Hyaluronic acid (HA) is well known for its hydrating and anti-aging properties but its benefits extend far beyond cosmetics. HA also plays a crucial natural role in joint health and, in the right form, is the key ingredient in joint supplements.
What makes it such a special molecule? Well here are 10 facts:
- Natural Lubricant: Hyaluronic acid is produced mainly in connective tissues and particularly in the synovial fluid in joints; it’s super slippery and slimy ensuring smooth movement of joints and low friction between joint surface.
- Cushioning Effect: the chainlike hyaluronic acid molecules coalesce into sheets like little sponge mats which provide a cushioning effect in the joint space, helping to absorb shock and impact during movement. This is particularly beneficial for active animals, such as working dogs and horses, as it helps protect their joints from wear and tear.
- Viscoelastic Properties: meaning it changes how viscous it is depending on the pressure or rate of movement it’s exposed to. This allows it to maintain joint function under varying conditions, ensuring optimal performance during activities.
- Simple structure: each molecule is a chain of millions of the same special sugar molecules. Each sugar molecule attracts a bubble of water which makes HA look like a long, stretchy rope with lots of water balloons attached to it. HA can hold onto 1000 times its own weight in water.
- Variable chain lengths The length of the HA chain determines how effective it is at its job, imagine stirring a bowl of spaghetti with really short strands of pasta versus one with full lengths – the full lengths are harder to stir and more viscous due to their entanglement – long lengths of hyaluronic acid are more viscous and better at absorbing shock and providing lubrication.
- Anti-inflammatory Effects: Hyaluronic acid exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce inflammation within joints associated with conditions such as arthritis or injury. By alleviating inflammation, it can alleviate pain and improve mobility in affected animals.
- HA only lasts a few days in skin and 1 or 2 days in the blood and several weeks in cartilage, The balance between production and breakdown is key to maintaining the right levels in the various tissues. Humans have approximately 15g of HA in their body and a third of that is replaced every day. Arthritic joints produce less hyaluronic acid and the breakdown of existing HA is accelerated. This decrease in the concentration of HA leads to less lubrication in the joint and a vicious cycle of wear and tear establishing.
- Oral and Injectable Forms: Veterinary joint supplements containing hyaluronic acid are available in various forms, including oral supplements and injectable solutions. Oral supplements are convenient for daily administration, while injectable solutions offer rapid absorption and targeted delivery for more immediate relief.
- Safe and Well-Tolerated: Hyaluronic acid is safe for use in animals and is well-tolerated with minimal side effects. This makes it a suitable option for long-term supplementation to support ongoing joint health and mobility in aging or active animals.
- Hyaluronic acid can be recovered from chicken combs and mashed up cartilage foradding to joint supplements but this HA is only present in very short chains. Preferably, HA can also be synthesised by bacteria in a laboratory process which leads to super-long, clean, consistent and pure molecules, these chains are much closer to natural HA. The way to spot this is to ask if the HA is suitable for vegans, if it is, it’s the long stuff.
Hyaluronic acid is the vital component of veterinary joint supplements and could offer range of benefits for animals suffering from joint issues or simply in need of additional support for mobility. Hyaluronic acid stands out as a natural and effective solution for maintaining joint health and promoting an active lifestyle at any age. Read about our mega-chain hyaluronic acid for dogs here