What is hyaluronic acid?

What is hyaluronic acid? What functions does it perform in the body?

Where can we find hyaluronic acid?

What is hyaluronic acid? What functions does it perform in the body?

Hyaluronic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in the human body, especially in the skin, joints and eyes. It is a glycosaminoglycan, a type of polysaccharide molecule that is a component of the extracellular matrix, i.e. the substance that surrounds cells.

When it comes to our skin, the supply of hyaluronic acid makes it retain its moisture, elasticity and firmness. It also contributes to maintaining a healthy and youthful appearance of the skin. In the joints, on the other hand, hyaluronic acid acts as a lubricant. It helps to cushion movements and reduce friction between bones. What is hyaluronic acid? Hyaluronic acid also plays the role of maintaining the shape of the eyeball and prevents the displacement of the retina.

Hyaluronic acid is also used in aesthetic medicine and cosmetics to fill wrinkles, improve facial contours and moisturize the skin. We also use it to treat joint diseases such as osteoarthritis.

Where can we find hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid does not occur naturally in food. These compounds are produced by the body, and some foods, such as meat, fish, legumes, and vegetables, may contain ingredients that help the body synthesize hyaluronic acid.

On the other hand, there are dietary supplements that contain hyaluronic acid obtained from chicken fungi or bacteria, however, due to the lack of sufficient research, it is impossible to say whether supplementation with hyaluronic acid has a positive effect on skin and joint health.