foundations for our bodies. However, like the structural damage which can affect the foundation of a house, the joints in our bodies can also suffer similar damage due to both rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Debbie Travis was in Toronto on Tuesday to stress the importance of maintaining a strong foundation, both at your home and in your body, and to provide tips on how to keep your joint ‘interior’ looking and functioning well.

Four-million Canadians are affected by arthritis.