Hyaluronic acid is a component of synovial fluid, and is found in the vitreous humor of the eye, the synovia of joints, and in subcutaneous tissue where it functions is as a cementing agent. Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan with anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous properties. For more hyaluronic acid information. If hyaluronic acid supplement alone is not helping you, consider a beneficial joint product formulated by Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D.

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Joint Power Rx with glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, CMO, turmeric, boswellia for joint health

Hyaluronic acid plays an integral role in maintaining and regulating moisture with the tissues and facilitates the transport of nutrients into the cells and the removal of metabolic waste. Hyaluronic acid is found in all of the body's tissue, with the highest concentrations located in the extracellular matrix of the skin and the synovial fluid that bathes the joints and cartilage. Optimum levels of hyaluronic acid are essential for the health of the joints and cartilage. Hyaluronic acid has undergone a natural enzyme cleaning technique for greater absorption. Whether hyaluronic acid ingested as a pill is able to easily enter joint tissue is not clear at this time.

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Joint Power Rx Supplement Facts:
Glucosamine sulfate (from shellfish)
Chondroitin sulfate supplement
MSM supplement
CMO complex also known as cetyl myristoleate
Boswellia serrata extract
Curcumin for less inflammation
Cat's claw extract
Devil's claw extract
Grape seed extract

Hyaluronic supplement
In osteoarthritis, changes occur in the hyaluronic acid found in cartilage leading to degradation of the cartilage. Hyaluronic acid is promoted for arthritis and many other conditions including the health of skin. We have not come across any human trials with an oral form of hyaluronic acid. Many studies have been conducted with hyaluronic acid in the injectable form into knees and I have listed some of the studies below. At this time I am not able to recommend an oral form of hyaluronic acid since I have not come across any studies.

Skin
We are not aware of human studies evaluating the role of this supplement in skin health.

Joints
We have not seen studies regarding the influence of this product taken orally in improving symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Hyaluronic acid Injection
Hyaluronic Acid for restoring earlobe volume.
Skinmed. 2006 Nov-Dec;5(6):293-4. de Oliveira Monteiro E. Federal University of Sao Paulo, Dermatology Cosmetic Center, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Cosmetic disfigurement of the earlobe, including laxity and sagging skin, comes with aging. Restoring the earlobe volume is a procedure indicated for patients seeking a youthful facial appearance. Hyaluronic acid is a good choice for this procedure. Most fillers on the market today are supplied with a small needle, yet a larger-gauge needle allows the introduction of the product under lower pressure, making it easier and faster to fill tight areas. This article describes a useful approach to enhance the hyaluronic acid injection, resulting in a fast and effective method to restore earlobe volume.

Hyaluronic acid injections for sports injuries
Competitive athletes given two injections with hyaluronic acid after spraining their ankles were able to return to their sport in 11 days, on average, compared with 17 days for those who received sham injections. Sprained ankles are typically treated with "RICE" -- rest, ice, compression and elevation -- which can reduce pain and swelling but has no effect on recovery time, along with NSAID drugs. Doctors currently use hyaluronic acid to treat joint pain and stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis patients. The material is unique, he added, because it changes its structure in response to the physical demands of the body. The hyaluronic injections are believed to work by forming a kind of scaffold along the injured ankle ligaments. Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, July 2007.

Hylan versus hyaluronic acid injections
For osteoarthritis of the knee, hylan or hyaluronic acid injections are equally effective, but hylan can potentially cause more adverse events, a new study shows. Based on this plus the higher cost of hylan, the researchers "see no rationale for the continued use of hylan in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Hylan is a modification of hyaluronic acid that was created to increase the viscosity and decrease the clearance around the joints. Arthritis and Rheumatism, November 2007.

Hylan injections
January 2008 - European researchers suggest injections of a product called hylan into the knee joint should not be used to osteoarthritis, based on the results of a review of clinical studies. The findings indicate that hylan is no more effective than the older agent hyaluronic acid, but is more likely to cause side effects and increases the risk of disease flare-ups. Arthritis and Rheumatism, December 15, 2007.

