Contributed by: Healthians Team
Introduction
Your body naturally produces hyaluronic acid, commonly referred to as hyaluronan, which is a transparent, sticky material.
The areas of your skin, connective tissue, and eyes contain the most of it.
Retaining water is its primary purpose in order to keep your tissues lubricated and wet.
The applications of this skin friendly acid are numerous. It’s popularly consumed as a supplement, but it’s also used via injections, topical serums, and eye drops.
Is hyaluronic acid safe?
Yes. According to research, hyaluronic acid is safe to use. It rarely causes reactions or side effects and using it while pregnant or breastfeeding is safe.
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
Promotes healthy and smooth skin
Your skin can feel and appear supple with hyaluronic acid supplements.
Your skin contains around half of your body’s hyaluronic acid, which binds to water to help keep your skin stay moist.
However, the ageing process, exposure to pollutants, cigarette smoking, and UV rays from the sun can reduce its levels in the skin.
By providing your body with more levels of it to integrate into the skin, supplements may be able to stop this loss.
Adults’ skin moisture levels have risen considerably with doses of 120-240 mg per day for at least a month.
It supports skin to stretch and flex and lowers skin wrinkles and lines.
Helps in relieving joint pain
The joints contain hyaluronic acid as well, which helps to maintain the area between your bones well-lubricated.
Bones are less prone to grind against one another and create painful discomfort when the joints are lubricated.
Supplements containing this acid are highly beneficial for patients with osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint condition brought on by the wear and tear of the joints over time.
People with osteoarthritis, particularly those between the ages of 40 and 70, can dramatically lessen knee discomfort by taking 80-200 mg daily for at least two months.
For pain treatment, hyaluronic acid can also be injected right into the joints.
Boosts wounds healing
Hyaluronic acid is crucial for the healing of wounds.
Although it occurs naturally in the skin, its levels rise when there is damage that has to be repaired.
By controlling levels of inflammation and telling the body to develop new blood vessels in the affected area,it promotes wound healing more quickly.
It has been demonstrated that using it to treat skin wounds can reduce the size of wounds and lessen discomfort more quickly than using a placebo or no therapy at all.
When topically administered to open wounds, its antibacterial characteristics can help lower the risk of infection.
Soothes dry eyes
Due to decreased tear production or tears that evaporate too rapidly, one out of every seven elderly persons experiences dry eye symptoms.
It is frequently used to treat dry eyes because of its great moisture retention capabilities.
Eye drops with 0.2 to 0.4 percent hyaluronic acid have been found to improve eye health and lessen the symptoms of dry eyes.
Additionally, slow-release hyaluronic acid-containing contact lenses are being created as a potential dry eye therapy.
It’s eye drops are also routinely used during eye surgery to reduce swelling and hasten the healing of wounds.
Aids acid reflux
Supplemental hyaluronic acid may lessen acid reflux symptoms.
When acid reflux happens, the stomach’s contents are regurgitated up into the throat, resulting in discomfort and harm to the oesophagal lining.
It could ease the soreness and hasten the healing of the oesophagal lining.
Prevents bladder pain
A disorder known as interstitial cystitis, or painful bladder syndrome, affects 3 to 6 percent of women.
This condition results in a strong and persistent need to urinate, as well as stomach discomfort and soreness.
It has been discovered to help reduce the discomfort and frequent urination linked to interstitial cystitis when put directly into the bladder with a catheter, despite the fact that the origins of this ailment remain unclear.
Researchers believe that hyaluronic acid helps heal damaged bladder tissue, lessening the bladder’s sensitivity to discomfort, in addition to relieving these symptoms.
Side effects and precautions with hyaluronic acid
There have been very few negative effects associated with using hyaluronic acid in general.
As it is produced by the body, allergic responses are quite uncommon.
One trial of 60 individuals with osteoarthritis using 200 mg per day for a year found no adverse side effects.
However, as its effects during pregnancy or nursing, have not been properly investigated, these populations should exercise caution and abstain from consuming it as a supplement.
Additionally, some research suggests that hyaluronic acid might stimulate the growth of cancer cells since they are sensitive to it.
Because of this, it is typically suggested that anyone with cancer or a history of cancer avoid consuming it as a supplement.
Final thoughts
Most individuals may safely use hyaluronic acid supplements, which have numerous positive health effects.
Hyaluronic acid is widely known for its positive effects on the skin, particularly in decreasing dry skin, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and accelerating the healing of wounds.
Additionally, it can assist those who have osteoarthritis in reducing joint discomfort.
Hyaluronic acid eye drops for dry eyes and catheter-based insertion of hyaluronic acid directly into the bladder for pain relief are two further significant applications.
Overall, it is a helpful dietary supplement for a number of ailments, particularly those affecting the skin and joints.
Furthermore, you should also undergo preventive health checkups. These health checks give a complete report about your health, allowing you to take necessary precautionary measures to improve your well-being and keep a host of ailments at bay.
