New Study Shows PharmaGABA Promotes Muscle Growth!

Natural Form of GABA Receives Stronger Health Claims in Japan: New Study Shows PharmaGABA Promotes Muscle Growth!

Japan has a very interesting and practical regulatory system for food ingredients. If a food or food ingredient has sufficient clinical evidence of safety and effectiveness, it may be registered as a Food for Specified Health Use or FOSHU by the Japanese equivalent of the FDA. One of the stars of the FOSHU status in Japan is the natural form of the amino acid GABA, known in the United States as PharmaGABA.

I was recently in Japan to participate in a major media event and conference celebrating the expanded FOSHU status of PharmaGABA for the relief of stress and anxiety. The conference highlighted some of the recent clinical studies on PharmaGABA .

New study was presented showing a rather remarkable effect in promoting muscle growth when combined with whey protein and resistance training. The results showed PharmaGABA produced a dramatic increase compared to those subjects who simply took whey protein and participated in resistance training. These results are discussed more fully below.

Background Data:
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a major neurotransmitter that is abundantly and widely distributed throughout the central nervous system (CNS). Low levels or decreased GABA function in the brain is associated with several psychiatric and neurological disorders, but primarily anxiety, depression, insomnia and epilepsy.

PharmaGABA is manufactured via a fermentation process that utilizes the probiotic Lactobacillus hilgardii. This natural form has been shown to produce effects not achieved by the synthetic form of GABA, which is produced from pyrrolidinone – an industrial solvent. PharmaGABA has been shown to produce relaxation as evidenced by:
• Increasing the alpha to beta brain wave ratio.
• Preserving salivary antibody production during stress.
• Reducing markers of stress including cortisol levels.
• Improve sleep quality as noted by an ability to decrease the time required to go to sleep, promote proper sleep rhythm, and increase the time spent in both deep sleep stages and REM sleep.
Once ingested, it is absorbed easily and binds to GABA receptors outside the brain that ultimately lead to activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. This arm of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for producing what is referred to as the “relaxation response,” a physiological response that is in direct contrast to the stress or “fight or flight” response. This activation of the parasympathetic nervous system by PharmaGABA is measurable within 5 to 30 minutes after ingestion.

New Data:
There is evidence that PharmaGABA may increase growth hormone (GH) secretion in response to weight lifting exercise. Since GH is an important regulator of body composition including muscle protein synthesis, GABA may enhance the muscle building effects of protein ingestion after weight lifting exercise. To test this hypothesis in a double-blind clinical trial conducted in Japan, 26 healthy male volunteers were divided into two groups: whey protein 10 g/day (WP group), or whey protein 10 g/day + GABA 100 mg/day (WP+G) group.
After 12 weeks, change in whole body lean mass was significantly higher in
WP+G group compared to that in WP group. The difference in whole body lean mass in the WP+G compared to WP alone is substantial.

The study also looked at resting GH levels throughout the study and results confirmed a positive effect with PharmaGABA on GH levels. At the 4 week checkup the GH concentation in the WP+G was 689 compared to 387 in the WP group. These results have significant ramifications for not just athletes trying to maximize performance, but also aging baby boomers seeking to preserve or perhaps even build muscle mass.

Commentary:
There is another explanation to the benefits to PharmaGABA in supporting exercise-induced muscle growth besides raising GH levels. Poor sleep quality is a big problem in athletes and may inhibit some of the muscle-building benefits of weight training. As PharmaGABA definitely improves sleep quality, this effect may turn out to be the major factor for the observed effect of increased muscle mass in response to weight training exercise.

For stress relief, PharmaGABA can be taken at a dosage of 100 to 200 mg up to three times daily. To promote a better night’s sleep take 100 to 200 mg at bedtime. PharmaGABA is completely safe and without any known adverse drug interaction. As a general guideline, it is recommended to take no more than 600 mg within a 6 hour period and no more than 1,200 mg within a 24 hour period.

The key to getting results with GABA is to utilize the natural form, like PharmaGABA. The synthetic form derived from a chemical solvent has not been shown to produce the same benefit.

You can find PharmaGABA here IHERB.COM

Use coupon code welcome5 in shopping cart for 5$ OFF.

