Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide that has been found in the human body. Its main function is to reduce friction in the joints, as well as maintain a sufficient level of moisture in the dermis. Due to its moisturizing properties, hyaluronic acid is widely used in cosmetology. You can read more about vitamins with hyaluronic acid, creams and the benefits of these products in this article.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid, also known as hyaluronan, is a polysaccharide that is found in almost every cell in our body. Its main task is to reduce friction in our joints, as well as moisturize the eyes. Hyaluronic acid attracts and retains a large amount of water, which protects tissues from mechanical damage. In the vitreous body of the eye, the filler is precisely an aqueous solution of this substance. It helps to hydrate the eye in a timely manner and prevents various external factors (foreign bodies) from damaging it. What other functions does this substance perform in our body?
- Hyaluronic acid is able to fill the intercellular areas with its dense gel structure and make the molecules impervious to bacteria and infections.
- The compound also plays a large role in the fertilization of the egg. Its shell is completely composed of hyaluronic acid. If the coating breaks even a little, the egg will lose its ability to fertilize and die.
- Hyaluronic acid is involved in the process of cell division and reproduction. It is necessary for the formation of all new cellular elements. That is why the compound is prescribed for problems with joints or fractures - with the help of an additional intake of “hyaluron” the tissues grow together faster.
- The water balance of the dermis is also directly dependent on hyaluronic acid. It reduces the evaporation of water from the surface of the skin and at the same time attracts and retains moisture from the air.
- Hyaluronic acid is an essential element of body defense. Due to its dense gel structure throughout the body, it creates a coating that is resistant to mechanical stress and pressure.
Discovery story
Hyaluronic acid was first discovered in the vitreous of the cow's eye in 1934 by Dr. Carl Meyer, a biochemist at Columbia University. After that, he conducted a series of experiments that helped to find out that this is a substance due to which the eye retains its shape. It was then that the scientist decided that the compound could have a therapeutic use. In 1940, a large amount of hyaluronic acid was found in cocks. Later they began to be prescribed as an additive to the main treatment to accelerate the healing of fractures, as they were cheap and affordable.
But soon, scientists got another opportunity to obtain hyaluronic acid. Streptococci of groups A and C have the ability to produce acid, which can then be purified and used as a dietary supplement. Over time, scientists have discovered that other strains of bacteria can be used to produce the substance.
Why do people use hyaluronic acid?
In the human body, hyaluronic acid performs many functions, so its use is extremely wide. Scientists have found that with aging, the ability to produce this substance decreases, which leads to the development of some pathological conditions. The following are diseases that may be associated with the problem of the production of "hyaluron":
- Fibromyalgia is a condition where there is too much hyaluronic acid in the blood. As a result, people begin to feel unwell and aching in their muscles and bones. The disease does not cause damage to internal organs, but it is rather unpleasant, therefore, as a treatment, doctors often prescribe hyaluronic acid in tablets, which helps to normalize the condition.
- Osteoarthritis. According to some studies, hyaluronic acid is called one of the main means to combat inflammation.
- Dry eye syndrome is familiar to many people, especially office workers who spend many hours in front of a computer. Vitamins with hyaluronic acid and collagen can significantly reduce dry eyes, even in severe cases.
- Skin - hyaluronic acid prevents aging, keeps skin smooth, moisturized and firm. That is why many creams contain this substance as an additional ingredient.
- Glaucoma. According to the medical journal Molecular Vision, taking hyaluronic acid can reduce the risk of developing primary glaucoma.
Diet to increase the production of hyaluronic acid
Facial vitamins with hyaluronic acid can be an excellent supplement for you, but it’s much more important to establish nutrition in such a way that the production of the substance increases in the body. It is known that some foods contain more hyaluronic acid than others. What kind of food do doctors recommend?
- Meat. It is beef, turkey, pork and poultry that contain the highest levels of hyaluronic acid. A bone and cartilage broth will also be rich in this compound.
- Potatoes. It is believed that the elderly residents of the Japanese village, which recorded the maximum life expectancy, have lived so long precisely because of starchy root crops.
- Foods rich in vitamin C. Ascorbic acid in our body directly affects the production of hyaluronic acid. But synthetic vitamins are often poorly absorbed, so doctors recommend eating more yellow and orange fruits, parsley and cilantro.
- Foods rich in magnesium. This mineral can also play a role in the synthesis of hyaluronic acid. Magnesium is found in large quantities in pears, peaches, tomatoes and melon.
Why do people use hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid may not be the only medicine for osteoarthritis or fibromyalgia, but it is an excellent addition to complex therapy. What problems are they still using?
- Chronic pain
- Insomnia.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome.
Since vitamins with hyaluronic acid are sold freely and pharmacists do not require a prescription from a doctor, anyone can try them to improve their condition.
