Chondroitin combines perfectly with Joint Support Formula (which contains chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine sulfate, boron, methyl-sulfonyl-methane, vitamin C and manganese sulfate) is an excellent alternative if chondroitin produces insufficient benefits. The vitamin C it contains promotes natural collagen formation and supports healthy cartilage (4) (like that found in normal joints).

The manganese, which helps maintain good bone function (5), and the MSM are also complementary substances which act in synergy with chondroitin.

Hyaluronic acid is obtained in two different ways:

• By extraction from rooster combs, after which it is crushed, chemically treated and purified.
• By bacterial fermentation: strands of hyaluronic acid are produced from innocuous bacteria.

Hyaluronic Acid 150 mg is made using the second of these methods. It is therefore 100% suitable for vegetarians and vegans and offers guaranteed, controlled optimal purity.

The human body is itself able to produce hyaluronic acid via a mechanism discovered around 20 years ago by Professor Paul Weigel and his team. Synthesis occurs at the inner side of plasma membranes and is a fast, effective and unique process.

Chondroitin has been available as a dietary supplement for over 30 years. In that time, there have been no reports of significant side-effects even with prolonged use (several months to two years).

It was long believed that when taken orally, hyaluronic acid had no real clinical benefit because of its particularly high molecular weight. In fact, the bioavailability of orally-administered hyaluronic acid is well-documented (3).

Animal studies, which were somewhat late in investigating this question, have shown that when administered orally, part of the hyaluronic acid molecules are perfectly capable of reaching the bloodstream and various body tissues. This discovery concurs with the recorded effects of hyaluronic acid supplementation in horses and other animals (4-6) as well as in humans (7-8).

It’s believed that these molecules cross the gut wall via micro-particles (9-10) and that part of them reaches peripheral tissues such as the skin and joints without any difficulty. The transport of hyaluronic acid in the body is, in any case, a completely normal physiological process (11-12).

It’s therefore entirely appropriate that hyaluronic acid should be available in dietary supplement form (13-15). Supplements represent an alternative to the HA injections given by health professionals and recommended by the European League against Rheumatism (EULAR).