Reference:
Sakashita M, Nakamura U, Maru I, et al. Combined oral intake of GABA with whey protein improves lean mass in resistance-trained men. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2016 May;48(5 Suppl 1):54. doi: 10.1249/01.

NEW Smoothie Ingredients

Here are some surprising, but healthy ingredients that you can add to your smoothies!

Smoothies are instantly refreshing, satisfying, and delicious. We sometimes use them as a way to ingest foods that our bodies need that may not be so pleasant on their own. You should add the following ingredients to the list.

Green tea is a catechin and an antioxidant, so it packs a lot of benefits. Research shows that it may reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer by up to 50 percent. It could also reduce the risk of several other cancers. Green tea might help fight heart disease and stroke, and studies in 2011 showed that it significantly reduced cholesterol levels. The best type to add to your smoothies is matcha tea in brewed or powdered form.

Collagen occurs naturally in the body and is what's responsible for giving our skin elasticity. It also helps improve the quality of your hair, nails, muscles, and bones. Reap all the benefits from collagen powder by pairing it with an ingredient containing vitamin D or A.

Seaweed is high in fiber and loaded with beneficial minerals and trace elements. It also increases gut health and makes you feel full longer. Keep the flavor of this sea veggie from overpowering your smoothie by only using a teaspoonful of kelp powder, dulse flakes, or dried, soaked seaweed.

Some of these items can be purchased from iHerb's Grocery Page!

Beauty From Within

How olives, green tea, hyaluronic acid, and silicon can make your more beautiful

Radiant and vibrant hair, skin, and nails have long been associated with good health. While most people try and improve the appearance of these tissues from the outside, the real secret to healthy skin, beautiful hair, and strong nails comes from within. And it starts with good nutrition and key dietary supplements.

A deficiency of any essential nutrient, including vitamins, minerals, fat, or protein, can cause impaired manufacture of new skin cells. A healthy diet is therefore crucial for hair, skin, and nail health and overall appearance. Taking key supplements is equally as important. Start with a high-potency multivitamin/mineral formula and a pharmaceutical-grade fish oil—these two supplements offer a balance of essential beauty nutrients for people of all ages.

Preventing Wrinkles

Why does skin wrinkle? The main culprit is free radical damage from external (sun, pollution) and internal (cigarette smoke, poor diet) causes. Over time, the amount of fat stored in the layers just below the skin also diminishes, causing the skin to sag. And as we age, the collagen in skin loses its ability to hold its shape. We can blame this on decreased hyaluronic acid production: By age 70, most people will have lost approximately 80 percent of the hyaluronic acid they had at 40. As a result, the collagen fibers become fewer and farther between. As the network of collagen and hyaluronic acid shrinks, the skin becomes thinner and less elastic. Glands that secret natural oils also wither away, causing skin to become dry and itchy.

To prevent wrinkles from forming, be sure to eat a diet rich in antioxidants and do your best to avoid free radical exposure. There’s also more you can do: Consider taking the following innovative supplements to help restore collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid.

Olive Fruit Extract and Green Tea

An interesting antioxidant for skin health is olive fruit extract. Population-based studies have shown a negative correlation between the consumption of olives and wrinkle formation. In other words, a higher intake of olives can mean fewer wrinkles. Olive fruit (but not the leaves) contains verbascoside, a polyphenol molecule that has shown exceptional antioxidant effects specific to skin health. In studies conducted by Japanese and Italian researchers, olive fruit extract standardized to contain 10 percent polyphenols (Opextan) was shown both to prevent free radical—mediated degeneration of the skin—a process that can lead to wrinkle formation—and to protect the skin from other signs of damage.

The same can be said for green tea extract and its chief polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). This healthy elixir also has an ability to protect against free radical damage to the skin, particularly damage caused by ultraviolet radiation.

How much do you need? The dosage of olive fruit extract (or Opextan) is 60 to 120 mg daily. The dosage for green tea extract is based on polyphenol levels, with a typical dosage of 150 to 300 mg daily.

Hyaluronic Acid

A major component of skin, hyaluronic acid is heavily involved in promoting and enhancing the skin’s collagen matrix (or structure). When skin becomes damaged by free radicals, it gets inflamed and the skin cells start producing less and less hyaluronic acid. This leads to wrinkle formation. And as mentioned earlier, your skin’s hyaluronic acid content also naturally decreases with age.