Hyaluronic acid questions
Q. I did search for side effects of hyaluronic acid (taken orally) on the internet and found none. I had been taking a Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplement called Fleximin for over a year without any problems. When I purchased a new bottle of Fleximin I failed to notice it had Hyaluronic Acid in it, and wouldn't have known if that was a good thing or not, regardless. I have GERD that has been under control when taking Prilosec 20 mg twice daily. After 2 weeks of taking the new Fleximin supplement I had horrible heartburn, so severe I was taking a ridiculous amount of over the counter products in addition to the Prilosec to try and alleviate the problem and was ready to go to the emergency room, but didn't know what they could do. I could only eat plain chicken breasts, white rice, and still was miserable. I saw a well respected gastroenterologist and he did not respond when I asked him about Hyaluronic acid. Perhaps he was unfamiliar with it. Anyway, now that I have stopped taking the Fleximin with Hyaluronic Acid I feel fine, and no heartburn at all, am able to eat anything reasonable (I don't smoke, drink a glass of wine monthly, avoid greasy foods, etc.). I can't say for certain if the additive in the Fleximin caused the severe increase of heartburn, but it is the only thing I did differently. Perhaps it is not appropriate for anyone with symptoms of GERD.
  A. Thanks for letting us know, the only previous side effects people have reported to us with hyaluronic acid has been a skin rash, this is the first of a possible association with heartburn.

Q.  I had a pain in my foot from playing golf when I used golf shoes. I would turn my foot in the shoe but the shoe didnt turn and my foot got really sore from it. Plus I have had problems with the knee joints. While I was out playing golf one day someone that I was playing with that day mentioned to me about hyaluronic acid that he took it oral form for his back pain and that it helped him within 3 days. I went to the Vitamin Shoppe here in Ocala Florida and they told to take there brand of Injuv. Within 3 days of taking 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening the pain was gone. I took it for a month and stopped. I was starting to get calluses on my feet too because of work and they were hurting my feet. I started taking it again and breaking a capsule and using that on the calluses and it has helped to take the pain away and the calluses are softening up. I havent had any hyaluronic acid side affects and havent had any joint pains in my knees, arms or any where else and think its an amazing product. I noticed that you dont have Injuv by Vitamin Shoppe on the web site that has all the other products listed. I find Injuv by Vitamin Shoppe to work the best.

Q. I am designing a new facial for our clinic floor (dedicated use is the practicum for esthetic students) which includes organic green tea and hyaluronic acid. The empirical benefit of epigallocatechins with regard to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity is well known. I have been able to source the tea satisfactorily. However, in sourcing hyaluronic gel for topical application I have encountered impediments. Do you sell topical hyaluronic acid? Can you tell me if a concentration of 2.5% is adequate for hydrating the stratum corneum?
   A. We have not studied hyaluronic acid in cream form and therefore we don't know if it would work or what concentrations are ideal.

Q. I am 65, and for the past few years had been experiencing pain in my left hip whenever I rose from a sitting position. I needed several seconds to stand to "lubricate" my hip before walking. Also, the hip would pop painfully whenever I rose from a sitting or bent over position. I was convinced by my chiropractor that hip replacement surgery was not far off. I was introduced to hyaluronic oral tablets less than two months ago. I take two or three tablets daily. I am happy to report that within a few weeks the pain and popping started to diminish, and now these problems have all but disappeared. For years I have taken, and continue to take, tablets of glucosamine sulfate with chondroitin and MSM, but despite the therapy, the symptoms continued to worsen. Perhaps the glucosamine slowed down the deterioration, but the trend was downhill. The rapid improvement on hyaluronic acid convinces me that this is the supplement that has effected my recovery the most. As an added benefit, the black "floater" in my right eye, which I had for a couple of years after a heavy reading regimen, has disappeared. Coincidences? Placebo effect? I will keep you informed after more months of trial.
   A. Very interesting, yes please do keep us updated.

Q. I ordered Injuv Hyaluronic Acid and I am afraid to take it because I have to be concerned about arterial blockage. The sofgels contain beeswax and I am concerned beeswax will clog my arteries? Do you know if this is dangerous? Why is beeswax included in a softgel? Beeswax should only be in topical cosmetics, right?
   A. You would have to ask the makers of Injuv hyaluronic acid regarding the other ingredients that they place in their products. As to beeswax, we have not come across any studies regarding the ingestion of beeswax and its influence on atherosclerosis.

