Hyaluronic Acid - The Natural Face Lift?


If So What Is It and What Does It Do?

In Yuzuri Hara, a village in Japan, ten percent of the population is 85 or older. Diseases of aging, such as cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer's, are virtually unknown. People rarely see a doctor and their skin rarely shows signs of aging. They live long, healthy active lives.

As reported on the ABC News program 20/20, researchers have discovered the 'magical' ingredient that appears to keep people in Yuzuri Hara young. It is hyaluronic acid, which is found naturally in the carbohydrate foods that are unique to the hilly terrain of this village.

The Times Newspaper (UK) reported 'New LIFE in OLD BONES: Researchers are looking for the genes involved with osteo-arthritis, which may lead to more effective, targeted therapies. Some studies have also shown positive results from injections into arthritic joints of hyaluronic acid, a component of the bodies own lubricant fluid, which seems to delay the need for a joint replacement.'

What Is It?

    • Hyaluronic Acid; or HA is a natural substance that is plentiful in our bodies when we are born.

    • It is found in all human connective tissue.

What Does It Do?

    • HA occurs naturally in the deeper layers of our skin (the dermis). It helps to keep skin smooth and "plump" through its ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water.

    • It lubricates the joints.

    • HA plays a critical role in the rapid repair of wounds and other skin conditions.

    • Improves eye-sight

1. Moisture Retention

The ability to retain and hold moisture is the secret to youthful, healthy, vibrant skin.

Aging robs us of this innate ability to hold in moisture. As we get older our bodies produce less and less HA. The drop in HA starts at around the age of 18-20 years. But after the age of 40 the down slide becomes apparent. Skin starts to lose its elasticity and lines and wrinkles appear.

HA also supports the formation and maintenance of collagen, an important connective tissue. Collagen degradation is believed to cause a decrease in skin tone and elasticity.

Healthy, youthful skin comes from the inside. By replacing the components that naturally deplete with age, we can reverse the signs associated with aging.

HA supplementation puts back in what is naturally lost to restore radiance and youth.

2. Joint Lubrication

HA occurs throughout the body in abundant amounts in many of the places people with hereditary connective tissue disorders have problems such as joints, heart valves and eyes. Hyaluronic acid abnormalities are a common thread in connective tissue disorders e.g osteoarthritis

3. Wound repair

Another important part of good skin is the ability to quickly heal wounds. This ability is slowly degraded with age. In part, it is due to the slowing down of cell mitosis, crucial aspect of cellular repair and regeneration. A possible contributing factor is also the decrease in the amount of HA available in the body.

4. Vision

HA makes up 80% of the human eye - it is present in the vitreous humor of the eye and assists in vision. HA is a shock absorber to the retina thus helping to prevent trauma to the eye.

Anti-aging products that use Hyaluronic Acid

There are two types of HA anti-aging products:

• Those that are applied externally in cream form

• Those that are taken as a health supplement and work internally, providing moisture to the inner layers of the epidermis. By reaching the corium layers of the epidermis, you penetrate, like no topical application is able to. This provides essential HA components to the cell level where it can work effectively, whilst still moisturizing the skin and reducing wrinkles