Hyaluronic acid injections are used in medical spas to fill in wrinkles. But taking hyaluronic acid supplements may actually be a more effective solution. For one thing, hyaluronic acid supplements may have a longer-lasting effect than injections. Plus: hyaluronic acid supplements are more natural, and offer a less invasive way to deliver this important compound into the skin.

Clinical studies have shown that hyaluronic supplements have the ability to increase the skin’s moisture content, resulting in a dramatic improvement the skin’s appearance among patients with dry and rough skin.

How much do you need? The dosage used in the clinical trials was 120 mg daily. Look for supplements that offer “highly bioavailable” hyaluronic acid.

Silicon

Silicon is an essential element needed for the normal growth and development of skin, hair, and nails—which require healthy collagen formation. Studies show that BioSil, a highly bioavailable and stabilized form of silicon, increases levels of hydroxyproline, an amino acid involved in collagen and elastin production.

Scientists from the University of Brussels in Belgium conducted a 20-week double-blind study involving 50 women (ages 40 to 65) with signs of sun damage and premature aging. Half received 10 mg of BioSil and the other half a placebo. The BioSil group experienced a 30 percent improvement in shallow, fine lines, a 55 percent increase in skin elasticity, and a significant reduction in brittle nails and hair.

How much do you need? A typical dosage of silicon is 5 mg twice daily.

Aging gracefully

Bestselling health author and Better Nutrition columnist Michael T. Murray, ND, shares his personal health secrets

BN: You’re a vibrant looking 53-year-old. To what do you attribute your youthful looks?

Murray: I think it’s the result of everything that I’ve done consistently for my entire adult life—my diet, attitude, lifestyle, and supplement program for the past 25 years. When you study what causes people to age prematurely, you start to see how everything is connected and why it’s so important to address every facet.

BN: What do you think are some of the most important steps you have taken to slow down the aging process?

Murray: About eight years ago, I started using PGX supplements—a special dietary fiber matrix. A key aspect of fighting the effects of aging is to enhance your body’s sensitivity to insulin and stabilize your blood sugar levels within a narrow range. Nothing does that better than PGX. I credit it for the fact that my lean muscle mass and body fat percentage in my late 40s and 50s are better than any time in my adult life.

BN: What about other supplements?

Murray: In addition to PGX, I take a high-potency multivitamin/multimineral, a “green foods drink,” and a pharmaceutical-grade fish oil, as well as a variety of specialty antioxidants like CoQ10, alpha-lipoic acid, and flavonoid-rich extracts. If you look at cultures where long lives are common, a high intake of flavonoids is one of the common features.

Discover these benefits of vitamin C serum for your face.

When your skin is making you look older than you really are, vitamin C serum may be a solution. It features ascorbic acid, which is a powerful anti-aging vitamin.

The ascorbic acid works as an antioxidant, which helps reverse oxidation in your skin, which is the process that causes you to develop an uneven skin tone and fine lines that make you look older.

Another benefit of vitamin C serum comes from its ability to stimulate collagen production, which is the material that provides support for your skin's connective tissue. Collagen helps your face to look fuller like it did when you were younger.

It also promotes the healing of small wounds and blemishes. 

The use of vitamin C serum directly on your face can help heal a scratch or an acne scar and may even erase scars from previous acne outbreaks.

Visit iHerb to check out the variety of Vitamin C serums as well as other facial serums that we carry.

http://www.iherb.com

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При расчете введите промокод WELCOME5 или нажмите кнопку ниже, чтобы сразу использовать промокод в своей корзине.

Ingrese el código promocional WELCOME5 al momento de pagar o haga clic en el botón de abajo para aplicar el código promocional directamente a su carrito de compras.

在结算时使用促销代码WELCOME5 或者点击下方按钮直接将此促销代码应用于您的购物车。

Geben Sie bei der Bezahlung den Aktionscode WELCOME5 ein oder klicken Sie auf den Button unten, um den Aktionscode direkt auf Ihren Warenkorb anzuwenden.