Q. I have read several articles about hyaluronic acid. All come to the same conclusion. The size of the molecule of hyaluronic acid needs to be 500,000 or bigger on the Dalton scale or it is not effective. I have contacted a few makers of hyaluronic acid products and they all tell me the opposite. They say smaller is better as it is absorbed faster.
The hyaluronic acid papers I read were independent studies. Could you tell which is correct. 500,000 size molecules and larger or smaller ones down to 1,500 on the Dalton scale for a hyaluronic acid supplement to be effective?
   A. We have not seen enough studies on this topic, particularly human trials, to have an answer that we can be confident about. We will keep our eyes and ears open if we come across such hyaluronic acid research.
      A. JOURNAL of APPLIED NUTRITION, Volume 54, number 1, 2004 has an article with the Title; Will The Real Hyaluronan Please Stand Up. It is written by Luke Bucci, PhD. Can you tell me your opinion on this article. The authors claim that only high molecular weight hyaluronic acid is beneficial.
         A. The article is extremely well-researched, however the conclusions must be kept in perspective since the author is involved with Schiff Vitamins, a company that sells a joint health product called Lubriflex3 which contains purified, high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid.
         A note from Dr. Sahelian who was asked about his opinion on this hyaluronic acid and dalton size question: Dr. Sahelian has learned over the years that one of the best ways to determine effectiveness of a supplement is to actually see the results of human studies. Since such human studies comparing the various forms of hyaluronic acid are not available, he cannot say which form is best and any such conclusions as to which form is best is, at this point, mostly speculation.

Q. I was just looking for information about Hyaluronic acid and I noticed that your site states there is no certainty that this works orally since there has not been much testing in humans. It is a funny thing that there weren't people taking Chondroitin or Glucosamine until years after veterinarians were routinely advised it for relief of arthritis and lubrication of joints in horses. As a rider and dressage instructor for 30 years now, I only tried these things because all the vets I knew were taking it themselves with good results. Then came Hyaluronic acid - many many years ago - as a normal thing to inject into mostly the hocks (back large leg joint) of horses to lubricate and keep the horses comfortable. Not only does it work, but ask any world class Olympic rider if this works. No one goes without as the horse gets older. Lately many vets also found that orally it worked as well, and what I observed in my own horses and student's horses was that they seemed to react the same or better to oral hyaluronic acid in a supplemental form in their feed. If a horse that is sore in one or more legs, and/or inflamed or even lame one day is put on this supplement, and then is seen (by vets as well as trainers such as myself) to be completely comfortable 2-4 days later, well, that kind of speaks for itself, no? I was just looking at articles and information to see if this supplement might have side effects before I try this for my arthritis.

Q. I have been taking glucosamine chondroitin for quite a while. Would it be alright to add hyaluronic acid to that?
   A. This is a decision you and your doctor would make since some people may benefit whereas others may not.

Q. My 50 year old healthy husband who’s had 3 knee surgery’s in past years and been doing fairly well, started having some pain again in one knee and went to see his knee Dr., who suggested Synvisc .(even though the pain he was having was not in the joint) He went ahead with 3 injections, 1 week apart. (July 2008) Still feeling achey, he began physical therapy thinking that would help get it back in shape. He was taking Advil or Aleve at the time for pain and inflammation. (Which has quit using now) He had to quit therapy after two weeks, it was too painful. Then he went and had blood tests that were negative for a bunch of diseases, but just showed inflammation. Both knees were crippled with pain, then it would travel to his hips(with sciatic pain also) and they would ache, then it would travel to his shoulders and they would ache. Then start the same cycle over again. He can barely move when it’s in his hip area, very crippling. We’ve assumed it is some sort of allergic reaction to Synvisc after reading some other accounts on-line of Synvisc reactions that were similar and starting treating it with a juice fast and some detox supplements through a Naturopath Dr. After a couple weeks it is somewhat better, the pain is still moving around his body but has slowed, and will not always be in both sides at once; though last week his right shoulder was very painful and made his fingers numb. That is better now but it has moved to his left wrist. And one knee is beginning to ache again. So strange. If this is what Synvisc does, should it be on the market? We were told there are no side effects, it’s all natural. (We didn't do enough research) Someone told us it is processed with formaldehyde and vinyl sulphone (divinyl sulfone). Both highly toxic chemicals. I was wondering if the Hyaluronic Acid supplements out there are processed with some of the same toxic chemicals as the injections?
   A. We are not familiar with the processes involved in making Synvisc but we suspect they are very different than oral hyaluronic acid supplements.

Q. I have read hyaluronic acid is some kind of glucosamine I have taken glucosamine for knee pain, with horrible side effect of kidney stone. This very side effect happened to my mother and sister. Therefore, I take it as a fact. If glucosamine would cause me kidney stones, would hyaluronic acid cause me a kidney stone? What is your opinion as hyaluronic acid been some type of glucosamine?
   A. Hyaluronic acid is a big molecule with lots of single molecules attached to each others whereas glucosamine is a single molecule. Although the chemical structure of a glucosamine molecule is similar to the subunits of hyaluronic acid, their benefits and side effects are vastly different. I have not seen research regardingf hyaluronic acid or glucosamine causing kidney stones.

