Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body that affects the health of the skin, eyes, and joints. It is a linear glycosaminoglycan (GAG), an anionic, gel-like, polymer, found in the extracellular matrix of epithelial and connective tissues of vertebrates. Hyaluronic acid is a polymer of disaccharides, which are composed of D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, linked via alternating β-(1→4) and β-(1→3) glycosidic bonds. It can be 25,000 disaccharide repeats in length, and polymers of hyaluronic acid can range in size from 5,000 to 20,000,000 Da in vivo. The average molecular weight in human synovial fluid is 3–4 million Da, and hyaluronic acid purified from human umbilical cord is 3,140,000 Da.

Pronunciation

Hyaluronic acid is pronounced as /ˌhaɪ.əljʊəˈrɒnɪk/ .

Positive Uses

Hyaluronic acid has many medical and commercial uses. It is available in a variety of forms, including dietary supplements, face creams, serums, eye drops, and injections. Some of the positive uses of hyaluronic acid include:

• Skin Health: Hyaluronic acid helps retain moisture in the skin and eyes, and it plays a crucial role in wound healing. It may also improve skin elasticity and reduce skin roughness.

• Joint Health: Hyaluronic acid acts as a cushion and lubricant in the joints and other tissues. It is used in injections to treat osteoarthritis of the knee.

Negative Effects

While hyaluronic acid is generally considered safe, there are some potential negative effects to be aware of. These include:

• Allergic Reactions: Some people may be allergic to hyaluronic acid, which can cause redness, swelling, and itching.

• Skin Complications: Applying hyaluronic acid to the skin while receiving radiation therapy might increase the risk of some skin complications.

• Scleroderma: Applying hyaluronic acid to the skin might make skin ulcers worse in people who have a condition called scleroderma.

Ingredients or Materials

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body, and it is also produced by bacteria in a laboratory setting. It is a glycosaminoglycan polysaccharide composed of alternating residues of the monosaccharides D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, which form a linear polysaccharide chain. In its pure form, hyaluronic acid is the same in all organisms and is not species or tissue-specific.