Insira o código promocional WELCOME5 ao finalizar a compra, ou clique no botão abaixo para aplicar o código promocional diretamente ao seu carrinho.

PQQ Lowers LDL-Cholesterol Levels

Introduction

Every major advance in nutritional medicine generally starts out as an unknown entity. That is certainly true for PQQ (short for pyrroloquinoline quinone). Although PQQ is a relatively new dietary supplement on the market, its potential is absolutely enormous. The potential benefits are nearly limitless as it has shown a wide range of enhancements to brain and body function. It is especially powerful in its ability to boost brain function, including memory.

A new study with BioPQQ™ – a safe form of PQQ produced through a natural fermentation process – indicates that it can lower LDL cholesterol levels in subjects with initial levels greater than 140 mg/dl. PQQ is known to activate the enzyme AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPk) that helps to regulate blood lipid levels.

Background Data:

Although PQQ is not currently viewed as a vitamin, it is likely to be considered an essential nutrient in the future. PQQ serves as a cofactor for a special class of enzymes involved in cellular function including cellular growth, development, differentiation, and survival. Without PQQ, our cells would cease to function properly. PQQ has been found in all plant foods analyzed to date. PPQ-rich foods include parsley, green peppers, kiwi fruit, papaya and tofu. These foods contain about 2-3 mcg per 100 grams. Studies with PQQ generally use dosage levels of 10 to 20 mg, which are levels much higher than the typical dietary intake of about 100 mcg.

One key action of PQQ involves a direct action on major enzymes involved in the energy producing compartments in our cells of the mitochondria. As a result, PQQ improves energy production; current research has primarily focused on its ability to protect memory and cognition in both aging animals and humans. Here are some of the effects noted:

• PQQ reverses cognitive impairment caused by chronic oxidative stress and improve performance on memory tests in animal models.
• PQQ prevents the development of osteoarthritis in an animal model.
• PQQ protects nerve cells from the damaging effects of the beta-amyloid-protein linked with Alzheimer’s disease.
• The combination of PQQ and CoQ10 (respectively, 20 mg and 300 mg) improved mental function in a human double-blind study.
• PQQ (0.2 mg PQQ/kg body weight) increased the antioxidant potential and energy metabolism while decreasing inflammation in another double-blind study.
• 
  

New Data:

In this new study, the effects of PQQ (as BioPQQ™) on serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels were examined in humans after 6 and 12 weeks of supplementation at an oral dosage of 20 mg per day. A total of 29 healthy adults, ranging from 40 to 57 years old, with normal to moderately high triglyceride levels (110-300 mg/dL) were included in the study. While the average serum triglyceride levels did not change; in those subjects with LDL-cholesterol levels ≥140 mg/dl), at 6 weeks PQQ supplementation produced a statistically significant decrease in total cholesterol (from an average of 247 to 216 mg/dl) and LDL-cholesterol (from an average of 156 to 132 mg/dl). Results persisted at 12 weeks.

These results show that PQQ supplementation may produce meaningful reductions in LDL-cholesterol presumably as a result of AMPk activation. It adds to a growing body of clinical data on the benefits of this important compound.

Commentary:

PQQ activates AMPk, an enzyme that is found inside every cell that serves as a “master regulating switch” in energy metabolism. Low levels of AMPk activity is associated with:

• Accelerated aging
• Chronic inflammation
• High blood cholesterol and triglycerides
• Increased visceral “belly” fat
• Insulin resistance
• Mitochondrial insufficiency and dysfunction
• Neurodegeneration
• Obesity
• Poor blood sugar control

Since PQQ activates AMPk it is only a matter of time before clinical data is produced showing PQQ is helpful for a long list of health challenges.

Consumers need to be aware of different forms of PQQ on the marketplace. BioPQQ™ is the only form that I know of that is produced naturally. Other forms are produced through a chemical synthesis and involve the use of fairly toxic compounds. Read labels closely and use only BioPQQ™.

Reference:

Nakano M, Kawasaki Y, Suzuki N, Takara T. Effects of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Disodium Salt Intake on the Serum Cholesterol Levels of Healthy Japanese Adults.

