Hyaluronic Acid  
WHAT IS HYALURONIC ACID?

Hyaluronic Acid is a polysaccharide composed of alternating molecules
of N-acetyl glucosamine and D-glucuronic acid. It can be found within
collagen throughout the body.

As the most important space filling substance in the human body
Hyaluronic Acid holds water to keep collagen hydrated and youthful.
Our bodies are in a continual state of rebuilding. New skin cells for
example replace old ones about every 20 to 30 days. Normally,
Hyaluronic Acid in skin tissue is broken down by hyaluronidase. And,
the rate of Hyaluronic Acid degradation can be increased by excess
intake of riboflavin (B-2), ultraviolet radiation exposure or viruses. Any
long-term overexposure to any of these may result in premature
connective tissue destruction.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HYALURONIC ACID?

Hyaluronan preparations have shown to decrease pain and improve
mobility of patients suffered from knee osteoarthritis.

Turkish researchers injected high molecular weight hyaluronic acid
(Hylan G-F 20) and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (Orthovisc) to
92 patients suffered from knee osteoarthritis separately at one-week
intervals for three weeks.  Both hyaluronic acid preparations resulted in
a pronounced reduction in pain and improved function, without
complications.

Injectable Restylane (hyaluronic acid) gel was approved on March 25,
2005. It is a transparent hyaluronic acid gel that is injected into facial
tissue to smooth wrinkles and folds, especially around the nose and
mouth (nasolabial folds).

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF HYALURONIC ACID?

Side effects of hyaluronic acid gel include bruising, redness, swelling,
pain, tenderness and itching.

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"Victoria crater" Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell  SPACE