Hyaluronic Acid - How it Can Help Your Joints and More

Hyaluronic acid, or simply hyaluronan, is a fundamental composition of joint tissues. In the first half of the 20th century it was referred to as a "goo" molecule abundant in the cavities of diarthrosis, or synovial joints, which is the kind of joints that are movable in human beings. Reduced concentrations of hyaluronan have long been postulated to contribute to medical conditions concerning the joints.

Promotes Healing of Joint Tissues

Hyaluronic acid has been in use as a treatment for degenerative joint disease, more commonly known as osteoarthritis, the most prevalent of all type of arthritis. There are a variety of causes that lead to the degeneration of joint tissues, and one of these is the decreasing weight of hyaluronan in the area of concern. Joint problems such as osteoarthritis are widely associated with the process of aging, and several studies point to the fact that hyaluronan is directly proportional to the health of joints.

Cartilage tissues, such as those found in joints, are different from other tissues in the mammalian body, inasmuch as cartilages don't have blood vessels running through them. As a consequence, the rate of healing of cartilaginous tissues are far slower than other tissues, and healing itself depends on other substances instead of common chemicals in the employ of the immune system. Hyaluronic acid not only promotes healing in joints, but also actively participates in the process of joint tissue growth.

Reduces Friction between Joints

Synovial joints, being the most common type of movable joints in the human body, are subject to daily wear and tear, and this is the reason why degenerative joint disease is prevalent among populations at mid-age and older. Synovial joints experience friction throughout a lifetime, and high concentrations of hyaluronic acid translate to a more effective reduction of friction between the joints. Hyaluronan is present in synovial fluid, which look slimy but displays a firm consistency.

This fluid is secreted into the inner part of the joint cavity called the synovial membrane from fibrous cells connected to the blood vessels outside the joints, and is primarily compose of hyaluronan. Normal conditions necessitate that the fluid is thick, but with the absence of hyaluronan, the fluid becomes less viscous, resulting in friction. The overall health of joints, devoid of pain and other symptoms associated with degenerative joint disease, is governed by the viscosity of this fluid.

Cushions Joint Tissues from Shock

The molecular structure of hyaluronic acid explains why joint tissues can withstand shock brought on by injury or other causes of physical trauma. In addition to its lubricating effects in the synovial fluid, hyaluronan defines the resilience of cartilaginous tissues, which are also a fundamental part of joints. It has been observed that as we age concentrations of hyaluronan in the cartilage increase owing to the fact that its molecular weight decreases.

Viscosupplementation make use of hyaluronic acid in treatment of osteoarthritis, which has been reported to lubricate the joints, repair joint tissues, and, in the process, removes pain. Supplementing with hyaluronic acid daily can help over time. Look for this wonderful supplement at your local or internet vitamin store in name brands like Source Naturals to ensure quality of what you buy for better health.

About the Author

If you want to ease joint pain, give hyaluronic acid a try risk free at VitaNet ®, LLC Vitamin Store. http://vitanetonline.com/

Author (Darrell Miller). Submitted on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 Time: 12:30 AM

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