Shop at IHERB.COM and SAVE 5$ 

Homemade Eye Cream with Frankincense & Shea Butter

Because we cannot see inside the body, the skin often provides the first obvious marks of the passing time and aging. It is a known fact that as we age, our skin becomes less resilient, resulting in dry skin and wrinkles in most people. Often, the first place this is visible is not only the face, but around the eyes. Yes, I’m talking about the dreaded crow’s feet.

Now, diet is a huge component in how our skin looks and feels; however, there are ways to positively affect the skin and create a beautiful glow and fewer wrinkles, including less visible crow’s feet, using natural remedies, including this homemade eye cream with frankincense essential oil and shea butter.

While is seems that the best solution is to simply replace the oils that we lose due to aging and free radicals found in environmental toxins, it simply isn’t that easy. As reported by the journal Dermato Endocrinology, skin aging is a complex biological process influenced by a combination of factors, such as genetics, cellular metabolism, hormone and metabolic processes as well as chronic light exposure, pollution, ionizing radiation, chemicals and toxins. These factors together lead to the progressive changes in each skin layer as well as changes in the appearance of the skin, especially on the sun-exposed skin areas. (1)

Finely wrinkled and dry aged skin, especially in the eye region, is very common due to years of abuse. This happens because of gradual loss of skin elasticity, which is part of the cause of slower healing in older adults. 

What specifically can help reduce wrinkles around the eyes? Reduced collagen type VII, often caused by sun-exposed aged skin, may contribute to wrinkles by weakening the bond between the dermis and epidermis as we get older. And because of a loss of collagen, older skin begins to look irregular and disorganized by increasing the number of wrinkles and less firm areas of the skin, in particular on the face and around the eyes.

The overall collagen content per unit area of the skin surface is known to decline approximately 1 percent per year. Three primary structural components of the dermis — collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) —have been the focus of most anti-aging research pertaining to the skin to include anti-wrinkle creams and various filling agents that you may find at the dermatologist.

Ultimately, the basis of any natural skin care routine is to achieve healthy, smooth, blemish-free, translucent and resilient skin. To help achieve the best results and to avoid toxic chemicals found in most commercial products, consider making a homemade eye cream.

Because natural oils are pure and do not contain toxic ingredients, they can be absorbed safely and effectively —helping your skin and the areas around your eyes retain moisture and, therefore, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. It works by allowing the nutrients and proteins in essential oils like frankincense oil to encourage cell-regeneration. Try this homemade eye cream today!

Homemade Eye Cream with Frankincense & Shea Butter

Total Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 30 uses

INGREDIENTS:

• 10 drops frankincense essential oil
• 1 ounce pure aloe vera gel
• 1 ounce unrefined shea butter
• 1 ounce unrefined coconut oil
• ½ teaspoon vitamin E

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl.
2. If needed (for colder months when the coconut oil is solid), you can gently heat the shea butter and coconut oil in a small pan, then add the rest of the ingredients so that it blends easier.
3. Once well blended, transfer into a glass jar.
4. Use every morning and night around the eyes.

You can find all ingredients from article at IHERB.COM

Hyaluronic Acid Benefits for Skin & Joints

Many people spend countless hours using harmful beauty products to keep their skin looking vibrant and young. But there’s a better way. Hyaluronic acid can keep your skin glowing, and it also benefits your joints — all without the harmful side effects of toxic skin products.

Hyaluronic acid is often recommended by dermatologists and other physicians for its ability to improve skin’s texture and appearance, along with reducing joint pain and other symptoms associated with aging. HA is probably most well-known for its inclusion in pricey anti-aging skin serums, but you’ll also find it joint-supporting formulas, cold sore treatments, eye drops and lip balms.

So what is hyaluronic acid exactly, and how does it work?

Hyaluronic acid is a lubricating, clear substance that’s produced by the body naturally. In the human body, hyaluronic acid is found in the greatest concentrations in the skin, inside joints, within the eye sockets and in other tissues where it helps retain collagen, increase moisture, and provide elasticity and flexibility.

Today, HA is incorporated into different anti-aging beauty and health care products — you can now find hyaluronic acid lotions, creams, serums and supplements sold in health food stores. There’s a good chance your dermatologist even offers HA in injection form. Read on to learn why.

