Hyaluronic acid is one of the latest substances that has been identified for its health benefits. Previously not so well-known for its potential value towards our health, hyaluronic acid is actually a substance that exists naturally in our body. The chemistry of hyaluronic acid is comprised of linear, unbranching, polyanionic disaccharide units that is made up of glucuronic acid and N-acetyl glucosamine bonded by beta 1-3 and beta 1-4 glycosidic. In human body, hyaluronic acid acts as a cushion and a space filler between bones and joints allowing movement flexibilities with its lubricating property. Hyaluronic can also be found in the heart valve. It has the ability to restore the needed lubrication and regenerating tissue for a healthier body.

 Hyaluronic acid is mostly concentrated in human cartilage, joints, skins and the eyes. In the joints, such as the knees and angles, this substance, being part of the synovial fluid, carries nutrients to these cartilage, allow the flow of nutrients as well as wastes through the extra-cellular matrix that is made up of mainly collagen fibers and other substances. Hyaluronic acid also works as a lubrication throughout the human cartilage resulting in smooth and painless body movements. Hyaluronic acid is widely used to relief arthritis pain, fibromyalgia, joint pain and so on. In the human skins, hyaluronic acid is present in the epidermis and dermis layer of the skin. Here, this substance retain the moisture keeping the skin firm, smooth as well as supporting the collagen and elastin fibers that makes the skin looks firm and youthful. Today, hyaluronic acid has become a vital ingredient of many skin anti-aging products in the market. It is the latest kid on the block in todays skin anti-aging product. In the human eyes on the other hand, hyaluronic acid is concentrated mostly in the jelly-like substance of the eye-ball known as the vitreous gel. This vitreous gel is composed of 99 percent water and 1 percent collagen filaments and hyaluronic acid. The hyaluronic acid molecules work as large coils that hold water in a form of water entrapped in a matrix of collagen fibers. This gel maintain the structure and shape of the eye as well as acting as a shock absorber that protect the eyeball against external forces from damaging this delicate organ, such as when one is dealt with a blow to the eye. In addition, it can also help slow the degeneration of this vitreous body.

There are also many over-the-counter hyaluronic acid products in the market today. Most can be found in pharmacies and supermarkets as supplements in the form of capsules. It is widely believed that if we obtain this substance through food sources, and as the molecule of hyaluronic acid is a heavy one, there is doubt that our intestine could absorb this nutrient effectively. Therefore, most over-the counter hyaluronic acid products has the molecule of this substance stripped off into smaller molecules that can be easily absorbed by our body. However, there is yet another doubt that if this smaller ones could be as effective in retaining water molecule compared to the original one. If it doesn't, it will be defeating its own purpose in the very first place. Nevertheless, this fact remains a mystery until a further and proper research is conducted to resolve it.

 

 

    

As hyaluronic acid is a rather new substance that has not been greatly studied to date, it is however, believed that hyaluronic acid can be found in certain types of starchy root vegetables found particularly in Japan. A recent report by ABC News has found that villagers of Yuzurihara, a small village in Japan, are living longer, looking younger with radiant, wrinkle-less and spotless skin even in to their 80s and 90s. They are also found to be more flexible and active. The discovery has found that their diet includes Satsumaimo - a kind of sweet potato, Satoima - a kind of sticky potato, and Konyaku - a type of gletanious root, which is widely believed to help the body's natural production of this hyaluronic acid substance. As we age, our body will gradually lose the ability to produce hyaluronic acid and thus, it is vital that we source for hyaluronic acid from foods and supplements to compensate for the lost. 

Other hyaluronic acid sources include fish eyes and animal parts that contain bones, cartilage and joints such as chicken feet, rooster comb as well as broth prepared from joints, tendons and sinews of animals.