Hyaluronic Acid      

Hyaluronic Acid Uses and Benefits

Date: 9th December 2008, Source: Hyaluronic News

Hyaluronic acid helps to hold water in the skin, providing essential moisture to body processes. HA helps control cell migration which protect cells and also activates the white cells. Since HA is an endogenous substance, it can be used to reduce the need for antibiotics by stimulating the immune system. HA helps reduce bacterial infections and has been found to inhibit the growth of a variety of strains of bacteria. It has also been concluded that HA even reduced the number of chronic bronchitis infections in patients.

There are many different options for supplementing your natural supply of Hyaluronic Acid. Currently, the most popular uses of Hyaluronic acid supplements and products are to combat signs of aging such as wrinkles and as therapy for certain joint ailments. Hyaluronic acid supplements also boast the ability to combat and help with everything from sexual dysfunction to sleep problems.

Some examples of reported Hyaluronic acid benefits:

Increased Mobility

Softer Skin

Faster Wound Healing

Fibromyalgia Relief

Retinal Lubrication

Clearer Vision

Dry Skin Relief

Dietary Benefits

Improved Sleep

Stabilized Emotions

Improved Vitality

Reduced Fine Lines

Hair Growth

Hair Color Restoration

Tissue Reconstruction

Improved Bone Density

Increased Mental Alertness

Improved Muscle Strength

Increased Sexual Potency

Strengthening of Internal Organs


Anti-Aging Supplements and Creams
As we age, Hyaluronic content in the skin changes due to two separate clinically proven factors, decrease in HA synthesis and shift from concentration from the epidermis to the dermis. These changes can leave the epidermis depleted in Hyaluronic acid resulting in thinning, aging, and decreased moisture in the skin. Nutritional supplement and beauty products such as Episilk ® contain ultra-high concentrations of Hyaluronic acid in order to provide intensive moisture for aged skin that suffers from the dryness and wrinkles. When applied to the skin, HA can penetrate the skin surface and replenish the natural levels already present. Like Hyaluronic acid produced in the body, Hyaluronic acid used in this form moisturizes from the dermis to the epidermis - from deeper layers of the skin to the outer layer.


Nutritional Supplements
Hyaluronic acid extracted from rooster combs cannot be absorbed by the intestinal tract. But, Japanese scientists have developed a proprietary enzyme-cleaving technique to lower the molecular weight of hyaluronic acid without altering its chemical nature. This allows hyaluronic acid to be taken orally as a nutritional supplement, many varieties of which are readily available for commercial use.


Facial Injections
Hyaluronic acid based gel injections are a new option for the on-spot treatment of facial wrinkles. These shots must be administered by a dermatologist and last up to 4 to 6 weeks.


Medical Treatments

Products containing Hyaluronic acid are in use or are being researched to aid in the prevention and treatment of symptoms related to connective tissue disorders such as:


Fractures

Hernias

Glaucoma

Keratoconus

Detached retinas

Osteoarthritis (link)

TMJ

Prevents scarring

Vocal cord insufficiency

Wrinkled skin

Cartilage damage

Wound healing

Ligament Healing


Osteoarthritis Treatment

Physicians have injected Hyaluronic acid directly into the synovial fluid in the knee as a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee for the past 20 years. There is, however, an ongoing debate as to the efficacy of this treatment.