Hyaluronic acid, or hyaluronan, is a glycosaminoglycan found especially in the fluid of the joints, in cartilage and in the skin. It is obtained either from bacteria or from rooster combs. A more well-known glycosaminoglycan is chondroitin sulfate; a main difference between the two being that hyaluronic acid does not contain sulfur. Hyaluronic acid has found a number of applications, including joint health, skin health and in certain eye and plastic surgeries. Always consult a doctor before trying a new supplement.
Joint Health
Hyaluronic acid is found both in the synovial joint fluid and in joint cartilage. As a component of the fluid, it has a role in lubrication and in delivering nutrients to the cartilage; as a component of the cartilage, it is important in the structure of the joint. As reported in the November 2007 issue of the "Journal of the American Osteopathic Association," injections of hyaluronic acid are used in clinical practice for osteoarthritic knee pain.
Oral Form
In the past it was thought that oral hyaluronic acid would not be absorbed from the intestines without being degraded, and therefore of little use. Few studies have investigated oral hyaluronic acid, however a rodent study reported in the February 2007 issue of "World Journal of Gastroenterology," found that this form is indeed absorbed from the intestines as is, and therefore could be beneficial.
Wound Healing
Hyaluronic acid is also found in the skin, and the August 2009 issue of the "Journal of Investigative Dermatology" reports that following trauma, its concentration in the epidermis rapidly increases up to sevenfold. This increased concentration was observed to spread considerably from the wound area. The authors note that from this observation, there might be an indication that hyaluronic acid can be used to speed up wound healing. In fact, it is already being used in wound dressings and cosmetic preparations.
Eye Health
Another area in the body where hyaluronic acid is present in significant amounts is the eye, both in the cornea and in the fluid. Hyaluronic acid-based eye drops are used to aid dry eyes, and is used during eye surgeries to keep the eyes lubricated. Hyaluronic acid is also found in eyewash solutions for inflamed eyes, such as pink eye. In addition, the 2004 issue of the "British Journal of Ophthalmology" reports that hyaluronic acid can promote corneal wound healing in a similar way that it promotes skin wound healing.
References
- "Journal of the American Osteopathic Association"; Managing Osteoarthritic Knee Pain; MC. Barron et Al; November 2007
- "World Journal of Gastroenterology"; Oral Absorption Of Hyaluronic Acid And Phospholipids Complexes In Rats; SL. Huang et Al; February 2007
- "Joutnal of Investigative Dermatology"; Hyaluronan Accumulation In Wounded Epidermis: A Mediator of Keratinocyte Activation; RH. Tammi et Al; August 2009
- "British Journal of Ophthalmology"; Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid) Promotes Migration Of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells in Vitro; JAP. Gomes et al; 2004
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