More Resources

Inflammatory Arthritis: Alternative Treatments
There are two main types of arthritis: inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis. Inflammatory arthritis can be treated naturally without drugs.
Back Pain and Pain in Other Extremities: If Nothing Else Has Worked, Try Doing Visualizations
(*In this group are included pain in the back, neck, shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, leg, knee, ankle, foot, and other extremities.)If you've had back pain or pain in an extremity for more than 90 days and haven't seen a doctor, you need to do so right away.
Benefits of Wheatgrass Juice - What, How, and Why!
Since the late 1960's, wheatgrass has become frequently discussed in health and medical circles as one of natures greatest gifts. Classified as one of the most abundant superfoods known to man, wheat (and more recently barley) grass has been celebrated for its nutritional content, cleansing and cell regeneration capabilities as well as being in a form that is easily and effortlessly assimilated and digested by our bodies.
Holistic Methods: Hemp Seed Oil and Aromatherapy in Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Aromatherapy is a well known holistic method for healing, but when boosted by the quickly penetrating carrier hemp seed oil, the healing potential is magnified exponentially. No other carrier oil can take the beneficial medicinal qualities of aromatic essential oils as quickly through the epidermis as hemp seed oil, so if your lotions and salves are missing it, you're not doing your body justice, but it's not too late?.
The Chevreul Pendulum - A Tool for Accessing Your Subconscious About Your Pain
The Chevreul pendulum is a simple device for communicating with the subconscious mind to learn what it thinks you can do to relieve your pain. Chances are good that you'll be able to use it, since about 90% of the people who try it are able to gain information from it about their pain.
About ADD ( Attention Deficit Disorder ), its Symptoms
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a condition that is usually characterized by behavioral and learning disorders. ADD generally diagnosed in children, mostly affects the boys than the girls.
Immunological Profile In Postpartum Women
Post-delivery, the whole of immune system is restored to normalcy during puerparium. One of the extensively studied immunological markers is the assessment of CA- 125.
How to Protect Your Family Against the Coming Pandemic
Most dictionaries define pandemic as "an epidemic that is geographically widespread; occurring throughout a region or even throughout the world."Recently, Klaus Stohr, the coordinator of the global infuenza program at the World Health Organization predicted a bird flu pandemic that would take more lives than the Spanish Flu of 1918 wherein 20-to-40 million perished.
Becoming A Certified Reflexologist
Reflexology is something I've used and loved since I was 8 years old. I began learning about Reflexology when my aunt bought me a book by Mildred Carter - whom I consider to be the mother of American Reflexology.
Health in the Self
What is health?Is health the absence of disease? Is health a birth right or simply luck? According to Ayuveda, India's ancient art of healing, the meaning of health is a single word: Swastha. Swa = self + Stha = established.
Detoxification and Your Health: The Bodies 7 Channels of Elimination!
If you want to be healthy you need to understand the seven systems that the body uses to eliminate waste and toxic matters.When these systems are working effectively the result is good health.
What Exactly is Alternative Therapy and How Does It Boost Your Health and Well-being?
My first yoga retreatI never wanted it to stop. It was a wonderful feeling of joy, love compassion and connection to everyone who was there with me.
Learn How to Do A Successful Gall Bladder Flush
To do a Gall Bladder Flush you will need the following ingredients:3 quarts of apple juice, fresh or from the dairy case, not w/preservatives1 cup olive oil, cold expeller pressed is best, virgin not light.1 cup of coke (optional but makes the oil taste less annoying)1 lemon, to be juiced at mixing timeUltra Phos dropsOxymag caps or PowderPROCEDURE:1.
Aloe Vera, an Alternative That Will Improve Your Looks and Your Outlook
Do you remember your teen years? Remember that schoolmate that had a less than perfect complexion and always seemed to be the object of cruel comments? Sure, you can relate to what I'm saying! Perhaps it was even you at the receiving end of those comments. Unfortunate as it may be, as a teenager, our outward appearance plays a vital role in issues of self-esteem.
Aromatherapy Candles
Nothing turns a commonplace, ho-hum room into a radiant, inviting setting faster than the flicker of a few ordinary candles scattered strategically throughout the room. Add scented candles and you can quickly evoke childhood memories, transport your imagination to a tropical island, or infuse the room with the crisp scent of a pine forest.
Title: Using Rhubarb for Constipation
Vegetables like fruits and their juices have healing properties because of the fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals they have. For constipation, vegetables are an excellent source of minerals and fiber.
How I Was Overtaken By Evil Eye Envy!
You are about to embark on a journey that only a percentage of the world's population has made. Throughout the journey, you will gain insight that will expand your horizons in the evil eye phenomenon.
Flax Seeds, Seeds, and Nuts For Constipation Relief
Here are a variety of home remedies for constipation using flax seeds with other seeds and nuts. They provide the fiber and oils that you need to relieve constipation.
Treatment Options for Hand and Foot Eczema
There are many kinds of eczema, and too few people who can tell you how to cure them. Scientists are trying get a better handle on the causes of such eczema as hand and foot eczema, but they may still have years to go before they find a tested and sound way to prevent the condition.
Not Now, I Have A Headache
Home Remedies - Facts or Quacks?That's what I recently asked myself. Myths and legends often have their basis in a grain of truth.

