Hyaluronic Acid Supplements

Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is found naturally in the connective tissue between your joints and in the cells of your body. It is made synthetically from rooster combs, the big flap of skin on the rooster's head that swells up with hyaluronan as a testosterone response. Hyaluronic acid is used in a variety of therapeutic and cosmetic applications. Hyaluronic acid supplements vary depending on the intended usage.

Oral Supplements

Hyaluronic acid supplements, available as oral supplements, are used to treat various joint disorders. A placebo-controlled study of 20 subjects with osteoarthritis in the knee joint gave 10 patients 80 mg of oral hyaluronic acid from rooster combs and the other 10 patients a placebo over an eight-week period. The patients given the oral hyaluronic supplements showed significant improvements in pain, social functioning and physical functioning, according to lead researcher Douglas S. Kalman in the 2008 study published in the "Nutrition Journal." The study concluded that oral hyaluronic acid supplementation enhances quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis and warrants additional studies.

Injections

Hyaluronic acid injections are also used to treat osteoarthritis of the knee or hip joints, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. The hyaluronic acid is injected directly into the knee or hip joint to reduce pain and help lubricate the joint, making it more flexible. Three to five injections are necessary to achieve the desired result. Only a trained health professional can administer hyaluronic acid injections. Hyaluronic acid injections are also used in veterinary medicine to treat joint disorders in animals. In plastic surgery, cosmetic surgeons use hyaluronic acid injections as wrinkle fillers or lip fillers.

Skin Supplements

Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of skin and is used as an ingredient in skin creams to help transport nutrients to the skin while moisturizing. Hyaluronic acid has an amazing ability to hold moisture. It can retain water at 1,000 times its own weight, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. This ability is what helps keep the skin moisturized. Hyaluronic acid skin supplements are also used to help heal wounds, skin infections, burns, sores and skin ulcers. It comes in gel or cream form and is applied topically to the wound.

Sprays

Hyaluronic acid sprays are used in treating wounds. The infected area is sprayed lightly with the hyaluronic acid spray to promote healing. Make sure not to inhale the spray or use near a flame.

Eye Drops

Hyaluronic acid eye drops are used in surgery to protect the eye and as therapeutic eye drops for people with dry eye. A study by P. Troiano and G. Monaco published in the 2008 issue of "Cornea" found that hyaluronic eye drops were effective dry eye relievers. Hyaluronic acid eye drops have also been shown to improve the ocular surface of the eye, according to another study headed by M. Lester and published in the 2000 issue of "Eye."