Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid in Joints, Eyes, Hair, Skin, and the Entire Body

The benefits of hyaluronic acid (HA) are numerous. This substance, sometimes referred to as hyaluronic or hyaluronate, is a carbohydrate and a mucopolysaccharide. It is produced naturally in the body.

When the sugars or carbohydrates in hyaluronic acid are not bound to other molecules, they bind with water, giving it a gelatinous appearance. By attracting moisture, it becomes one of the most interesting substances for treating wrinkles, expression lines, and other aesthetic treatments, as well as in orthopedic and ocular surgery.

Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid

In orthopedics, the benefits of hyaluronic acid include its role as a lubricating substance for the joints. It facilitates the movement of non-rigid body parts, muscles, joints, cartilage… Its consistency and viscosity make it a special product with properties for the skin, being an excellent moisturizer. That is, it is a hydrating substance and very beneficial for joints like the knees, hips, etc.

HA molecules are among the most hydrophilic in nature, and this provides numerous benefits for the human body. It can be described as a “natural hydrating product.” Learn more about what hyaluronic acid is and its applications.

If you think about the joints in the human body, you are likely to realize that the knees, elbows, and every joint in the human body need a type of fluid, just as hinges need oil to function without squeaking.

Over time, joints need to restore their hyaluronic acid levels to prevent damage from friction. As we age, less hyaluronic acid is produced, and movement without this viscous fluid can wear down cartilage, break bones, and cause pain.

As we age, the viscosity provided by hyaluronic acid decreases, and its presence in the body is reduced. Therefore, using supplementary products that add back what is missing becomes essential.

Properties of Hyaluronic Acid

It is a crystalline and sticky substance both in the human body and in synthetic form. Hyaluronic acid has the property of increasing its size a thousand times due to its ability to absorb water, which gives it significant hydrating and rejuvenating power. Used in aesthetic treatments, it helps regenerate collagen and the internal structure of the skin. In regenerative medicine and joint diseases, it helps relieve pain and improve joint movement. Thanks to its lubricating properties, it is used for a wide variety of treatments and ailments.

It can also be found dry or hydrolyzed, in powder form. In this case, its appearance is similar to other substances sold in bottles or tablets.

What is its Chemical Structure?

The human body produces it naturally and chemically it is identified as a glycosaminoglycan, a component of connective tissues. In the body, hyaluronic acid is present as a substance with high molecular weight, composed of two modified simple sugars, glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine.

These compounds have a negative charge, and when they encounter each other, they produce mutual repulsion, or creation of high molecular weight. It is somewhat like how the poles of a magnet repel each other. Only instead of magnets, these are substances that the body needs.

What is the Origin of Hyaluronic Acid?

The origin of hyaluronic acid dates back to 1942 when Endre Balazs applied for a patent to use it as an egg substitute in baking.

Because hyaluronic acid is a gelatinous substance, Balazs began to use it in the commercial industry. As with other major discoveries in humanity, its discoverer immediately realized that it would be very difficult to find another substance with so many beneficial properties for the body. Enthusiastic about having made a great discovery, Endre Balazs devoted much of his life to studying the benefits of hyaluronic acid (hyaluronate), its origins in humans, and its properties in animals.

Where is Hyaluronic Acid Found in the Body?

You can find it in every cell that makes up the human body. It is also present in the cells of mammals and fish. Hyaluronic acid is found throughout all the tissues that form the human body.

The peculiarity is that depending on the body region it is located in, it has different functions. It can act as a lubricant, moisturizer, aqueous medium, or nutritive substance.

Unfortunately, the life span of hyaluronic acid is limited, averaging 3 days, and only 1 day when in the skin. This is why the body is in a constant state of production and replacement of hyaluronate molecules. If it were not produced naturally, we would run out of it in our bodies within a few days.

Below we will describe the areas of the human body where hyaluronic acid is found and its anatomical function.

Other Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid

Bones and Cartilage

This transparent substance is found in all human bones and cartilage. The structure that allows us to stand and maintain upright postures is possible thanks to these. It also supports movement and sports activities. HA is found in various cartilages but especially in hyaline cartilage. Unlike other types, this cartilage does not contain nerves or blood vessels.

