Identification

• Essentially, hyaluronic acid is a dietary supplement said to reduce the accumulation of fluid and decrease inflammation in the joints and connective tissues of the body. It is also believed to promote healthy skin through hydration. Typically, it is found in tablet form and taken in a 40 or 50 milligram dosage twice a day, but can be given hypodermically to the affect area. The tablets are not a prescription medication, so bottles of hyaluronic acid can pretty much be found anywhere that sells vitamins and supplements, this would include pharmacies, big box stores and supplement dealers like GNC and Vitamin World.
  
  

Significance

• Due to the supposed advantages of hyaluronic acid, people suffering from arthritis and osteoarthritis may find relief from symptoms that often accompany their condition when they begin taking this supplement. Interestingly, it is also finding some use in the beauty industry. As mentioned before, hyaluronic acid is believed to promote healthy skin. This idea has now translated into a supplement used to counteract aging. While it may be of some benefit to your skin, there are no substantiated clinical studies to back the claims that it actually works as an "anti-aging" formula.
  
  

Effects

• Depending on who you speak to, the benefits can run the gamut. However, the most effective use is really on the joints. People have experienced great results from hyaluronic acid, more so as injections than as supplements. In fact, one study showed that 80 percent of those people treated with hyaluronic acid injections found significant relief in pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
  
  

Considerations

• There are no serious side effects of hyaluronic acid in oral or hypodermic form. Though a fairly small amount of those people taking hyaluronic acid orally experienced a rash or skin irritation, most have reported no issues. Of those people using hyaluronic acid hypodermically, a rather small percentage experienced a skin irritation in the area of injection.
  
  

Warning

• Currently, the only form of hyaluronic acid approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an alternative treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis is hypodermic. The supplement has not gone through the appropriate trials or studies to have a determination made by the FDA. And since hyaluronic acid is considered a dietary supplement, it probably never will.