Q. I've been using liquid hyaluronic acid for 3 months, 3 months ago, my retinal specialist wanted to laser a serious spot on my retina that he said would certainly ultimately lead to blindness of that eye, he set an appointment for 1 month later for the laser. I started the Synthovial seven hyaluronic acid at double the amount listed on the container. when I went to my appointment (which I delayed for another month) 2 months after starting the treatment, he looked into my eye and told me "there is no conventional treatment for this condition other than laser, but when I look in your eye, the spot to be treated is GONE! He sent me home with another appointment in 4 months with the directions "keep eating the hyaluronic acid" he had never heard of hyaluronic as a treatment... mixed with earnest prayer, the hyaluronic has healed my eye.! Thank God he made these things for our healing.
   A. Thanks for sharing your hyaluronic acid story with us. We checked the internet and could not easily find how much hyaluronic acid is present in a dose. Perhaps oral hyaluronic acid in capsule form is also effective for this condition.

Q. Can you tell me the minimum molecular weight of the hyaluronic Acid found in the Source Naturals Injuv softgels?
   A. You may wish to contact Source Naturals directly for hyaluronic acid information and the Injuv product.

Q. I'm experiencing the "cervical pinched nerve" condition that Laura Bush just had surgery to correct. I'm told that my x-rays show straightening of my lordosis and narrowing of foramen. I'm trying to avoid surgery, tried the conventional meds, steroids, etc., made me worse in many other ways. I've always been somewhat sensitive to the pharmaceuticals. I'm always on the lookout for something to help my arthritis and now my cervical inflammation, my allergies, my sinus stuff, etc., etc., and I have a friend with rheumatoid arthritis, and we both spend a lot of time trying anti-inflammatory supplements such as curcurmin. I read an article about Hyluronic Acid, which indicated there were no human studies with the oral form. There is an article by Dr. Mark Stengler, Naturopath indicating some recent astounding results with his patients. He also mentions the obvious, different things work for different people.

Q. I got a skin rash after taking hyaluronic acid for my arthritis after a few weeks.
   A. We have had two or three people in the past year report having a skin rash from taking this supplement which went away after stopping.

Q. Its funny that you mention rash in your hyaluronic acid article. My wife and I tried a bottle of hyaluronic acid from purity products a year ago. I (44 years old) felt immediate benefits in a week. Softer skin, no creeky knee squats. my wife (43) on the other hand came down with the shingles (her entire right of left rib cage got red and was in pain).
That's all I could say. Coincidence or hyaluronic acid. We stopped taking it immediately.

Q. I am very interested in hyaluronic acid research and the products mentioned but i have had hyaluronic acid knee injections for my osteoarthritis and ever since i've been feeling rather ill (sick, dizzy, headaches). I have been told this is NOT a side effect of the hyaluronic acid injections but the correlation seems uncanny. However, the pain in my knee has really reduced and i would hate to think that this is the hyaluronic acid because i want the injection again! I just wondered if taking tablets have any side-effects listed that involve dizziness and headaches?!! i know it must be hard to say but i was hoping to try the hyaluronic acid tablets instead of the injection!
   A. Little human research is available regarding the side effects of orally ingested hyaluronic acid. Thus far we have not had reports regarding headaches or dizziness as side effects with the use of hyaluronic acid supplements.

Q. Can you tell me about a hyaluronic acid skin gel call Restylane?
   A. Restylane is a transparent hyaluronic acid gel that is injected into the face to smooth deep wrinkles and folds.

I would appreciate your assessment of the safety of hyaluronic acid supplementation for joint pain. I was using it with good effect, but have stopped after seeing references to studies correlating a “hyaluronan-rich environment with tumor progression” (Univ. of California San Francisco). A second study concluded that “hyaluronan is … considered to be involved in the growth and progression of malignant tumors. Is there a case to be made for HA in the face of these sobering findings?
    The effect of HA in cell studies in the lab do not reflect what happens when these pills are taken orally. We do not see a cause of concern at this time.

Being that hyaluronic acid is made from chicken combs, would cooking combs or similar tissue would degrade and destroy the HA in a chicken soup. It seems an easy way of getting it.
    We don't know the answer to this question.

Supplements and Herbal home page hyaluronic acid information

The FDA has ordered Hyalogic LLC to stop making unsubstantiated claims that its hyaluronic acid product, Synthovial 7, can increase cushioning, joint lubrication, and motility of painful arthritic joints.