Hyaluronic Acid and Longevity

 Summary

1. Hyaluronic acid is an important component of our skin's structure.
2. Hyaluronic acid levels in the skin decrease as we age, with older people having up to 75% less than younger people.
3. Hyaluronic acid taken orally increases the amount of hyaluronic acid in the skin.
4. Oral hyaluronic acid decreases wrinkles, increases skin suppleness, moisturizes the skin, and improves skin shine.
5. Because hyaluronic acid is a component of cartilage, taking it orally can lead to healthier joints.
6. Acetyl-glucosamine, found in hyaluronic acid, is a chemical that helps organisms live longer lives.
7. Acetyl-glucosamine has the ability to inhibit protein accumulation. Protein buildup is one of the primary causes of aging.
8. Low molecular weight hyaluronic acid is preferable because it can be broken down more In the gut, there are separate acetyl-glucosamine units.

Hyaluronic Acid's Role in Aging and Longevity

Hyaluronic acid is a key component of our skin's structure. It is a very lengthy molecule that can link to other skin components such as GAGs (glycosaminoglycans), collagen, and elastin.

All of these complicated chemicals contribute to the extracellular matrix, which serves as the glue that holds our cells together. That intercellular glue contains a significant amount of hyaluronic acid.

Our skin contains around half of all hyaluronic acid in our bodies.

Hyaluronic acid levels in the skin decrease as we age (R). A 70-year-old has 75% less hyaluronic acid than a 19-year-old.

Oral hyaluronic acid is frequently used to decrease wrinkles.

Because hyaluronic acid is a crucial component of joint cartilage, taking it orally helps promote healthy joint function.

Hyaluronic acid used orally minimizes wrinkles.

Hyaluronic acid is a useful supplement for skin health.

Hyaluronic acid taken orally might enhance the amount of hyaluronic acid in the skin (R,R,R).

Hyaluronic acid supplementation improves skin look and reduces wrinkles.

Sixty participants were administered hyaluronic acid for three months in one research. When compared to the placebo group, they had significantly less wrinkles after 8 weeks.

Skin suppleness and brightness have also improved dramatically (R).

Skin cleft ratio, wrinkle area, and wrinkle volume were all reduced in patients who used two forms of hyaluronic acid (HA 300 k and HA 2 k). Source: A 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled research on the effects of oral hyaluronan on wrinkles. Dermatol Clin Cosmet Investig.

Hyaluronic acid taken orally can also hydrate dry skin, improving skin appearance and making you look younger (R). 

Hyaluronan ingested hydrates dry skin. Journal of Nutrition

As we age, our hyaluronic acid levels decrease, contributing to thinner, less elastic, and less smooth skin.

Other factors, other from aging, might deplete your skin of hyaluronic acid.

Sun exposure is one example. UV light causes skin damage and drastically lowers hyaluronic acid synthesis. According to some dermatologists, the sun is responsible for up to 80% of skin aging (R). When going outside in the sun, it is critical to constantly use a powerful sunscreen and, preferably, to wear a helmet.

Topical (Skin Cream) vs. Oral  HA (Hyaluronic Acid)

To promote skin health, hyaluronic acid is commonly found in skin creams.

Unfortunately, the majority of hyaluronic acid applied to the skin does not penetrate (R).

Because this molecule can attract and trap a lot of water, hyaluronic acid in skin creams primarily enhances moisturisation of the very superficial layers of the skin.

However, some scientists have succeeded in developing new types of hyaluronic acid that can enter the skin (R). The researchers significantly lowered the size of hyaluronic acid so that it could cross the epidermal barrier.

In addition, hyaluronic acid is injected into the skin to promote skin firmness and regeneration.

Hyaluronic acid and the aging process

However, hyaluronic acid is interesting for longevity for reasons other than wrinkle reduction.

Hyaluronic acid, in instance, is composed of specialized compounds such as acetyl-glucosamine.

Acetyl-glucosamine is an intriguing chemical since it can increase lifespan in a variety of laboratory species (R). Acetyl-glucosamine should not be confused with glucosamine, which has its own longevity properties.

Acetyl-glucosamine is thought to increase lifespan by activating the unfolded-protein response (UPR). When our cells detect an excess of proteins, they generally initiate this response. Protein accumulation is one of the causes of aging. Acetyl-glucosamine, by activating this repair reaction, can thereby limit protein buildup.

When hyaluronic acid is ingested, it is broken down into individual acetyl-glucose molecules, which are absorbed by the gut and reach the bloodstream.

So, by incorporating hyaluronic acid into our longevity supplement, we can kill two birds with one stone: hyaluronic acid lowers aging-related wrinkles, and its constituents can influence cellular aging.