Sodium hyaluronate, HA, Hyaluronan are the other names for Hyaluronic acid. It is present in every living organism. It is responsible for keeping the body naturally moisturized. The joint areas contain the most amounts of it and works in lubrication of the cartilage that is there in the joint and enhance the bending movements. Hyaluronic acid also lubricates the eyes.
Hyaluronic acid is present between the gaps between cells of the body tissues that are in the extra cellular gaps. The chemical structure of this acid is same for all the organisms irrespective of it being humans or bacteria. Major areas where HA is found are:
Skin- Here it is formed in abundance. It makes the skin stay moisturized, prevents drying up and forming wrinkles. Wrinkle cremes are used when there is a lack of natural hyaluronic acid in the body.
It is also found in Bone, Synovial Fluid and Cartilage where it functions as a shock absorber, lubricant and filter. It gives shape and volume to the eyes being present in the Vitreous body. It helps to prevent the breaking of the contact between the fetus and its mother by being present in the umbilical cord.
Hyaluronic acid is found in the blood vessels too.
In case of the skin, hyaluronic acid functions with the connective tissues in the skin. The skin changes volume and shape and makes necessary changes. This is enabled by the hyaluronic acid that helps the movement of the bones and joints under the skin.
The hyaluronic serum present in the skin inhibits the foreign particles movement like the bacteria. This helps the defensive function of the skin and prevents infections from affecting it. The exogenous materials cannot pass freely. This is why the hyaluronidase enzyme is present in small amounts in the subcutaneous injections, ointments and drugs in crème. It enables the drug to pass freely through the skin tissues.
The skin gets depleted of the hyaluronic acid as we grow older because the cells fail to produce it in high quantities. The acid also fails to hold water in it.
Hyaluronic acid helps to distribute nutrients to the cells that do not have blood supply. It also eliminates cell wastes and helps in its movement. It revives the immune system and combats bacteria attacks.
HA is being used to alleviate arthritis, fibromyalgia, joint pains, chronic fatigue syndrome and dry eyes. It enhances alertness, muscle strength, sleep quality, mobility, wound healing, sexual potency and bone density. Rooster combs are believed to have a treasure of HA and most medical treatments extract HA from rooster combs.
Various cosmetics have HA in them like- the wrinkle creme, cleansers and masks. This is meant to rehydrate the skin. An HA filler called Restylane is injected into the skin to reduce signs of ageing and makes the appearance better.
If hyaluronic acid supplements are looked for, then it is good to know that they come as oral pills as well as injections. Food stores, vitamin shops and pharmacies, are the distributors of these supplements.
