What are the health benefits of hyaluronic acid supplements?
The health benefits of hyaluronic acid supplements are endless! Hyaluronic acid is one of those ingredients that you just can’t do without in your daily skincare routine. Regardless of your age or skin type, using a serum or moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid is going to hydrate your skin, smooth the texture of your skin and reduce any fine lines and wrinkles.
It provides all of these benefits because it holds more than 1000 times its own weight in water – drawing moisture into your skin’s cells and rehydrating your skin.
So what are the health benefits of hyaluronic acid supplements?
Hyaluronic acid has for many years been used by doctors to lubricate the joints of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis sufferers, as well as a treatment for dry itchy eyes. It’s only more recently that it has been used as a dermal filler in the cosmetic industry to plump up skin that is showing signs of premature aging. A reduction in subcutaneous fat and a loss of hyaluronic acid in your skin can all be reduced using hyaluronic acid dermal fillers – leaving your skin looking much more refreshed and youthful. Scarring is also another issue that can be much improved by using these dermal fillers.
The benefits of hyaluronic acid supplements therefore, can be quite profound, and can be of use to anyone who believes that they need more hyaluronic acid in their system. So if you have painful joints or dry itchy eyes, a supplement may prove a useful addition to your current medications (always check with your doctor first).
Supplements can also be of benefit if your skin is showing premature signs of aging – to support the hyaluronic acid in your serums and mositurizers.
Low vs high molecular weight hyaluronic acid
The benefits of hyaluronic acid supplements however, can be influenced by its molecular weight, because the molecular weight of the hyaluronic acid molecules makes a difference to its efficacy. The natural form of hyaluronic acid is as a high molecular weight molecule, which doesn’t tend to penetrate your skin’s cells very deeply.
In fact, high molecular weight hyaluronic acid tends to sit on top of the skin more often than being absorbed into your skin. This is the reason why facial serums that contain a low molecular form of hyaluronic acid are very popular (i.e. Joyal Beauty Hyaluronic Acid Serum). On the other hand, injections of hyaluronic acid used to treat osteoarthritis in joints are composed of the high molecular form, because it is injected directly into the joints and doesn’t need to penetrate the skin.
How does the molecular weight relate to supplements?
When you ingest supplements, the hyaluronic acid needs to be absorbed across your intestines and then into your blood stream. Just as if it was trying to pass through your skin cells, a high molecular weight hyaluronic acid can’t easily pass through the walls of your intestines, which means that your supplements need to be composed of the low molecular form.
The benefits of hyaluronic acid supplements are therefore seen best when you include a low molecular weight form of hyaluronic acid into your diet. So which of the hyaluronic acid supplements on the market contain low molecular weight hyaluronic acid?
Pure Encapsulations Hyaluronic Acid Supplement
The Pure Encapsulation Hyaluronic Acid Supplement contains either 60 or 180 capsules of low molecular weight HA (70mg). It is also free from wheat, gluten, eggs, peanuts, magnesium stearate, hydrogenated fat, artificial sweeteners and colors. It’s suitable for vegetarians and vegans, and is gluten free, soy free, dairy free and manufactured in the USA.
Jarrow Formulas Hyaluronic Acid Supplement
The Jarrow Formulas Hyaluronic Acid Supplement contains 60 capsules of 50mg of low molecular weight HA. It ‘s free from wheat, gluten, soy, eggs and nuts, and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
DaVinci Labs Hyaluronic Acid
The low molecular weight DaVinci Labs Hyaluronic Acid Supplement is available in 60 capsules (40mg HA) and is designed to hydrate, support healthy collagen, and thicken synovial fluid.
There are no artificial flavorings, preservatives, colors or sweeteners in these supplements and they are suitable for vegetarians. It does contain Salvia hispanica and lecithin to aid the absorption of hyaluronic acid.
Wellness Resources Hyaluronic Acid Supplement
The low molecular weight Wellness Resources Hyaluronic Acid Supplement is available in 60 capsules (10mg HA), but is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans as the low molecular weight HA comes from rooster combs (if a brand says that their HA is suitable for vegetarians and vegans it’s because the HA was sourced from bacterial fermentation not rooster combs).
This supplement does not contain milk, egg, fish, gluten, corn, peanuts, crustacean shellfish, soybeans, tree nuts, wheat, yeast, rice, hidden fillers, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors or sugar.
Douglas Labs Hyaluronic Acid Supplement
The low molecular weight Douglas Labs Hyaluronic Acid Supplement is available in 60 capsules (70mg HA) and is free from yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, dairy, sugar, starch, artificial colorings and artificial preservatives.
It promotes healthy joints, connective tissue and skin and supports the retention of synovial fluid. The hyaluronic acid is produced using a bacterial fermentation process (not from rooster combs), so it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
SOURCE NATURALS Hyaluronic Acid Supplement
The Source Naturals Hyaluronic Acid Supplement is available in 30, 60 or 120 tablets (50mg HA) and contains chondroitin sulphate and collagen type II peptides to support healthy skin and joint function.
This supplement does not contain yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, corn, soy, wheat, sugar, starch, salt, preservatives, artificial colors, flavors or fragrances.
FYI: Whichever brand of hyaluronic acid supplements you purchase, always check that the HA is is of a low molecular weight. Also if you are vegan or vegetarian, check where the HA has been sourced – rooster combs or bacterial fermentation. Unfortunately, many brands do not give you this information, but it pays to check just in case.
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