Medicinal properties in whole foods

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, April, 2004 by Gina L. Nick

* A daily oral dose of approximately 40 mg hyaluronan in capsules was administered to 100 women for 45 days in a study from Ohtsuma University in Tokyo. Skin texture was "remarkably" improved in 75%-81% of patients; eyesight was "remarkably" improved in 25; joint stiffness in 48. The entire remainder of the study group was "better" in all result categories. (11)

* A similar study conducted on 28 patients taking 30 mg oral hyaluronan for 30 days found 93% improved their joint pain symptoms.

* 27 patients taking 10 mg oral hyaluronan plus 100 mg chondroitin sulfate for 3 months were "greatly improved" (33%) or "improved" (58%) after knee surgery compared with a similar control untreated group. (11)

* 50% of 24 hockey players taken 10 mg oral hyaluronan plus 100 mg chondroitin sulfate reported improvement in joint mobility and 77% in pre-existing joint problems after 3 months of treatment. (5)

* In another study from the Czech Republic, 20 mg sodium hyaluronate plus 400 mg chondroitin sulfate in an oral solution was given for 90 days to 2 groups of patients, one following knee surgery, the other with non-surgical arthropathies. Approximately 70% of patients reported subjective improvement.

Likewise, the initial results of research conducted by Dr. Dot Richardson, MD (13) and Olympic Gold Medalist, of the USA Triathlon National Training Center, (14) on the use of an oral hyaluronan supplement in humans, Conquer HA (1-800-380-8949), are impressive--ranging from complete reversal of pain due to degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine (neck) in a patient taking 20 mg of Conquer HA per day, to a patient who has had a complete recovery from pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis of the knee, after taking this oral form of hyaluronan for two weeks.

Doses

Oral doses of 10 mg-80 mg a day have been used with no adverse effects in the various human studies listed above. Laboratory animal studies have shown that doses up to 50mg/kg/day produce no teratogenicity, fetal damage or harmful effects to subjects.

Final Thoughts

Hyaluronan is ubiquitous in most organisms, serving numerous vital functions. Properly manufactured oral nutritional supplements, such as Conquer HA, are absorbed into the circulation and find their way into synovial fluid and numerous other tissues. They can safely and effectively benefit any tissue that is in need of hydration (notably aging skin), lubrication (as in arthritic, painful joints), or greater bulk (as a shock absorber for joints). In addition, their antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects hold the promise of improved general health and amelioration of such common conditions as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, known to progress under the influence of pathologic tissue oxidative processes.

Where hyaluronan has been subjected to critical, controlled studies, it has performed beneficially with a remarkable safety profile. Its decades of experience validate its lack of toxicity. The nutraceutical status of hyaluronan has allowed a plethora of studies with an unquestionable safety profile.