How Effective are Oral Hyaluronic Acid 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.