What is hyaluronic acid?

Over the past few years, hyaluronic acid has received significant attention from both the medical press and the cosmetics sector. It’s a polysaccharide macromolecule from the glycosaminoglycan family which is abundant in the skin and synovial fluid (the viscous fluid surrounding our joints). Under normal conditions, the human body contains around 12g.

It’s produced by cells called chondrocytes and synoviocytes to increase the viscosity of synovial fluid, which improves lubrication of the joints. It also helps maintain good hydration in the skin by capturing water and retaining it in the skin’s deeper layers (1). In some cases, it also reduces the concentration of inflammatory mediators and activity of immune cells.

The viscosity of the gel depends on the chain length of the hyaluronic acid. The higher its molecular weight, the greater the molecule’s capacity for absorbing water. Therefore, with a molecular weight of 1.2 million Daltons, Hyaluronic Acid 150 mg is one of the best sodium hyaluronate supplements available.

How is hyaluronic acid produced?

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.

What are hyaluronic acid’s properties?

Hyaluronic acid is present in the form of sodium hyaluronate (also called hyaluronan) in the synovial fluid surrounding joints. It usually has a molecular weight of more than 1 million Daltons and under normal conditions, is highly concentrated. As a result of its specific structure and considerable size, it can retain enormous amounts of water (up to 1000 times its own weight), and all the nutrients and hydrophilic substances that go with it. It is solely responsible for the viscosity and elasticity of synovial fluid.

In certain disease states, both the concentration and molecular weight of sodium hyaluronate decrease, contributing to an increase in inflammatory processes and adverse effects on cartilage (2).

Is high molecular weight hyaluronic acid well-absorbed?

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).

Why is it better to take high molecular weight hyaluronic acid?

Studies show that low molecular weight hyaluronic acid molecules have a completely different function in the body: they can activate cascades of molecular events which trigger the release of inflammatory cytokines. Following trauma, enzymes break the hyaluronic acid up into multiple molecules of lower molecular weight which have a pro-inflammatory effect.

These effects are not seen with large hyaluronic acid molecules, which supports the belief that they are not broken down by digestive enzymes before crossing the intestinal barrier.

What other measures can be combined with taking Hyaluronic Acid 150mg?

Alongside supplementation with hyaluronic acid, the following steps are highly recommended:

• gradually increase the time you spend exercising every day;
• avoid making too many repetitive movements or putting too much strain on painful joints;
• consider physiotherapy or phytotherapy for reducing pain. For example, the boswellic acid in the natural supplement Super Boswellia helps to reduce joint pain and inflammation

Should hyaluronic acid capsules be taken every day?

The life of a hyaluronic acid molecule is relatively short, ranging from 12 hours to a few days. It’s thought that a third of the body’s total hyaluronic acid composition is renewed each day under normal circumstances. A daily dose of two 150mg capsules is therefore recommended.

This dose is not associated with any adverse side-effects, whether taken for short periods (two weeks) or indeed for up to 12 months.

Dr. Nahon’s view

The huge advantage of this method is that it offers an alternative to painful and sometimes dreaded injections. Oral administration of hyaluronic acid is simple and safe and produces the same results as those demonstrated in recent scientific studies.

It’s worth noting that there is no difference between men and women in terms of the treatment’s activity.

Notes

This product should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. It’s important to follow the directions for use, the recommended daily dose and the ‘use-by’ date. It is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or for children under 15. Keep out of reach of young children. Store in a cool, dry place

