Search Joint Pain

Former President George H. W. Bush once quipped, "I've often thought that the process of aging could be slowed down if it had to go through Congress." If only it were that simple. As we get older, time takes its toll. The aches and pains of arthritis set in, and our skin just isn't as supple as it used to be.

What if I told you there is a natural compound that could provide substantial benefits for both of these seemingly unrelated conditions? There is: hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan, a very long chain of disaccharides (sugars) present in all connective tissues that is responsible for retaining moisture. As we age, levels of hyaluronic acid fall-some say by as much as 50 percent. Genetics, smoking, and magnesium and zinc deficiencies appear to accelerate this loss, but it happens to all of us to some degree. The result? Aching joints and sagging skin.

Juice Up Your Joints

Hyaluronic acid is especially concentrated in the synovial joints (knees, hips, and other moving joints). It is a major component of both cartilage and the synovial fluid that bathes these joints, binding to water to create a thick, gelatinous substance that lubricates and protects the cartilage. Together, synovial fluid and cartilage act as shock absorbers that can withstand a tremendous amount of wear and tear. However, in joints afflicted by arthritis, hyaluronic levels are extremely low, causing the synovial fluid to become less viscous and the cartilage less cushiony.

For years, orthopedists have injected hyaluronic acid directly into the synovial spaces of arthritic joints for relief of pain and inflammation. This "lube job" is a pretty helpful treatment, but regardless of its effectiveness, many people shy away from injections.

Fortunately, the latest research suggests that when hyaluronic acid is taken orally, it increases the body's natural production of this protective substance, making it an excellent, noninvasive therapy for arthritis. In an in-house, placebo-controlled study of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, those taking 80 mg of hyaluronic acid daily for two months had a 33 percent average improvement in pain scores compared to a 6 percent improvement in the placebo group.

So where does hyaluronic acid fit in with glucosamine and chondroitin, other popular supplements for arthritis? Truth is, they work on a similar principle. They all, to varying degrees, activate the genes that turn on the production of hyaluronic acid. I'm not saying you should give up your glucosamine, but if it's not working for you, I suggest you give hyaluronic acid a try. We've been using it at the clinic for a while now, and many patients report significant pain relief.

Save Your Skin

In addition to hyaluronic acid's vital role in joint health, it is also an essential component of the skin. Thanks to its ability to promote collagen production and retain hundreds of times its weight in water, hyaluronic acid keeps the skin plumped up and hydrated. Estrogen is another molecular signal for hyaluronic acid production, which explains why young women have such beautiful skin, why sagging and wrinkling come on somewhat abruptly after menopause, and why hyaluronic acid is a godsend for aging skin.

Not surprisingly, plastic surgeons have capitalized on this discovery.  Injections of hyaluronic acid such as Restylane are used for a variety of cosmetic procedures, from lip and cheek enhancements to wrinkle reduction. Hyaluronic acid is also a popular ingredient in a number of moisturizers and other topical skin treatments and shows promise in wound healing and burn treatment, reducing scarring and speeding healing. Oral hyaluronic acid supplements, because they rev up the natural production of hyaluronic acid, are simply another ticket to more youthful skin.

Fountain of Youth?

A few years ago, ABC ran a special about the residents of Yuzurihara, Japan. They reported that the World Health Organization, after surveying the residents of nearly 1,000 villages and towns throughout the world, determined that Yuzurihara, which is about two hours from Tokyo, was the "village of long life." More than 10 percent of its residents were over 85. Most of them looked far younger than their years, were in excellent health, and engaged in farming and other activities well into their 80s.

Their longevity was attributed, at least in part, to their consumption of vegetables rich in hyaluronic acid. Though I don't believe in magic bullets when it comes to anti-aging, given hyaluronic acid's important role in the health of the skin and joints, it certainly can't hurt to give it a try.

Recommendations

There is some controversy over hyaluronic acid supplements. Hyaluronic acid is a very large molecule-too large, some argue, to be absorbed. Nevertheless, it breaks down in the stomach and enough of it gets in to signal the production of more hyaluronic acid, which is the ultimate goal. Good brands you'll find in your health food store include Purity, Solaray, and Jarrow.
The suggested oral dose of hyaluronic acid is 70-100 mg per day. Be patient; it may take two or three weeks to notice effects. Hyaluronic acid is safe and well tolerated, though there have been a few reports of minor skin rashes linked with its use. 

References
Kalman DS, et al. A randomized double blind placebo clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Hyal-Joint compared to placebo for the improved of [sic] quality of life in adults with osteoarthritis of the knee. 2005.  http://www.aor.ca/int/papers/hyal%20joint.pdf. Accessed November 29, 2007.
Sardi B. How to Live 100 Years Without Growing Old. Here and Now Books, San Dimas, CA, 2002.