Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesSide EffectsPrecautionsDosageToxicityInteractionsHow to StoreSimilar SupplementsSources & What to Look For
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage
Toxicity
Interactions
How to Store
Similar Supplements
Sources & What to Look For
Some factors that reduce the amount of HA in the body includeaging, solar ultraviolet radiation, smoking, and air pollutants. Due to such risk factors, HA supplementation has gained popularity in the health, food, and cosmetic industries.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
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Uses of Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid has been studied in osteoarthritis, aging skin,dry eyes,acid reflux, and wound healing. It comes in topical, oral, and injectable forms–the latter is considered a medical device.
This article will primarily focus on the oral supplement use of HA.
Joint Function and Pain in Osteoarthritis
Because HA functions as a lubricating agent in synovial fluid, it plays a role in inflammatory joint conditions like osteoarthritis.
A randomized controlled study of 100 people with osteoarthritis of the thumb joint showed that HA injections within the joint were superior tobetamethasoneinjections (acorticosteroid) in improving joint function and pain and the improvements lasted longer (greater than after six months). However, the study was limited because it had no placebo group.
Guidelines for using HA injections within the joint vary:
Reduces Skin Wrinkles
Another 12-week clinical trial with 129 female participants, including young and elderly groups and different skin types, showed improvements in skin hydration, tone, and thickness in both age groups.
Can hyaluronic acid and retinol be used together?Yes, they can be used together. A study found a low concentration of retinol (0.04%) combined with hyaluronic acid and 5,7-di-hydroxy-2-methyl chromone (DMC) applied topically for eight weeks resulted in improvements in various signs of facial skin aging. This included wrinkles, pigmentary spots, tone unevenness, and more.
Can hyaluronic acid and retinol be used together?
Yes, they can be used together. A study found a low concentration of retinol (0.04%) combined with hyaluronic acid and 5,7-di-hydroxy-2-methyl chromone (DMC) applied topically for eight weeks resulted in improvements in various signs of facial skin aging. This included wrinkles, pigmentary spots, tone unevenness, and more.
Despite the positive results, further research involving larger studies and from different populations is needed.
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Dry Eyes
A randomized clinical trial of 76 people over 19 years of age with dry eye disease showed that applying a single drop of both 0.3% and 0.15% HA improved signs and symptoms in people with moderate to severe dry eye disease.
A meta-analysis indicated that treatment with HA eye drops alone reduced dry eye signs and symptoms in people with dry eye disease compared with non-HA-based eye drops. Yet, one limitation is that it is not known whether the statistical significance of the beneficial effects of HA drops compared with non-HA-based eye drops implies clinical improvement.
Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to determine the effectiveness of HA on dry eye disease.
What Are the Best Eye Drops for Dry Eyes?
Acid Reflux Symptoms
A study of 51 people aged 25 to 75 withlaryngopharyngeal reflux(LPR) symptoms showed that HA combined withchondroitinsulfate significantly reduced LPR-related symptoms such as chronic cough andhoarsenesswhen given withproton pump inhibitor(PPI) therapy.
Since HA was used in combination with chondroitin sulfate, it is unclear if the effect was from HA alone, chondroitin sulfate, or both when combined with PPI therapy.
Wound Healing
A randomized controlled study of 30 healthy females aged 20 to 60 years, undergoing tooth extraction showed a higher wound closure after tooth removal using the HA gel and spray treatment compared to the control group.However, it is important to note that the study was limited due to a small sample size.
In a multicenter study of 168 people with chronic legulcers of venousor mixed (venous and arterial) origin, treatment with 0.2% HA cream daily for 20 weeks resulted in a higher healing rate than a comparable cream without HA.
Other Uses
Some people also use HA to support the following conditions, although there’s a lack of data demonstrating HA’s efficacy for some:
What Is Acid Reflux?
What Are the Side Effects of Hyaluronic Acid ?
No side effects were noted in a review of several safety studies of HA. While HA as a dietary supplement exhibits no side effects, potential side effects may occur depending on the application method, such as an injection into the joint or topical application.
Common Side Effects
When injected into the joint, HA may cause the following:
A prospective, multicenter randomized controlled trial that looked at the effectiveness of 0.2% HA cream on the skin compared to a neutral cream in the treatment of people with chronic leg ulcers reported the following treatment-related side effects.
Severe Side Effects
Despite the conflicting results, seek medical attention if you experience bleeding. Although it aids wound healing, HA has been shown to make theplateletless sticky and thus prolongs bleeding time. A comparative, prospective randomized study of 40 people who had undergone third molar extraction found that local injection of 0.8% HA increased bleeding time.