More Alternative Information:

Related Articles

Reflexology
Reflexology, an ancient art practiced by early Egyptians. Reflexology is a science founded on the basis that areas of the feet, hands and ears are comprised of zones and reflex areas that correspond to all glands, organs, and bodily systems.
A Constipation Home Remedy - Cayenne
Cayenne is a constipation home remedy that is effective in producing peristalsis in your colon and aids digestion. It can be used regularly at every meal and when needed for constipation.
Health Benefits of Hemp Oil
Hemp oil has long been recognised as one of the most versatile and beneficial substances known to man. Derived from hemp seeds (a member of the achene family of fruits) it has been regarded as a superfood due to its high essential fatty acid content and the unique ratio of omega3 to omega6 and gamma linolenic acid (GLA) - 2:5:1.
Headaches/Migraine
"Oh, how densely packed your head is, my sweet," sighs Grandmother Growth. "I'm afraid there's no room for new growth.
The Source of All Disease
So why is there disease? The very word means that the body is in a state of Diss-Ease. It is certainly not being provided with the optimal conditions that it requires to maintain itself healthily.
Is Shiatsu Massage the Ultimate Stress Relief Treatment?
My first shiatsu massageI opened my eyes suddenly. He was smiling at me.
Top 3 Yogis Secrets for Health and Happiness
For hundreds of years, the yogi's have been known to know the secrets for health, peace and happiness. In this short, but informative article, I will briefly describe 3 of these secrets with you.
Sleep And Massage Therapy
Hands-On Therapy for Peaceful SleepOne alternative medicine approach is a perfect option for relaxing your tension and allowing you to sink into deep, restful sleep: massage therapy.If you are comfortable with someone touching your body, a therapeutic massage is a wonderful sleep aid.
Improving Your Body Immune System
The immune system in your body is an amazing functionality that produces antibodies to fight against any infections whether it is bacterial, fungal, or cancers. Any micro organism that invades our body is kept under check and it is destroyed by the immune system in our body.
I Want To Be Able To Function and Not Be Stopped by My Pain
Why Your Subconscious May Be Able To Give You a Powerful Tool for Doing That--A Good Night's SleepBeing able to function starts with good sleep--without it you're a mess. Yet pain prevents you from using the reliable sleep advice that works for other people.
Home Saunas and Kits: Benefits, Pre-Planning, and Purchasing Tips
For quite some time now home saunas have gained massive popularity across the United States. A tradition first followed by the Finns about a thousand years back, the benefits of saunas have caught on in the United States with a lot of acclaim and acceptance.
Bath Time For Your Alzheimer's Patient
Caring for an Alzheimer's patient is one of the most difficult things you can do. It involves a lot of energy, time and patience.
The Health Care Crisis - and a Solution
We are presently facing a health care crisis that is getting more dire every day. Health care costs are increasing so rapidly that many companies who offered free health insurance to their employees are now passing a lot of the high cost on to their employees.
Fruits and Juices Important for Relieving Hemorrhoids Part I
Foods to AvoidChili PeppersIt has been found that when you eat a lot of chili peppersthat you can get a burning sensation in the rectum or anus.It is best to avoid eating too many peppers, especially if youhave an advance case of hemorrhoids.
An Introduction to Bach Flower Essences Part II - The Seven Helpers
The 12-7-19 Method of Bach Flower ClassificationDr. Edward Bach, developer of flower essence therapy, classified the original 38 essences he used in his practice according to the 12-7-19 method: the Twelve Healers, the Seven Helpers, and the Second Nineteen.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a pernicious little devil; it can hold us back, freeze our creativity and diminish our ability to fight our way out of trouble. Anxiety leads to a 'vicious cycle' in which anxiety feeds poor performance which increases anxiety and .
Application Methods For Aromatherapys Essential Oils
BATH:Add 10-12 drops of a single oil or a blend to 1/2 Cup Epsom Salts or baking soda - or 5 drops to 1 TBSP of Epsom Salts or baking soda. Pour it into a hot bath while it is filling.
The Science Of Mind Over Matter
We possess an incredible power. It's the power of mind to heal or attract that which we focus our attention on.
Acupressure
Developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago, acupressure is an ancient healing therapy that utilizes fingers to depress key locations on the skin's surface to prompt healing withing the body. Similar to acupuncture, acupressure uses the same reference points on the body that release muscular stress; thus encouraging better blood circulation.
Tap Away Your Fears
In my workshops we use energy techniques that involve tapping with your fingers on the ends of the energy meridians on your face, upper body, and hands. I would like to tell you why we do.