How Effective are Oral Hyaluronic Acid Supplements?
There is a paradox of sorts when dealing with injections versus
oral supplements. Many people would much rather take an oral
supplement than have an injection administered. However, the
efficacy of injections has been proven to a greater extent than
oral supplements.
Part of the reason hyaluronic acid is so effective is that it
has a very large molecular weight, which reflects its ability to
hold water, and thus its great moisturizing power. When HA is
injected, the absorption of the heavy HA molecules is easily
taken care of - which is not necessarily the case when oral HA
supplements are taken.
Many scientists agree that the stomach has a hard time absorbing
the heavy HA molecules. One source from the University of
Connecticut Medical School explained, "Hyaluronic acid itself is
not absorbed when taken orally and therefore its use at this
point is limited to an injectable form."
Meanwhile, several commercial sites that boast chemically
enhanced HA molecules for oral supplementation, which have a
lower molecular weight, and thus will have an easier time being
absorbed.
The paradox is that these oral supplements may be safer than
injections, and the HA will have an easier time being absorbed -
but - if you lose the molecular weight, you lose much of the
efficacy so unique to HA. After reviewing the potential side
effect of injections with a doctor, many people may come to the
conclusion that injections offer the greatest potential
solution.