Does Hyaluronic Acid Help Joint Pain?
Nutrition Diva weighs in on the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid tablets in reducing aches and pains.
Monica Reinagel, MS, LD/N, CNS
Q. What can you tell us about the safety and effectiveness of hyaluronic acid tablets to reduce the aches and pains of osteoarthritis?
Answer. Let’s start with the good news: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is quite safe. It’s also used with some success as an injectable, both to ease knee pain and to fill facial wrinkles. The not-to-good news is that hyaluronic acid injections don’t seem to work for everyone. Even for those who do get relief, it is temporary, lasting for 4 to 6 months. (Its effect on wrinkles is also temporary!)
That’s because hyaluronic acid doesn’t actually change the structure or function of the joint or skin. It just acts as a sort of lubricant—sort of like squirting a little WD-40 into a rusty hinge.
The least encouraging news is on hyaluronic acid as a dietary supplement, where it barely beats a placebo in terms of pain relief. Then again, placebo treatments for arthritis pain often bring rather impressive results—up to 50% reduction in pain! As with glucosamine supplements, there also seems to be a fairly wide range of response, with some people feeling no difference at all and some people reporting substantial improvement.
Because HA is safe and fairly inexpensive, it may be worth a 4-6 week trial to evaluate whether you feel a difference. You might also want to ask your doctor about the injectible format.
See also: Do Glucosamine Supplements Work?
Image courtesy of Shutterstock.
About the Author
Monica Reinagel is a board-certified licensed nutritionist, author, and the creator of one of iTunes’ most highly ranked health and fitness podcasts. Her advice is regularly featured on the TODAY show, Dr. Oz, NPR, and in the nation’s leading newspapers, magazines, and websites. Do you have a nutrition question? Call the Nutrition Diva listener line at 443-961-6206. Your question could be featured on the show.