Avoid hyaluronic acid derived from animal sources if you have an allergy to avian-derived products. While it is rare to experience an allergic reaction since HA is naturally produced in your body, stop taking HA immediately and seek medical attention if you experience any signs of an allergic reaction.
Skin Elasticity: What It Is and How to Protect It
Hyaluronic acid is generally safe, although some conditions require caution:
Dosage: How Much Hyaluronic Acid Should I Take?
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.
The dose and dosage form of HA used varies depending on what HA is used for:
Supplement Facts
What Does Snail Mucin Do for the Skin?
What Happens if I Take Too Much Hyaluronic Acid?
Furthermore, your body’s natural production of hyaluronic acid may decrease with age.
In a randomized, prospective study comparing the efficacy and safety of intra-articular (within the joint) HA injection and betamethasone injection in people with osteoarthritis of the thumb, people who were also being treated withanti-epileptic drugs, oral anticoagulants, lithium,potassium-sparing diuretics,digoxin, minocycline, or other medications were excluded from the study. Interactions between HA and these prescription drugs are unclear.
While there is no clear documentation of clinically significant drug interactions noted in the literature, it is essential to consult with your healthcare provider before starting an HA supplement.
It is essential to carefully read a supplement’s ingredient list and nutrition facts panel to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
How to Store Hyaluronic Acid
Store HA supplement in a cool, dry place and keep HA away from direct sunlight. Discard per packaging instructions.
Besides HA, other dietary supplements that have been studied for osteoarthritis include the following:
The effect of combination therapy (glucosamine, chondroitin, and HA) on knee osteoarthritis has been studied. After eight weeks of supplementation, participants experienced significant reductions in pain and stiffness and improved physical function compared to the placebo group.
Additionally, a pilot study looked at the effect of an oral preparation containing hydrolyzed collagen type II, chondroitin sulfate, HA, and hydrolyzed keratin on knee osteoarthritis. After four weeks the supplement group showed improvements in pain and physical function, as well as reduced inflammatory markers in synovial fluid, compared to the placebo group.
It’s not uncommon to use multiple anti-arthritis dietary supplements together. Be sure to inform your healthcare provider about all supplements and medicines you take.
Sources of Hyaluronic Acid and What to Look For
Not only is HA derived from animals and bacteria, but it can also be derived from marine sources such as bivalve mollusks, the liver of stingrays, and the eyeballs of swordfish and sharks.
Dietary supplements are not strictly regulated in the United States, making it difficult to know which brands are most reliable.
One sign of quality is a stamp of approval from the U.S. Pharmacopeia, NSF, or ConsumerLabs. These independent certifying bodies ensure that the ingredients listed on a product label are correct and pure. Only supplements voluntarily submitted for testing are eligible for certification.
Food Sources of Hyaluronic Acid
In addition to being present in articular cartilage (tissue at the ends of bones) and synovial fluid (protective liquid in between your joints), HA is also usually present in the bone marrow of mammals.Thus,bone brothis a source of hyaluronic acid.
Food sources of phytoestrogens include the following:
Topical application of creams, gels, and lotions containing phytoestrogens (plant-based estrogens) for 12 to 24 weeks has increased hyaluronic acid levels.
Hyaluronic Acid Supplements
Industrial uses of HA utilize either low or high molecular weight HA. The salt form of hyaluronic acid, namely sodium hyaluronate, is considered to be a low molecular weight HA (LMWHA).The sodium hyaluronate form is listed as an ingredient in most skin care products due to its lower molecular weight, allowing it to penetrate deeper into the skin.
On the other hand, injection of high molecular weight HA (HMWHA) into the joint is used to treat osteoarthritis due to its anti-inflammatory property and its high molecular weight that allows it to bind to large amounts of water.
Hyaluronic acid is available in the following forms:
As hyaluronic acid is derived from animals, if you are allergic to poultry or eggs, look for vegan sources of hyaluronic acid derived from microbial fermentation.
Summary
Hyaluronic acid is a natural polysaccharide touted for its use in osteoarthritis, skin wrinkles, and dry eyes. However, guidelines vary for using HA injection within the joint for osteoarthritis. Other potential benefits of HA include alleviating acid reflux symptoms and promoting wound healing. Hyaluronic acid is generally well-tolerated and plays a role within the cosmetic, nutraceutical, and food industries.
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47 Sources
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