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Hyaluronic Acid Benefits

1. Hydrates Dry, Aged Skin

Many people report that their skin feels “dewier,” the bags under their eyes become lighter and their skin texture is smoother after applying serums containing hyaluronic acid. The primary way in which HA helps improve appearance of “chronoaged skin” (skin aged due to sun exposure) is by reducing water loss. In fact, one reason that hormone replacement treatments sometimes cause the skin to look more youthful and less sun-damaged is because they increase the skin’s HA concentration. 

Dryness, dandruff, drooping eyes or lips, and sagginess are associated with aging skin because as we get older molecules in our skin lose some of their ability to bind and retain water. This not only causes dryness, but also decreases skin’s volume. Skin aging is triggered by both intrinsic and extrinsic aging, meaning daily environmental exposure to pollutants and UV light, along with the “the normal process of aging.” Studies show there are multiple sites in the skin involved in the control of HA synthesis, deposition, cell and protein association and degradation.

Researchers have found that stratum corneum dryness caused from prolonged sun exposure plays an important role in wrinkle formation. It’s now been shown that wrinkles and fine lines are usually also more visible in low humidity compared to high humidity environments because they further reduce the water-holding capacity and elasticity of the skin. HA can help naturally reduce signs of aging by decreasing “epidermis water loss” associated with sun exposure, skin dryness or flakiness.

2. Helps Reduce Wrinkles

Although most research shows that HA might take six weeks or more to improve skin’s appearance, some studies have found that anti-wrinkle HA serums and eye creams can sometimes start to work within just two to four weeks of use. For more substantial anti-aging results, dermatologists now use prescription injections or formulas containing hyaluronic acids (including Juvéderm Ultra Plus or Allergan) over the course of several months to reduce lip and eye sagginess.

Results from a 2014 double-blind, randomized clinical trial that appeared in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology showed that products containing hyaluronic acid effectively decreased the appearance of wrinkles and reduced skin sagging within 30 days of consistent use. Some study participants also reported experiencing fuller lips and increased cheek volume by the end of one month (two traits associated with having a youthful appearance). The trial was carried out on 40 adult females who showed mild to moderate clinical signs of skin aging prior to the study, including decreased skin volume and alterations in the skin’s surface. After either applying a product called Fillerina (which contains six forms of hyaluronic acid) or a placebo product, results were measured after three hours and then seven, 14 and 30 days later. 

Researchers found that after 30 days (and some starting after 14 days), those using Fillerina showed significant “improvements in facial contours and volumes” compared to the placebo group, and to the baseline measurements. The active treatment group experienced reductions in sagging of both the face and the cheekbones contours, improved lip volume, and decreased wrinkle depth and volume, while the placebo group saw no such improvements.

3. Treats Sores, Sunburns and Wounds

Aside from lowering the appearance of wrinkles and dryness, HA is beneficial for treating cold sores and mouth sores, ulcers, wounds, bites and burns due to how it keeps damaged tissue moist. It also provides sunburn relief. Many cold sore treatments for the lips and mouth contain hyaluronic acid gel to speed up the healing process and prevent cracking or bleeding.

HA is part of the structural component of the mouth and the lips, which are made up of connective tissues made partly from collagen and water. Collagen and HA help give lips their structure and shape. Because HA binds to water, it hydrates the skin and tissues within the mouth/lips and keeps skin junctions tight, helps bring nutrients to damaged tissues, controls inflammation and helps fluids carry out waste.

4. Lubricates Achy Joints

Hyaluronic acid is found in all bones, connecting tissue, joints, tendons and cartilage structures throughout the body — especially a type called hyaline cartilage, which covers the ends of bones and provides cushioning. Because it helps buffer bones and provides resistance to wear and tear, HA is useful for lowering pains and tenderness associated with degenerative joint diseases.

It’s also found in another important part of our joints called the synovial membrane, which forms a coating over two articulating bones and produces synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is a “viscous fluid” that helps joints absorb shock, remain elastic and carry nutrients to cartilage.

Hyaluronic acid is now a popular substance used in supplements for treating osteoarthritis pain and injuries. It’s also been approved by the FDA for treatment of osteoarthritis when administered in relatively high doses through injections given by a health care provider.  Some research shows that lower doses can also be effective for reducing joint stiffness and chronic pain, although results seem to vary. The types of joint pains most commonly treated with HA include those of the elbows and knees. 

