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Maximum Viscosity
(High
Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid
vs. Low Molecular Weight)
 A
human joint lacking proper lubrication or with minimal
joint fluid will invariable allow articulating (joint)
bones to rub directly on top of each other causing long
term damage to the cartilage (spongy surface at the ends
of bones).
In
the body, hyaluronic acid always presents itself as a
large high molecular weight molecule. It is critical to
its function to be a large molecule. The molecule is
made up of a repetitive sequence of two modified simple
sugars, one called glucuronic acid and the other is N
acetyl glucosamine. These compounds are both negatively
charged and when put together, they repel, causing the
long molecule (large – high molecular weight) to stretch
out naturally. Molecules that are long and stretched
out give a high viscosity (lubrication) effect and
resist compression.
Orally consumed high molecular weight hyaluronic (HMW)
acid
helps to stimulate the natural HMW joint fluid thus
restoring viscosity and lubrication much like the motor
oil in a car. It has been shown that high molecular (HMW)
hyaluronic acid is far more effective in restoring joint
lubrication due to its ability to bind to more water.
The more water the more cushioning. Low Molecular
Weight (LMW) hyaluronic acid does not have the surface
area for binding to water and thus proper lubrication is
never gained. Our hyaluronic acid has a molecular
weight up to 5 times of the lowest molecular weight
competition.
 Compare
the glass slide above. The slide at the top is coated
with a low-molecular weight (LMW) HA of less than
500,000 Daltons. When the ball bearing is dropped, the
LMW HA cannot provide the viscosity and rebound to keep
from breaking the glass underneath. The slide at the
bottom is well protected with the high molecular weight
HA. Because of the long and highly viscous HA molecule,
it resist the compression of the ball bearing forcing it
back upwards and preventing the glass slide from
breaking. Imagine if the body only produced LMW HA.
All body parts that contain and rely upon HA for
lubrication would not be able to function.
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