The name hyaluronic comes from hyaline, which covers the ends of long bones when there is flexion. This creates a cushioning effect that protects the bone from impacts. Hyaline cartilage is also found at the tip of the nose, connects the ribs to the sternum, and is part of the larynx, trachea, and bronchial tubes.

Hyaluronic Acid in Joints

Our elbows and knees are surrounded by synovial fluid, which forms a thick and gelatinous liquid that acts as a lubricating and protective fluid. This liquid is viscous and cushions impacts and friction between bones. When the synovial fluid is not in good condition, joints can cause significant pain even with small movements. In addition to promoting mobility, another beneficial property of hyaluronic acid in joints and cartilage is the removal of waste from the joint capsule.

Tendons, Ligaments, Connective Tissue

Connective tissues link many parts of the body. Their main functions are support, protection, and insulation. Structures connect muscles to bones (tendons and ligaments). Connective tissue contains three structural elements: hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin (elastic fibers) and a type of fundamental cells. Given that connective tissues make up a large part of the human body, the benefits in tendons and ligaments include cushioning, support, and tension of connective tissues. All of this is made possible by its gelatinous properties.

Hair and Scalp

The scalp is the skin on the head that contains hair follicles, which produce hair. Composed of two layers of skin, the epidermis and dermis, it is the base structure that houses the follicles allowing hair growth. The dermis, made up of connective tissue, contains its gelatinous fluid that supports nutrition, hydration, and support for the scalp. The benefits of hyaluronic acid for hair include providing hydration to ensure the health of the scalp.

Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid in Lips

The lips are skeletal muscles covered by skin, which has a different tone and structure compared to the rest of the body. The skin layer that makes up the lips is primarily connective tissue, making hyaluronic acid in lips abundant, just like collagen. Both create structure and volume, giving the appearance of plump lips. Thanks to its moisturizing properties, collagen, which keeps the skin smooth and tight, remains nourished, giving a healthy appearance. The benefits of hyaluronic acid in lips include promoting hydration and creating a fuller structure while protecting them from the environment.

In the Eyes

The eyeball has a high concentration of HA. The fluid in the eye is almost entirely composed of hyaluronic acid or hyaluronate molecules. This viscous gel-like fluid is called vitreous humor, and it acts as a lubricant and nutrient facilitator. Hyaluronic acid in the eyes is beneficial in eye surgeries to help maintain healthy vision. After the age of fifty, HA production in the eyes decreases significantly, leading to various eye diseases.

Gingival Tissue

The gums are composed of connective tissue that anchors the teeth to the alveolar bone, the jawbone. As with other connective tissues mentioned, gums and oral tissues are a fundamental part of their structure. They provide hydration and nutrients to the ligaments, making them resilient. Unfortunately, with age, some gingival tissue is lost, leading to weaker oral tissue health. This is why you can currently buy hyaluronic acid products.

Properties and Benefits for the Skin

In addition to being found in every cell of the body, it is present in high concentrations in the skin. It is one of the places where this substance is most abundant. About 50% is found in the skin, distributed across all skin layers, deep and superficial. All young, rosy, and healthy-looking skin contains a large amount of HA. For the tissue to be elastic and wrinkle-free, it is essential that hyaluronic acid in the skin is present, benefiting from its hydrating power, collagen and elastin production, and the elasticity these substances promote.

The skin makes up about 15% of body weight, and having a supply of hyaluronic acid and collagen is crucial. Thanks to collagen, we enjoy elastic and firm skin, and thanks to hyaluronate molecules, collagen can remain hydrated and maintain elasticity. Without these two components, when the skin is stretched, it cannot return to its usual shape, leading to wrinkles and sagging in a short time.

Extracellular Matrix (ECM)

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a gelatinous fluid that surrounds mammalian cells and is necessary for life. It is generally known as connective tissue. In this fluid, cells reside and can join to form more complex structures. Without it, we would have millions of disconnected cells without a coherent function. We would not be complex multicellular organisms but a jumble of individual cells. The ECM is composed of elastin and collagen, surrounded by HA, which gives it its gelatinous appearance. The properties and benefits of hyaluronic acid to the ECM are due to its ability to increase in size up to 1000 times with water, facilitating the coexistence and nourishment of cells within the extracellular matrix.