5. Helps Reduce Dry Eyes and Eye Discomfort

The fluid inside the eye socket (called the vitreous humor) is composed almost completely of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid eye drops (such as the brand Hyalistil) can help relieve chronic dry eyes by replenishing moisture within the eye socket, helping with tear production and restoring fluid balance.  Some studies have also found that hyaluronic acid helps suppress oxidative damage caused by UVB light within the cornea. 

Doctors commonly use lubricating HA formulas to treat eye injuries and disorders, including cataracts, especially at the time before or after surgery when the eyes are most sensitive and dry. HA drops can be beneficial during eye surgery or recoveries, including after cataract removal, corneal transplant or repair of a detached retina.

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Hyaluronic Acid Facts, Plus How It Works

The biggest advantage that hyaluronic acid has to offer is that it has a very high capacity for retaining water, whether on the skin, in the eyes or within soft tissue. HA is considered a glycosaminoglycan, which gives it its capacity to hold a large volume of water along with its high viscosity. Throughout the body, HA is distributed in many different tissues, especially in the skin, where it provides moisture and structure. The skin accounts for about half of all the HA found in the entire body.

Other body parts where HA is concentrated include tendons and joints, the membranes of the eyes, the umbilical cord, synovial fluid, skeletal tissues, heart valves, lungs, aorta, and prostate. HA is basically a very long link of carbohydrate molecules bound together that hold water and therefore allow for fluid movement and pressure absorption.

Over the past two decades, emerging research has shown that beneficial functions of hyaluronic acid include hydration, lubrication of joints, a space-filling capacity within tissue and between cells, building the framework through which cells migrate, repairing tissue and wounds, regulating activation of inflammatory cells (inflammation), enhancing immune responses, repairing injury of fibroblasts, and maintaining skin’s epithelial cells. 

How Hyaluronic Acid Works:

The size of different HA molecules is critically important for hyaluronic acid’s various functions. Larger molecules are found in healthy tissue and help keep inflammation/free radical damage and dehydration under control (they’re “antiangiogenic and immunosuppressive”). On the other hand, smaller polymers of HA can send distress signals to the immune system and raise inflammation to help with injury or wound healing.

• HA has been referred to as “the key molecule involved in skin moisture.” In recent years, there’s been an explosion of new natural skin care products hitting the market that contain hyaluronic acid, promising to make skin smoother, plumper, more even-toned and generally more “refreshed” looking. HA is capable of holding up to 1,000 times its weight in water — however, because the size of its molecules are relatively big compared to other acids, it’s never been easy for skin care manufacturers to produce a hyaluronic acid product that actually penetrates and stays on the skin.
• Only in the past decade have scientists been able to create technology-advanced HA formulas that are capable of really seeping below the skin’s surface. Recent studies show that topical application of advanced (low molecular weight) HA serums can improve skin moisture and lead to significant reductions in wrinkle depth within just several weeks. HA is beneficial for reducing oxidative damage to the skin caused from both internal and external factors, especially ultraviolet irradiation (also referred to as photoaging).
• In addition to UV damage, researchers now believe that skin aging is also influenced by hormonal changes, including decreased production of sex hormones like estrogen. Decreased estrogen can result in collagen degradation, which leads to dryness, loss of elasticity and wrinkling of the skin (along with other aging problems, such as joint achiness and dry eyes).

Because HA is involved in slowing down collagen loss in addition to reducing fluid or water loss, it can also help improve joint lubrication, reduce pain, and treat various problems of the eyes and mouth.

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Hyaluronic Acid vs. Glucosamine

• Like hyaluronic acid, glucosamine helps provide elasticity and structure within joints and tissue that can be used to lower pain.
• The primary difference between the two is that HA provides more lubrication due to how it holds water, while glucosamine provides more structure and strength.
• HA is an integral component of synovial fluid and articular cartilage, where as glucosamine (especially when used with chondroitin sulfate) works by helping build cartilage. Basically, HA is more beneficial to the joint fluid and important for shock absorption, while glucosamine helps prevent cartilage/collagen loss.
• Many people experience the best results when they use these products together. It’s even been found that glucosamine increases hyaluronic acid production. 
• Some anti-aging formulas contain several joint-supporting substances in addition to HA and glucosamine, such as manganese sulfate. Used together, these can all be effective for lowering osteoarthritis pains, improving functions of the cartilage matrix and replenishing synovial fluids.

