Hyaluronic Acid HA and Dehydration
Hyaluronic acid plays
an important role in tissue dehydration, lubrication and cellular
function. It is produced in the body naturally, however, over time, as
with all vitamins and nutrients in the body, the synthesis of Hyaluronic
Acid diminishes. In fact, the half-life of Hyaluronic Acid in the
cartilage is 2-3 weeks, and only 1 day in the skin.
When the decline in
hyaluronic acid synthesis begins to happen, you may experience joint
discomfort, wrinkles and a tendency to get sick frequently.
Hyaluronic Acid
Benifits
When there is a
constant supply of Hyaluronic Acid running through your body, you will
experience:
· Hyaluronic
acid provides a cushion effect between the joints. You are able
to move easier and feel less pain.
· Hyaluronic
acid provides a "reservoir of water" within the skin. Suddenly,
you find you have more elasticity in your skin and it feels
softer.
· Hyaluronic
acid reduces bacterial infections. Hyaluronic Acid has been
found to raise the white cell count in your bloodstream.
Hyaluronic Acid: The Fountain of Youth?
You may have heard of hyaluronic
acid, or HA. It was
famously introduced to the public on Primetime television by ABC’s Connie
Chung, who
investigated the longevity and youthfulness of the Japanese population
of the village of Yuzuri Hara. The villagers not only live longer, but
are also healthier with a lower incidence of age-associated diseases
such as arthritis, dementia, diabetes and cancer. Interestingly, they
are also relatively wrinkle-free, and have smooth, unblemished skin well
into their 80s. So what is the secret? According to Japanese
starchy Japanese tubers in their diet may promote the production ofhyaluronic
acidin the body, a compound that usually declines with age.
In fact, hyaluronic acids found throughout your body, as it forms part of the structural connective
tissue that holds together tissues. HA is a fundamental component of the extracellular matrix, which occupies the
area between cells. Almost half of the body’s HA is located in the collagen of the skin, acting as a moisture-retaining gel.
It is also found in the heart, eyes (vitreous humor), joints (synovial fluid), tendons and ligaments. Recent studies have shown that HA even
plays an important role in brain development. A
growing perception of hyaluronic acid scientific
studies and hyaluronic acid research is that it is vital in the structural development and natural regeneration processes of the body.
With such a widespread occurrence, it is logical that HA also
has multiple functions. Scientific studies have shown that hyaluronic acid improves skin hydration, works as an antioxidant
and free-radical scavenger, and stimulates the production of collagen in skin. also keeps tissues elastic, protecting joints from repeated stresses. Other
studies have shown that hyaluronic acid has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammation properties. Ironically, the
molecule itself has a short lifespan and must be frequently produced by cells to replace lost hyaluronic
acid. With age, the production of HA declines, which may contribute to many of the diseases that are commonly
associated with aging.
To take advantage of hyaluronic acid’s regenerative properties, doctors and surgeons use the compound in treating a range of
disorders. For example, HA is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis combating
pain and promoting the production of cartilage and the repair of joint connective tissues. Ultimately, patients not only have a
speedier recovery period, but also a more complete range of movement when HA is administered. Studies have shown that the compound significantly improves the outcome
for osteoarthritis patients, and is good for joint health in general In combination, glucosamine and hyaluronic acid have
been found to reduce arthritic pain, and reverse cartilage loss in joints. In addition, there are many skin conditions that can be improved
by HA, from
major skin trauma recovery and burns to bruises. HA is used during eye surgery as well as to treat periodontitis and
cardiovascular disorders. The most common application of the compound is in skin imperfections and wrinkles.
With such wonderful properties, you may be wondering, is hyaluronic acid for sale ? Very few foods
and herbs containing hyaluronic acid have been identified, but the compound is present in starchy tubers and meat
products rich in connective tissue, such as rooster combs. Reviews of hyaluronic acid supplements and
their uptake show that the naturally occurring molecule is not easily absorbed from the gut due to its size, and therefore the
oral supplements are not as effective as hoped. This is because the larger HA molecule
is broken into smaller, more easily absorbed molecules in the digestive tract. There are many HA
supplements made to be taken orally, but these have been found to be less effective than injected hyaluronic
acid. Hyaluronic acid in the injectible form is available in the popular skin
care compounds
that are used to reduce wrinkles. Other forms of topical hyaluronic
acid serum are also used as anti-wrinkle agents.
However,
injecting or taking supplements are not the only way to increase hyaluronic acid levels in your
body. Overall, eating a diet rich in whole foods, combined with exercise and a healthier lifestyle, and reducing your consumption of processed
foods will boost levels of hyaluronic acid throughout the body. It is much better to focus on overall health than on just taking
one supplement, so even if you use a HA supplement, strive to live a healthier lifestyle. Remember that the long-living Japanese villagers
that were the focus of Primetime’s special did not take supplements, but rather had a varied diet of natural foods, combined with a healthy
lifestyle. Therefore, it is likely that the regenerative processes in the body are less likely to be triggered by supplements than by natural
foods.
References
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K (2008). Hyaluronic acid: hope in a jar? Better
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Karlsson J, Sjögren LS, Lohmander LS. (2004)
Comparison of two hyaluronan drugs and placebo in patients with knee
osteoarthritis: a controlled, randomized, double-blind,
parallel-design multicenter study. Rheumatology41(11):
1240-8.
Laurent TC, Fraser JR. (1992) Hyaluronan. FASEB
Journal. 6(7): 2397-2404.
Nathan
C. (2002) Points of control in inflammation. Nature.420:
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