Hyaluronic acid is a gel-like substance that occurs naturally in the body, with high concentrations in soft connective tissue. Hyaluronic acid is also found in joint fluids, cartilage and skin. Hyaluronic acid treatments commonly are derived from chicken combs, although some are synthetic. Synthetic forms are less likely to cause allergies or other negative reactions in people sensitive to animal products, according to the New Zealand Dermatological Society. Hyaluronic acid is available by injection for treating arthritis and for facial rejuvenation, and as an oral supplement.
Osteoarthritis Benefits
Osteoarthritis involves the wearing away of cartilage in and around a joint due to injury or general wear and tear over time. This results in friction and pain during movement. Hyaluronic acid injections provide lubrication and shock absorbency, help the joint work better and provide anti-inflammatory effects and long-term pain relief. These injections are a first-line treatment for knee osteoarthritis in combination with other conventional therapy, according to the Cleveland Clinic, and the process may help some patients avoid surgery. When used for arthritis, hyaluronic acid injections are called viscosupplementation. Injections are provided weekly and may take up to three months to work, after which results usually last six months or longer.
Skin Benefits
In skin tissue, hyaluronic acid allows transport of nutrients from the blood to skin cells, and hydrates, cushions and lubricates, providing protection against skin damage. Aging, along with exposure to ultraviolet light and pollutants, eventually degrades the skin's natural abundance of hyaluronic acid, as explained by the New Zealand Dermatological Society. Cosmetic hyaluronic acid treatments can help. In this procedure, a doctor uses tiny needles to inject the gel-like substance, filling in wrinkles and lines and adding moisture. The treatment takes 20 to 60 minutes, and typically requires light maintenance injections twice a year.
Oral Supplement Benefits
Hyaluronic acid oral supplements are promoted for enhancing skin health, and some oral supplements in acne treatment systems include this substance. The supplements also may be beneficial for arthritis, although Ray Sahelian, a physician who specializes in natural supplements, cautions that hyaluronic acid in oral form is unproven for the ability to enter joint tissue. During a study published in the January 21, 2008 issue of Nutrition Journal, patients with osteoarthritis of the knee took either oral hyaluronic supplements derived from chicken combs or a placebo. Participants in both groups reported statistically significant improvements in pain, stiffness and physical function. The authors note that improvements were greater in the hyaluronic acid group.
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