Eyes on the Early: Detecting Osteoarthritis Before Damage Strikes

I’ve been reading about studies pushing the boundaries of early osteoarthritis (OA) detection, like a blood test that identifies key biomarkers up to 8 years before X-rays show damage (with ~77% accuracy), and promising AI-aided MRI analyses that spot subtle tissue changes long before diagnosis. This matters because catching OA early opens a critical window to intervene, through tailored lifestyle, medical, or physical therapy strategies, before pain or irreversible joint damage sets in.

What OA Is — And How It Shows Up
The textbook definition of osteoarthritis is the gradual breakdown of the cartilage that cushions your joints, often triggered by a mix of aging, injury, genetics, and everyday wear and tear. Early changes can be invisible, including microscopic fraying of cartilage, mild inflammation in the joint lining, and subtle shifts in joint fluid chemistry. However, all I need to do is look at my knees, hands, and feet to “get it.” OA is more than a medical description. It’s the knee that won’t bend going down stairs, the rings that suddenly feel too tight, and the stiffness we feel getting up from a chair.

Why Early Matters
By the time OA shows up on an X-ray, much of the cartilage damage is already done and can’t be reversed. That’s why these early-detection tools are so exciting: they could give us a head start, when lifestyle changes, exercise, medications, or assistive devices have the best chance to preserve mobility and keep us doing the things we love. While the science is still in early stages and needs broader testing, it could transform how we prevent and manage this all-too-common condition.

Meet a Fellow Reinvention Rebel

Over the years, people have often referred to me as the Queen of Reinvention. I tend to push myself into uncharted territory, taking on new challenges and embracing the possibility of change. That willingness has led me through three distinct professional chapters, from technology training to leadership development to my current life’s work in public health and gerontology, a journey I’m now deepening by pursuing a doctorate in public health.

So you can imagine my delight when I met someone else with a similar spark—a kindred spirit who sees aging not as an ending, but as a beginning. That someone is Wendy Battles, host of the Reinvention Rebels podcast.

Wendy and I connected through the Age-Wise Collective, a network of podcasters who are passionate about improving the well-being of people over 50, with a special emphasis on women. We come from different backgrounds but share a common belief: the second half of life can be the most powerful, creative, and joyful chapter yet.

And Wendy? She embodies that belief in every way.

Wendy describes herself as a Midlife Reinvention Architect—a woman who not only reinvented herself but now helps others do the same. On her podcast, Reinvention Rebels, she interviews bold, inspiring women between the ages of 50 and 90+ who have reimagined what’s possible in midlife and beyond.

From launching new careers in their 60s, to traveling solo in their 70s, to rocking an unapologetic style and joy in their 80s, these women are defying convention and rewriting the aging narrative. Each episode is a lesson in courage, self-expression, and thriving at any age.

Wendy’s message is clear:
Reinvention isn’t just possible—it’s powerful.

🎧 Listen and be inspired at ReinventionRebels.com or on your favorite podcast platform. it will change the way you think about aging—and what’s still ahead.

5 Things Better Than A Cortisol Cocktail

As someone who studies and speaks about the science of stress and its impact on the body, I was a little appalled to read the recent buzz about “Cortisol Cocktails” as a stress reliever. Have you heard of them?

This trendy tonic, typically made with orange juice, salt, and cream of tartar, is being promoted on social media as a miracle cure for “adrenal fatigue” and hormone imbalances.

Here’s the problem: Adrenal fatigue isn’t a medically recognized condition, and there is no scientific evidence that this cocktail does anything meaningful for your cortisol levels.

Science is Your Best Bet for Stress Resilience

As fun as a wellness ritual might sound, this one falls short. Cortisol is a real hormone with a real function, and there are effective ways to support it. Here’s what works better and has the science to back it.

1. Reduce Processed Food
Highly processed foods, such as chips, sugary snacks, and fast food, can spike your blood sugar and contribute to inflammation, which in turn disrupts cortisol balance. Reducing processed food is a powerful way to support both mood and hormone health.

2. Get Morning Sunlight
Exposure to sunlight within 60 minutes of waking helps reset your internal clock. That’s because our body’s natural rhythm runs a little longer than 24 hours, so we need light each day to stay in sync with the world around us. Morning light also helps stimulate serotonin, a neurotransmitter that promotes calmness and focus.

3. Add Morning Movement
A short walk in morning light is a double win: it energizes the body and reinforces your natural awakening response. Movement also helps us sleep better; there is a bi-directional relationship between exercise and sleep.

4. Connect with Others
Supportive connection matters. A heartfelt conversation, a hug, or even shared laughter can stimulate oxytocin, the “bonding hormone,” which helps your body feel safe and eases the stress response over time.

5. Just Breathe
Just 2–3 minutes of deep breathing, meditation, or gratitude can activate your parasympathetic nervous system, which is your body’s built-in calm-down switch.

Top Takeaway

Cortisol balance isn’t found in your blender. It’s built over time through good habits, including sleep, sunlight, movement, healthy eating, and connection. That’s your real daily “cocktail” and dozens of evidence-based studies show it works!