Hyaluronic acid (HA, hyaluronan) is a special protein that exists naturally in all living organisms. In the human body, it is found in greatest concentrations in the synovial fluid of articular joints for lubrication, the vitreous humor (fluid) of the eye, and most abundantly in the skin. As we age, the body produces less Hyaluronic Acid. The joints become stiff and the movement painful, the skin becomes dry and wrinkly.
Hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate, hyaluronan, HA) is a special mucopolysacharide that exists naturally in all living organisms. In the human body, it is found in greatest concentrations in the synovial fluid of articular joints for lubrication, the vitreous humor (fluid) of the eye, and most abundantly in the skin. As we age, the body produces lesser and lesser Hyaluronic Acid. The joints become stiff, the movement painful and the skin becomes dry and wrinkly.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) was first discovered in 1934. HA is the principal compound in the body for retaining water in connective tissue, skin, and organs. HA is a component of collagen and can be derived and concentrated from collagen, but HA is created and degraded much more quickly in the body than most compounds. As we age, the ability to produce HA from within is gradually decreased. The ageing process is quite closely linked to this decrease in HA. For years, medical professionals have been using an injectable form of HA during eye surgery and into painful joints (synovial fluid normally has a high concentration of HA; painful joints do not have sufficient HA). Now researchers have proven that orally-administered Hyaluronic Acid will contribute directly to healthier skin, eyes, and joints. Less directly, but no less significantly, HA may help to hold back the entire degenerative process we call ageing.
The major potential benefit of hyaluronic acid is its support on osteoarthritis, skin conditions such as actinic keratose, wrinkles and fold. Hyaluronan preparations have shown to decrease pain but improve the mobility of patients suffered from knee osteoarthritis. The improvement in the condition is possibly related to alternations in the synovial fluid viscoelasticity, cartilage metabolism, and inflammation. High molecular weight hyaluronic acid (Hylan G-F 20) and low
molecular weight hyaluronic acid both benefit patients suffered from knee osteoarthritis.
Endoscopic Hyaluronic Acid/Dextranomer Gel Implantation was found to be effective as first-line treatment of vesicoureteral reflux in children. Hydrogel made of hyaluronic acid-poly-D lysine was found to be compatible to rat brain tissue as this hydrogel has an open porous structure and its viscoelastric properties are also similar to the neural tissue's. 1% hyaluronic acid gel associated with a collagen scaffold was found to benefit new bone formation in critical-size defects in a rat study.
Hyaluronic acid is a key component of the extracellular matrix and is known to be involved in the wound healing process. It has been shown to improve and accelerate the healing process of chronic wounds. An open-label study shows that application of hyaluronic acid could also improve the healing progression of acute wounds. Oxygen free-radicals are known to impair wound healing after ischaemia-reperfusion or polymorphonuclear cell stimulation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats with open wounds received phenazine methosulfate or zimosan, or had abdominal sepsis to induce oxygen
free-radical generation. Rats received hyaluronic acid cream, hyaluronic acid ethyl ester gel, or placebo treatment. Hyaluronic acid and its ethyl ester derivative significantly improved the wound healing of rats subjected to an increased generation of oxygen free-radicals. Thus, hyaluronic acid may benefit people suffered from certain skin conditions.
High molecular weight hyaluronic acid can not be absorbed to our body, only low molecular weight hyaluronic acid can be absorbed. It is not sure if the absorbed hyaluronic acid is able to diffuse to the joint to relieve the pain or to the skin to remove the wrinkles. However, some articles indicate
the benefits of the oral hyaluronic acid supplements. Because hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring chemical in our body, oral hyaluronic acid side effect is not expected at low doses for healthy adults.
Serum is the clear liquid separated from clotted blood, hyaluronic acid exists in serum. High hyaluronic acid concentration in serum may indicate some kinds of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Consequently, serum hyaluronic acid has even been suggested as a bio-marker for
arthritis. Schistosomiasis mansoni is a fibrogenic liver disease, in this disease, the serum concentrations of hyaluronic acid were found to be positively correlated with the severity of the periportal fibrosis. Serum hyaluronic acid concentration above a value of 52.0 ng/mL may indicate
liver fibrosis. Elevated serum hyaluronic acid concentration is really not a good sign. Hyaluronic acid in serum is also significantly higher in patients with gastric cancer. On the other hand, a few manufacturers markets call their hyaluronic acid topical products as "hyaluronic acid
serum". From their compositions, their products are likely semi-solid.
