7 Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid

Sometimes a supplement with the word ‘acid’ in its title can sound kind of invasive. This may be your first reaction when hearing about hyaluronic acid, an unassuming large carbohydrate filled molecule.

Then there’s the word carbohydrate which you’ve been avoiding like it was some weight gain monster. Well, good carbohydrates like this have been helping humans for decades, particularly in the form of chondroitin sulfate of the popular joint supplement: glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) comes from this family of glycosaminoglycans (gly-ko-sameeno-gly-cans) a group of molecules found to be an essential part of connective tissue.

These are found to naturally fill the spaces between skin tissue cells as well as other tissue and plays a major role in synovial fluid production. Synovial fluid lubricates and cushions joints and has also been found to benefit the vitreous humor, an essential structure which fills the eye’s inner chamber.

If you’ve got some aches and pains in places like your knees, elbows and fingers HA may be a beneficial joint supplement you have never heard of but may want to consider.

The Mobile Molecule

In 2012 Japanese researchers brought HA into the lab. According to their findings, published in Scientific World Journal (11/12), HA showed some promising results. Originally studied as administered by injection, this study wanted to see if HA made it to the joints through oral doses, particularly to the knees.

Researchers laced the supplement with a radiolabelled component so its journey could be monitored by computer. They found that not only did it show up in the skin, bone and synovial joints but it also remained there for long periods of time.

Once In Place

As HA made its way to these systemic locations, researchers concentrated on the knees of study patients previously diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA). It was found that the HA aided in mobility with less pain.

In their conclusion, the Japanese study reported that,

“…the results of the present study have shown that the oral administration of HA may have beneficial therapeutic effects on patients with symptomatic knee OA and may be even more beneficial for relatively young patients.”

The Unexpected

It turns out that HA begins working in the intestines before it is absorbed. Due to its high molecular weight, HA was found to,

“…increase the secretion of suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 (SOCS3), which leads to the suppression of proinflammatory cytokine expression.”

In other words, as HA remained in the intestines it began working as an anti-inflammatory before being absorbed into the bloodstream.

Rejuvenating Aging Skin

Cpmedical cites a 2011 study which reported that,

“After using the HA-based creams, the women experienced a significant improvement in skin hydration and overall elasticity compared to placebo. Measurements of wrinkle depth using mean roughness and maximum roughness values revealed significant improvement in the women…”

Rapid Wound Healing

Topical application of HA has been linked to protecting tissue from oxygen free-radical damage resulting in rapid wound healing.

According to a study published in the Journal of Wound Care (3/12),

“Hyaluronic acid cream was significantly more effective than the neutral vehicle in the local treatment of leg ulcers of venous or mixed aetiology, in terms of wound size reduction and reducing the burden of pain, with a good safety profile.”

Mouth Bacteria

Used for people suffering from chronic periodontitis (oral tissue inflammation), HA was applied in gel form.

Researchers from Switzerland’s Department of Periodontology, Laboratory of Oral Microbiology, Dental School, University of Bern found that,

“The adjunctive application of hyaluronan [HA] may have positive effects on PD [probing depth] reduction and may prevent recolonization by periodontopathogens.” (Journal of Periodontology 7/13)

Vaginal Dryness

Some women struggle with vaginal dryness which may sometimes be due to experiencing menopausal symptoms, medication side effects or hereditary results.

Recently, a team of Chinese researchers from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing found that,

“Hyaluronic acid vaginal gel may be considered as a valid alternative to estrogen-based treatments in relieving the symptoms of vaginal dryness.” (Journal of Sexual Medicine 6/13)

These 7 benefits of hyaluronic acid may help you. Talk to your doctor about taking a supplemental protocol to see if it may relieve some of your painful symptoms. The Journal of Applied Nutrition recommends taking no less than 500,000 daltons of HA for optimal results. In addition, it has been found that the best delivery system for oral absorption is through a lozenge that permeates mucous membranes of the mouth, tongue and gums.