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by Rehan Jalali
Do you have joint problems, need to improve your skin or desire anti-aging effects? If so, hyaluronic acid (HA) may be the answer to your prayers. Ever since ABC News did a special on HA, calling it the “fountain of youth,” its popularity has soared.
In the village of Yuzurihara, Japan (also know as “village of long
life”), there seems to exist a population that has the longest life
span in the world. As featured on ABC, this village had one
common thread—maintenance of hyaluronic acid levels in
their bodies. The people of this village were living to old ages
without wrinkles and common age-related diseases. The ability
to produce HA from within decreases with age and therefore
supplementation is the best way to normalize levels. The
breakdown of collagen in joints is facilitated by an enzyme,
hyaluronidase, that specifically attacks HA. This causes joint
degradation and other problems in the body.
I think a little background on joint health is in order before
we look at the positive effects of HA. If you think osteoarthritis
is something that af.icts only ripening baby boomers and
nursing home residents, sit down and talk with former worldclass
gymnast Bart Conner someday, if the opportunity ever
presents itself. Conner, who fewer than 20 years ago took
home two Olympic gold medals and was considered one of
America’s top all-around athletes, today can hardly take out
the garbage. “It hurts to bend down and pull weeds in my
yard,” says the 44-year-old Conner, who was diagnosed with
osteoarthritis in his mid-20s. Indeed, a growing number of
athletes in their 20s and 30s are discovering, .rst hand, that
osteoarthritis isn’t just a problem for grandma or grandpa any
more. A new study from the University of Washington supports
many other studies that show athletes, including and
especially resistance-training athletes who hit it hard day in
and day out, are at high risk for the debilitating joint disease. At
present, doctors believe that osteoarthritis af.icts more than
20 million Americans. By 2020, that number is expected to
reach 40 million. Indeed, some researchers think we’re headed
for a full-blown epidemic of degenerative joint disease. Results
of an October 2002 nationwide survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that 69.9 million
adults—or one-third of the U.S. adult population—suffer from
arthritis or chronic joint pain symptoms.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition characterized
by the erosion of the cartilage at the ends of the bones.
Cartilage is the shock absorber of the joint and without it, joint
problems can occur. Due to wear and tear on the joints, the
once tough and slippery cartilage that separates the bones
may become soft, frayed and thinned—it basically wears
through like an old sock, leaving rough, bony surfaces to grind
on one another every time the joint moves. Scientists have also
recently identified a host of other things that can cause cartilage
degradation and osteoarthritis. Weak quadriceps muscles (in
the knees) can stress the joint. Eroding cartilage can cause
painful bone spurs but changes in bone structure can actually
erode cartilage as well. When cartilage erodes, certain immune
cells come in and help get rid of that tissue but they also seem to
attack healthy joint tissue, which can cause inflammation. Finally,
certain genes play a role in predetermining cartilage status. Left
untreated and unchecked, this can become very debilitating.
Hyaluronic acid is an endogenous uronic acid that is classified as a glycosaminoglycan (GAG). HA has been studied by
scientists for over 40 years. It is a key component to many
normal bodily functions and has hundreds of research studies
showing its value in skin and joint health.
It is naturally occurring in the body and the highest concentration
is found in the soft connective tissue where it is a major
component of the extracellular joint matrix. HA is present in
cartilage, in synovial joint fluid, and in the skin tissue, both
dermis and epidermis. Due to its composition and properties,
it can have anti-aging and joint supporting properties. As mentioned
earlier, joint health is not only vital to older individuals
with joint problems but also for hard training athletes. HA may
be important in supporting optimal joint function.
HA also supports healthy skin function and in one study
published in the Journal of Cellular Physiology in 1998, HA was
shown to help proliferate healthy skin cells in a collagen
matrix. HA enhances skin moisture (hydration) and functions
as a lubricant between the collagen matrix of the skin. Since it
is a component of the skin structure and declines with age,
supplementation can insure that adequate levels remain in the
skin to support its healthy appearance and function. Dry skin
can lead to many skin problems and HA addresses this issue.
Hey, who couldn’t use “good looking” skin? In fact, many
people have successfully used this nutrient to reduce the
appearance of wrinkles—sure beats facial injections.
HA specifically is a key nutrient in joint health. In a review by
R. W. Moskowitz from Case Western Reserve University entitled
“Hyaluronic acid supplementation” and published in
2000, he states that “Hyaluronan preparations have been
shown to decrease pain and increase function in patients with
osteoarthritis of the knee.” HA seems to work through several
mechanisms of action including restoration of more normal
synovial fluid with improved viscoelasticity, effects on cartilage
biosynthesis and degradation, anti-inflammatory effects, and
direct analgesic effects. This is the most important effect it has
for athletes. It can actually be taken to support healthy joints
(preventative maintenance), not only to support recovery from
joint injury. What’s interesting is that The American College of Rheumatology actually recommends intra-articular injection of
hyaluronans, which are available as several distinct therapeutic
products, as an alternative to oral analgesics or nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs for the symptomatic treatment of
pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. A large body of
literature supports the clinical efficacy and safety of this therapeutic
class for this indication. According to a 2003 published
study by R. D. Altman entitled “Status of hyaluronan supplementation
therapy in osteoarthritis,” the researcher states that
“compared with currently approved nonoperative therapies for
osteoarthritis, hyaluronans may also have beneficial effects on
the disease process in osteoarthritis.” This is definitely solid
validation of HA from a credible source.