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Hyaluronic Acid History and Interesting Facts

As you could probably guess, some of the most interesting research to emerge in recent years regarding hyaluronic acid has to do with the way it affects aging skin and joints.

• Believe it or not, HA was first used commercially in 1942 as an egg white substitute in bakery products. 
• HA belongs to the extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules of the skin. When it comes to anti-aging products, we usually hear about the primary skin layers (epidermis, the dermis and the underlying subcutis) but not the matrix of ECM molecules that lies between cells of these layers.
• The ECM helps build the skin layers and has an important role in regulating cellular functions. These ECM molecules include glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, growth factors and structural proteins, such as collagen. The most abundant part of the ECM has been discovered to be hyaluronic acid.
• Other than being part of the ECM, HA has a variety of physicochemical properties in other parts of the body that are showing importance for anti-aging treatments.
• Researchers are now linking higher levels of HA to increased protection from reactive oxygen species (free radical damage), arthritis, chondrocytes that raise inflammation, certain types of cancer, lung injury, abnormal immune regulation, eye disorders and more.

How to Use Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid for your skin and eyes:

• Hyaluronic acid injections: These are administered by doctors only, so talk a dermatologist about recommendations if you’re interested in using HA on your lips, eyes or skin.
• Hyaluronic acid cream/serum/lotion: Different brands contain varying concentrations and types of HA molecules. The most effective types have more than one size of hyaluronic acid molecules, since various sizes work in different ways. Studies have found that daily topical application of serums containing around 0.1 percent HA can lead to significant improvement in skin hydration, wrinkle appearance and elasticity. 
• For treating dry eyes: HA can be administered in liquid eye drop form three to four times daily for three months. Look for a concentration of HA around 0.2 percent to 0.4 percent, but also make sure to always read directions.

Hyaluronic acid supplements for joint pain:

• According to the Arthritis Foundation, there are now several hyaluronic acid treatments approved for knee osteoarthritis in the U.S.: Hyalgan, Orthovisc, Supartz and Synvisc. These are often made from rooster or chicken combs and sometimes bacteria. 
• In adults over age 18: 50 milligrams of hyaluronic acid can be been taken by mouth one to two times daily with meals.
• For people with osteoarthritis, research shows that 80 milligrams (containing 60 percent to 70 percent hyaluronic acid) taken daily for eight weeks helps relieve symptoms best.
• You can also talk to your doctor about hyaluronic acid injections. Some perform direct injections of about 20 milligrams into the painful joint once a week for several weeks to control pain and inflammation.

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Possible Side Effects/Cautions of Hyaluronic Acid

The FDA reports that HA products are normally safe when taken by mouth or used topically on the skin/mouth. HA supplements and injections should be avoided by pregnant women or those who are breast-feeding, since it seems to be able to linger in breast milk and might be capable of negatively affecting a developing fetus or baby.

Prescription and commercial products containing hyaluronic acid are usually made from either bacteria created within a lab or prepared from bird protein and cartilage. People with allergies to eggs or feathers should not use these products since they can trigger reactions and even bleeding. If you have allergies, always read ingredients and dosage directions so you’re not unsure of the type of HA you’re getting.

People using medications that affect blood clotting, such as warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin, shouldn’t use HA supplements since this can increase risk of bleeding.

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Final Thoughts on Hyaluronic Acid

• Hyaluronic acid is a lubricating fluid that’s naturally found in the skin, eyes, joints, fluid and connective tissue.
• Because HA has a very high capacity for holding water, it’s used in supplement, lotion, eye drop or serum form to give structure and moisture to damaged tissue.
• Certain types of HA also have anti-inflammatory properties and help reverse collagen/cartilage loss.
• Benefits of using hyaluronic acid including firming aging skin, reducing achy joints, moisturizing wounds and rewetting dry eyes.

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