References

1. Davies DV, Palfrey AJ. Visco-elastic properties of some pathological human synovial fluids. Ann Rheum Dis 1969;28(2):194.
2. Wright V, Dowson D. Lubrication and cartilage. J Anat 1976;121(Pt 1): 107e18.
3. Mankin HJ, Dorfman H, Lippiello L, Zarins A. Biochemical and metabolic abnormalities in articular cartilage from osteo-arthritic human hips. II. Correlation of morphology with biochemical and metabolic data. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1971;53(3):523e37.
4. Pierce, S. W. Efficacy of orally administered sodium hyaluronate gel in the racing thoroughbred. In Hyaluronan 2003 Proceedings. Chapter 6 Musculoskelatal System: Balazs, E. A., Hascall, V. C., Eds.; Matrix Biology Institute: Cleveland, OH, 2004; pp 1-4
5. Bergin, B. J.; Pierce, S. W.; Bramlage, L. R.; Stromberg, A. Oral hyaluronan gel reduces post operative tarsocrural effusion in the yearling Thoroughbred. Equine Vet. J. 2006, 38, 375–378.
6. Martinez-Puig, D.; Carmona, J. U.; Arguelles, D.; Deulofeu, R.; Ubia, A.; Prades, M. Oral hyaluronic acid administration improves osteochondrosis clinical symptoms and slightly increses intraarticular concentration of hyaluronic acid in a horse model: a pilot survey. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2007, 15, C62-C63(abstract 96).
7. Kalman, D. S.; Heimer, M.; Valdeon, A.; Schwartz, H.; Sheldon, E. Effect of a natural extract of chickencombs with a high content of hyaluronic acid (Hyal-Joint) on pain relief and quality of life in subjects with knee osteoarthritis: a pilot randomized doubleblind placebo-controlled trial. Nutr. J. 2008, 7 (3), 1–9.
8. Bucci, L. R.; Sheldon, E.; Schwartz, H.; Pachon, J.; Kalman, D.; Mederos, M.; Pezzullo, J. C.; Beer, C. Comparison between glucosamine with chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine with chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronate for symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2005, 13, S99.
9. Florence, A. T.; Jani, P. U. Oral uptake of microparticles across the gastrointestinal mucosa. In Drug Targeting and DeliVery: Concepts in Dosage Form Design; Junginger, H. E., Ed.; Ellis Horwood: New York, NY, 1992; pp 113-128
10. Thanos, C. G.; Yip, K. P.; Mathiowitz, E. Intestinal uptake of polymer microspheres in the rabbit studied with confocal microscopy. J. Bioact. Compat. Polym. 2004, 19, 247–266
11. Liu, N. Metabolism of macromolecules in tissue. Lymphat. Res. Biol. 2003, 1 (1), 67–70
12. Liu, N. Trafficking of hyaluronan in the interstitium and its possible implications. Lymphology 2004, 37 (1), 6–14.
13. Balogh L, Polyak A et al. Absorption, Uptake and Tissue Affinity of High-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronan after Oral Administration in Rats and Dogs. J. Agric. Food Chem., Vol. 56, No. 22, 2008
14. Ricci M, Micheloni GM et al. Clinical comparison of oral administration and viscosupplementation of hyaluronic acid (HA) in early knee osteoarthritis. Musculoskelet Surg. 2017 Apr;101(1):45-49. doi: 10.1007/s12306-016-0428-x. Epub 2016 Sep 28.
15. Panuccio E, Memeo A, Richetta S. [Evaluation of the combined treatment of oral viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid intra-articular injection on symptomatic knee osteoarthritis]. Clin Ter. 2015;166(5):e321-6. doi: 10.7417/T.2015.1886.

adults. Take 2 capsules a day.
Each vegetarian capsule contains 150 mg of high molecular weight sodium hyaluronate.

Powerful and natural active principle

Our dietary supplement Natural Pain Relief is the result of many years’ research into pal

Powerful and natural active principle

Our dietary supplement P.E.A. is the result of many years’ research into palmitoylethanolamide. More commonly-known as PEA, this compound’s considerable therapeutic potential has made it the subject of numerous scientific studies. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of this fatty acid amide have been known for decades but it was in 1990 that its therapeutic benefits were properly recognised by the scientific community as a result of the work of Italian Nobel Laureate Rita Levi-Montalcini. This famous neurologist demonstrated PEA’s efficacy in treating some types of neuropathic pain. Further research then led to the development of PEA-based nutritional supplements. These products have been available since 2010 in the form of powder or capsules and have made quite an impact in the Netherlands where they are offered as a new kind of P.E.A..