There are very few cases when a patient experiences side effects hyaluronic shot into the knee or at a particular body area. But, they are enough as a warning bell. There are many side effects due to hyaluronic knee injections or oral medications which have been noticed.
Sometimes people are injected with the hyaluronic acid gel which are supposed to be non-allergic and they definitely do not transfer animal diseases. However these injections can be painful, as they do not contain an important ingredient called lidocaine
Vitamin E supplements, aspirin, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and St John's Wort can actually increase the bleeding and swelling after the injection of hyaluronic acid. So it is advised to the patients to stop the intake of these kinds of drugs as least a week before the acid injection
Necrosis and acne are also some of the side effects that can be seen
Most of the time consumers feel a kind of dizziness and a feeling of faint quite severely
Blue color or a flush of red noticed after few doses
Problems in swallowing
Patient at times feel feverish
Pain at the place where hyaluronic acid has been injected
Skin rashes and irritation is also noticed
Swelling in the eyelids, face and lips
People often face difficulty in breathing
At times patient suffers from diarrhea
Sometimes, acute headache is experienced
Blue or purplish patches are seen on the skin
Loss of appetite accompanied with a nauseating or queasy feeling
Swelling of the knee can also be noticed
Stomach ache
Itching
Coughing
Stuffy nose
These were the various side effects of hyaluronic acid. However, more studies are required to firmly establish the short-term and long-term side effects of this medication.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you want to become or are pregnant or are breastfeeding before using this drug.
Reviewer: 55-64 Female on Treatment for less than 1 month (Consumer)
Comment: I am truly amazed how effective this supplement is. I saw a difference in my knee pain within a week.
Reviewer: 65-74 Female on Treatment for 2 to less than 5 years (Consumer)
Comment: I could hardly walk as my knees hurt so bad. Going up stairs wa very diffucult...as well as getting up and down out of chairs.....In less than a week I was walking normally with very little discomfort. This is an amazing product to take if you have osteo or rheumatoid arthritis!! Highly recommended!
Reviewer: 45-54 Female on Treatment for 6 months to less than 1 year (Consumer)
Comment: I have taken this for 6 months, 3 tabs a day for arthritic right knee and aching low back. No significant impact. May go back to MSM & Glucosamine.
Reviewer: 55-64 Male on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Consumer)
Comment: With heat rub, walking about 30 minutes and 3 pills a day, relieves pain in my hip area that has been diagnosed as arthritic. …
Reviewer: 55-64 Female on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Consumer)
Comment: Took it for 4 weeks instead of glucosamine. Did not work at all. My joints, especially back and feet, got horribly achy. ... Back on glucosamine with immediate positive results.
Reviewer: 65-74 Female on Treatment for less than 1 month (Consumer)
Comment: My knees were so sore that I couldn't go up stairs without pulling myself with the hand rail.....after taking H.A. I can now actually run up the stairs in our house. It is an awesome and wonderful drug!!!!!
Reviewer: 55-64 Female on Treatment for 5 to less than 10 years (Consumer)
Comment: I have Rheumetoid Arthritis, and had been takeing prednison, Plaquenil, and various other HARD prescriptions. I started HA, and withing 3 weeks I felt improvement. RA is debilitating and I know HA cannot stop it, but it really helps reduce pain. Used in conjunction with Methotrexate to stop joint damage, I feel I am doing the best I can for my body. I will always use H.A. as it keeps me off most of the Hard stuff.
Reviewer: 55-64 Female on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Consumer)
Comment: Started an oral hyaluronan gel ... about 2.5 months ago for sciatica and other hip/back pain after hip replacement. Feel remarkably better, able to walk 2+ miles pain free, sleep with less pain, able to work on range of motion in new hip. Would not be without this stuff. Also take gluc/chondroitin and fish oil.