Hyaluronic acid
Recommended for: Preventing and reducing joint pain & inflammation | Dry Eyes | improving moisture levels in dehydrated skin | anti aging skin supplement | reduce the prominence of wrinkles
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a long, stringy, gel-like disaccharide composed of alternating molecules of Glucosamine and Glucuronic Acid and is responsible for the viscoelastic behaviour of Synovial Fluid (“joint oil”) and the hydration and elastic strength of cartilage.
A lack of HA in body joints can set in process the progressive wear and tear leading to cartilage destruction, joint pain, reduced flexibility and osteoarthritis. HA can help with healing because it provides the cushioning between the joints that then enables cartilage to re-stabilize, whereas a lack of HA causes pain in movement and keeps the joint chronically inflamed leading to progressive wear.
Levels of hyaluronic acid have been found to be lower than normal in people suffering from dry eye syndrome and there is justification in the use of this supplement for this concern as well as helping to alleviate vaginal dryness.
Hyaluronic Acid works to plump up the skin cells of the body helping to erase fine lines and wrinkles. Levels of this decline with age and may be 50% less by the age of 40. As a protein, it can hold 1000 times its own weight in water and hence it is excellent at plumping up and hydrating the skin cells. A primary cause of degeneration of the collagen network of the skin is the decreased levels of hydrated hyaluronic acid, which supports the collagen network. Restoring hyaluronic acid plumps the skin cells and restores moisture in all the tissues of the body.
In an article “HA: How To Live 100 Years Without Growing Old” the author, Bill Sardi, describes HA as a revolutionary natural molecule that stops or even reverses ageing and that HA is the modern day “fountain of youth”. He writes that HA helps to erase fine facial ageing lines and wrinkles and can produce wound healing without scarring.