P.E.A., a natural analgesic

Our new product, P.E.A., offers all the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). The effects of this compound are significant given that pain can be common and varied. It can take the form of acute pain which is temporary in nature, or chronic pain that persists over a long period of time. Scientists also categorise pain by its origin: inflammatory pain which involves the immune system, neuropathic pain which is associated with the nervous system, and a mixture of the two – both inflammatory and neuropathic. A number of treatments have been developed to relieve such pain and it is within this context that PEA has been identified as natural solution to pain that is inflammatory, neuropathic or a mixture of the two. PEA has the advantage of being a natural molecule, found, for example, in eggs and milk.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of PEA

It is PEA’s particular mechanism of action which is responsible for its exceptional properties. According to some scientists, this fatty acid amide works by binding to a specific cell receptor called PPAR-alpha. This receptor activates peroxisomes - cell organelles involved in the regulation of pain and inflammation genes. By binding to the PPAR-alpha receptor, PEA reduces peripheral sensitivity induced by both neural and non-neural cells. In other words, PEA’s action reduces the sensation of pain in a number of situations. In this context, encouraging results have already been obtained in the management of diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, sciatica, pelvic pain and multiple sclerosis.

P.E.A., an optimal PEA formulation

P.E.A. has been developed from a high quality, patented PEA formulation called OptiPEA©. This pain relief supplement is in capsule form with a suggested dose of three capsules a day, although this dosage can be adapted to your needs and the advice of your therapist. It should be noted that taking this supplement may not produce instant pain relief. Several days’ supplementation may be necessary to obtain the desired results. You may also be interested in our other formulations aimed at relieving joint pain: OptiMSM® and Joint Support Formula.mitoylethanolamide. More commonly-known as PEA, this compound’s considerable therapeutic potential has made it the subject of numerous scientific studies. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of this fatty acid amide have been known for decades but it was in 1990 that its therapeutic benefits were properly recognised by the scientific community as a result of the work of Italian Nobel Laureate Rita Levi-Montalcini. This famous neurologist demonstrated PEA’s efficacy in treating some types of neuropathic pain. Further research then led to the development of PEA-based nutritional supplements. These products have been available since 2010 in the form of powder or capsules and have made quite an impact in the Netherlands where they are offered as a new kind of natural pain relief.

Natural Pain Relief, a natural analgesic

Our new product, Natural Pain Relief, offers all the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). The effects of this compound are significant given that pain can be common and varied. It can take the form of acute pain which is temporary in nature, or chronic pain that persists over a long period of time. Scientists also categorise pain by its origin: inflammatory pain which involves the immune system, neuropathic pain which is associated with the nervous system, and a mixture of the two – both inflammatory and neuropathic. A number of treatments have been developed to relieve such pain and it is within this context that PEA has been identified as natural solution to pain that is inflammatory, neuropathic or a mixture of the two. PEA has the advantage of being a natural molecule, found, for example, in eggs and milk.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of PEA

It is PEA’s particular mechanism of action which is responsible for its exceptional properties. According to some scientists, this fatty acid amide works by binding to a specific cell receptor called PPAR-alpha. This receptor activates peroxisomes - cell organelles involved in the regulation of pain and inflammation genes. By binding to the PPAR-alpha receptor, PEA reduces peripheral sensitivity induced by both neural and non-neural cells. In other words, PEA’s action reduces the sensation of pain in a number of situations. In this context, encouraging results have already been obtained in the management of diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, sciatica, pelvic pain and multiple sclerosis.

Natural Pain Relief, an optimal PEA formulation

Natural Pain Relief has been developed from a high quality, patented PEA formulation called OptiPEA©. This pain relief supplement is in capsule form with a suggested dose of three capsules a day, although this dosage can be adapted to your needs and the advice of your therapist. It should be noted that taking this supplement may not produce instant pain relief. Several days’ supplementation may be necessary to obtain the desired results. You may also be interested in our other formulations aimed at relieving joint pain: OptiMSM® and Joint Support Formula.

adults. Take 3 capsules a day.
Each capsule contains 400 mg of OptiPEA©.