Although it’s not a well-known benefit of HA, wound healing
is another positive effect of HA. Hyaluronic acid has been
shown to support wound healing in a big way. In a study entitled
“The properties of hyaluronan and its role in wound
healing,” published in 2001, HA is discussed as having wound
healing properties. It seems to work through its water
retaining properties.
A good source for HA is BioCell Collagen II®. There are 14
different types of collagen found in the body but only type II is
the most abundant in the joint matrix. BioCell Collagen II and
its components can have a powerful impact on joints and conditions
associated with abnormal joint function. This nutrient,
derived from the cartilage of chicken, has been shown in a
number of studies to help ease symptoms of certain arthritic
conditions including osteoarthritis. In a 1993 study of 60
patients published in the journal Science, researchers from
Boston’s Beth Israel Hospital found that 80 percent of the subjects
experienced decreased joint swelling and tenderness
after three months of supplementation, compared to only 13
percent in the placebo group. “Four patients in the collagen
group had complete remission of the disease,” the researchers
report. Reinforcing this idea is yet another study in the FASEB
Journal of Experimental Biology that published the results of a
double-blind clinical trial in 2003 of subjects taking 100 mg
twice of day of BioCell Collagen II. The subjects after eight
weeks reported a decrease in joint pain and stiffness in their
knee, hip and hands as well as overall improvements to their
quality of life. It seems that HA in combination with collagen
type II and chrondroitin sulfate is not only helpful for joint
health but actually lessens the familiar pain and stiffness associated
with osteoarthritis and degenerative diseases.
One other study published in 2000 entitled “Role of collagen
hydrolysate in bone and joint disease,” reviews how collagen
can be a powerful tool in helping with osteoarthritis and
even osteoporosis. The researchers of this study state: “Its
high level of safety (hydrolyzed collagen) makes it attractive as
an agent for long-term use in these chronic disorders.” The
components of BioCell Collagen II including chondroitin sulfate,
HA, and glucosamine sulfate can support proteoglycans
and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the joint matrix, thereby
increasing synovial (joint) fluid and supporting cartilage synthesis
in the joints. This can enhance a joint’s shock absorption
capabilities as well as lower the chance for deterioration.
BioCell Collagen II contains highly efficacious and naturally
occurring levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), glucosamine sulfate,
depolymerized chondroitin sulfate (higher absorption rate),
protein and cartilage matrix glycoprotein. BioCell Collagen II is
the only hydrolyzed 100 percent pure chicken sternum derived
collagen type II ingredient shown to be safe and effective. It
provides low molecular weight compounds which are readily
and easily absorbed into the bloodstream. It has high levels of
the anti-aging nutrient hyaluronic acid. This powerful
HA Absorption
Recently, there has been some discussion on
the absorption rate of oral hyaluronic acid.
Some previously published studies showed
that certain forms of pure HA were not
absorbed and thus unavailable for use by the
human body.
There is some exciting research that confirms
the absorption of oral HA in the BioCell Collagen
II matrix. Dr. William Judy, senior scientist at
SIBR Research, conducted a double-blind
study and noted that BioCell Technology’s
product containing HA, manufactured using a
patented technology, is absorbed orally and is
readily available for use by the body. The solid
absorption rate was not only evident after a
single dose but also at a steady dose daily for
28 days. This study showed high bioavailability
for HA in this form. Since previous studies
showed very poor absorption rate of HA,
taking it in this special collagen matrix seems
to solve that problem and allows HA to be
absorbed well. With high absorption, HA can
do its magic in the body. |
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and
research proven ingredient contains key components like glucosamine
and chondroitin sulfate which can help support
healthy skin and joint function to combat the degenerative
effects of aging. This product is hydrolyzed and denatured to
low molecular weight compounds that increase bioavailability
and absorption into the bloodstream after an oral dose. Other
native or undenatured products DO NOT have this high absorption
rate due to their lager molecule size. BioCell Collagen II is
so effective that it has been awarded a United States Patent
(US patent #6,025,327) for the treatment of connective tissue
disorder, osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, joint
defects, vascular disease and cartilage injuries.
Whether you’re an athlete looking to boost joint function or
address joint problems or a weekend warrior who has stressed
the joints over the years, HA may be the treatment option that
your customers have been looking for. Plus the healthy skin
benefits and possible anti-aging effects only make this nutrient
more attractive. A good dose of HA is 200 mg taken in divided
doses daily. Taking HA can really have an impact on your joints
and make you look better too!
Rehan Jalali is a sports nutritionist and president of the
Supplement Research Foundation (www.tsrf.com).
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