Hyaluronic Acid      

About Hyaluronic Acid

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 replacement, referred to as viscosupplementation, is done by injecting HA directly into the affected joints. Although successful, it is very expensive, painful and yet only effective in the areas injected. Now, the high molecular weight HA found in Wilson's HA , a convenient oral solution, presents an easier and far more affordable way to replace the HA that we have lost. It also provides benefits to the entire body! Read our testimonials to see for yourself. People are experiencing profound relief for their joint pains with results noticeable in a short period of time, plus a variety of beneficial effects --- from softer, younger looking skin, to clearer more moist eyes, even to reports of HA being an anti-ageing remedy.

About Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid exists naturally in all living organisms and is a universal component of the spaces between the cells of body tissues (extracellular space). It is a mucopolysacharide that has an identical chemical structure whether it is found in simple bacteria or in human beings.

Hyaluronic Acid and Your Health

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.

ABC News Special Reporters visited the village of Yuzurihara, Japan, where 10 percent of the population are age 85 or older, which is ten times the number in the U.S.A. The ABC Special reported that "the residents of Yuzurihara are not only living longer, but they are also quite healthy." The secret is hyaluronic acid: The natives live on a diet of sweet potatoes and vegetables that promote the synthesis of HA.

What Causes the Breakdown of HA? The breakdown of collagen in joints is facilitated by an enzyme, hyaluronidase, that specifically attacks HA. Ultraviolet radiation (sunlight) and free radicals of all types stimulate the production of hyaluronidase. This means that the whole family of antioxidants can have a protective effect on HA, by inhibiting the production of excess hyaluronidase.

Bill Sardi, who has recently written a book about HA entitled "How to Live 100 years Without Growing Old" , says, "There are so many natural products that lay claim to anti-ageing benefits it is often confusing. There is no argument that the visible signs of ageing - baldness, voice change, skin wrinkling and dryness, shrinkage in height, joint pain and dependency upon eyeglasses - all emanate from the loss of HA and not to direct shortages of any hormones like DHEA, or minerals like coral calcium, or any other widely promoted natural remedies.

"Once the industry sorts all this out, there will be a stampede for these HA products." "Collagen is a side-show. It's the HA that's doing all the healing."

HA is a double molecule, glucosamine combined with glucuronic acid. Glucosamine is only one-half of the HA molecule, which is why glucosamine yields results much slower and much less dramatic than HA. Chondroitin raises the production of HA in the body, and thus for those on large doses, there may be some of the same anti-ageing benefits.

Those taking oral supplements containing hyluronic acid may want to know that it is derived from chicken cartilage. If you are allergic to chicken, consult your physician before taking. Inflammatory reactions have been reported, though rarely, and only as far as we know when using the injectable grade HA.

While food supplements cannot claim to prevent or cure any disease, oral hyaluronic acid supplements may make a claim to promote and maintain healthy tissues in the eyes, liver, joints, skin, and leg veins. Peer-reviewed studies have been published on all of these conditions. HA supports youthful appearance, joint movement, and visual response among adults of a wide age range.