Contraindications
Although hyaluronic acid is produced in the human body, in some cases it can be harmful rather than beneficial. With caution in taking drugs containing this compound, it is worth treating those people who have the following diseases:
- Allergy to poultry or eggs.
- Blood clotting disorders (e.g. hemophilia).
- You are taking medications that affect blood coagulability (Warfarin or Aspirin).
- An infection or rash has appeared near the inflamed joint.
Pregnant and lactating women should also avoid supplements with hyaluronic acid, since at the moment there is no data on what effect it has on the children's body.
Safe dosage
If you are taking hyaluronic acid supplements on your own, you should be aware of the safe doses that experts recommend. At the moment, to take dietary supplements with this substance, it is not necessary to have any indications - they can be taken for prevention. The standard dosage is 50 mg. It is best to take the supplement once or twice a day with meals. The combined use of hyaluronic acid and vitamin E can enhance the effect.
If you use the substance in the complex treatment of a disease, then your doctor may recommend a higher dosage. For example, with osteoarthritis, a dose of 80 milligrams is considered normal for at least 8 weeks. If you suffer from dry eyes, eye drops with hyaluronic acid can be used for several months. In any case, before buying any preparations with hyaluronic acid, it is better to consult a doctor and get his dosage recommendations, which will be based on your complaints and body weight.
Side effects
Currently, there is practically no data on the side effects that hyaluronic acid can cause. However, if you take the supplement not for oral administration, but for subcutaneous injection, then in this case the risks increase slightly. An injection with hyaluronic acid in the affected area can cause muscle pain, as well as inflammation in the joints and swelling.
Hyaluronic acid in cosmetology
In addition to a variety of nutritional supplements, hyaluronic acid is widely used in cosmetology. This is caused by its effect, because it can effectively moisturize the skin, thus preventing aging. Currently, hyaluronic acid, along with collagen, is found in many products that are aimed at moisturizing the skin. The substance serves as a kind of “transport”, which helps deliver molecules of beneficial substances to deeper layers of the skin, without clogging the pores. Sometimes, in order to deepen the skin, it is injected into the deeper layers of the dermis by injection:
- Mesotherapy.
- Contouring.
- Biorevitalization.
Such methods contribute to enhancing your own skin regeneration, smooth out old wrinkles and normalize the functioning of fibroblasts. As a result, the skin looks much fresher and younger. For home daily care, there are numerous moisturizers and serums that help maintain the effect. For example, serum with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C not only moisturizes, but also whitens the skin.
Expert Advice
Reviews of vitamins with hyaluronic acid suggest that before taking them or any other supplements, you need to study the product you want to purchase. Now on the market there are quite a few low-quality dietary supplements, which in the best case will not have any effect, and in the worst - they can do quite serious harm. Therefore, experienced buyers are advised to purchase only very high-quality products of famous brands.
According to the scientific journal 3 Biotech, it is likely that supplements containing animal hyaluronic acid may contain toxins from sick animals that can cause various diseases. Before buying, pay special attention to how the acid is synthesized, and whether it was checked for the presence of pathogenic bacteria.
A few facts about hyaluronic acid
- To date, not a single large-scale study has been conducted that would prove or disprove the benefits of hyaluronic acid.
- Hyaluronic acid from vitamins is absorbed worse than that which was obtained in a "natural" way - from food.
- It cannot be used as the primary treatment, and it cannot replace other medicines.
- When choosing vitamins with hyaluronic acid, reviews should not serve as the main criterion, but their reading will not be superfluous. Some companies produce forms of the substance that can cause indigestion and stomach pain.
The best drugs with hyaluronic acid
What drugs with hyaluronic acid are considered the most effective?
- Vitamins "Doppelherz" with hyaluronic acid, biotin and Q10. The composition of this dietary supplement includes several components that can significantly improve the condition of the skin and connective tissue. Customer reviews say that dietary supplement has the desired effect: it helps to moisturize the skin, hair growth and improve overall well-being.
- Doctor's Best Hyaluronic Acid with Chondroitin is popular among athletes. These vitamins have a therapeutic effect even on those who are intensely involved in sports and because of this gets problems with their back and joints. A nutritional supplement can also be used to prevent damage and rupture of ligaments.
- “Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C” by Solgar. It does not contain gluten, wheat and dairy products, which means it is completely safe for allergy sufferers.
- Hyaluronic cream from Librederm. The manufacturer positions its product as the best cream filler and promises results in the shortest possible time. The product perfectly moisturizes the skin and smoothes fine wrinkles.
- Cream with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C from "Evalar" ("Laura").
Summary
Hyaluronic acid moisturizes the skin, promotes faster restoration and healing of connective tissue, enhances immunity and indirectly helps accelerate wound healing. Due to its beneficial properties, the substance has become widespread and is currently available in the form of food additives, as well as in the form of creams and injections.