Hyaluronan / Hyaluronic Acid
"Joint Juice"
Hyaluronic Acid, or Hyaluronan, is a major component of the lubricating fluid in our joints.
It has long been known that deterioration of hyaluronic acid in the fluid in joints can begin in people as young as 28 years old. As we age it is common for joints to become deficient in the hyaluronon molecule, causing a loss of "lubricity" of the fluid and resulting in the aches and pains in the joints that many of us just write off as "just getting older."
So, what is hyaluronic acid (HA) anyway?
HA is the molecule that holds all the moisture in your body in place. HA is present in the fluid that coats your muscle sheaths, in your connective tissues, in your eyes, your skin and hair and in the fluid that keeps your joints, tendons and ligaments elastic. It provides the "slipperiness."
Supplementing with HA has been shown to dramatically improve aches, pains, and ability to perform athletic exercise.
There is only one HA supplement available that meets Dr. Myatt's standards - it is a high molecular weight liquid form of HA that is easily and quickly absorbed through the tissues of the mouth and esophogus (throat).
Why is this important? It is important because low molecular weight HA does not tend to find it's way to the areas where it is needed - the joints and connective tissues. HA in tablet or capsule form must be absorbed from the gut - reducing availability even further.
That HA supplement is a product called PlayAgain.
Nurse Mark has been using PlayAgain and here is what he found:
"I am a 58 year old runner. My normal daily routine is to run several miles each morning. I do not run on pavement - I run along the cattle trails of the state lands (pastureland) behind our home. Over the past year or so I have noticed increasing discomfort in my hips following my runs. Like most people, I attributed it to "getting older" and controlled it with Bromelain, a natural antiinflammatory.
Recently while at a medical conference we met with the makers of PlayAgain Hyaluronic Acid. They asked me to trial their product and report my findings.
I used PlayAgain as directed - 3 tablespoons each morning for 10 days as a loading dose. I began to notice a reduction in hip discomfort on the 3rd to 4th day, and a significant increase in joint comfort and flexibility by the 10th day.
On the 10th day I ran out of PlayAgain, and was unable to replenish my supply for a week. By the end of that week without PlayAgain I was noticing a very definite return of my hip joint symptoms of discomfort and stiffness.
I have now resumed using PlayAgain (repeating the loading dose) and I am once again able to report decreased discomfort and stiffness and increased comfort on my daily runs."
Because PlayAgain is temperature sensitive (The HA molecule can be damaged by excessively high temperatures and by freezing) we are not stocking this product at this time. We feel that it is better for our patients and customers to obtain PlayAgain directly from the manufacturer to ensure freshness and careful handling to preserve quality.
The manufacturer suggests an initial order of 2 bottles. One bottle will be for your loading dose, the other bottle will maintain you for the rest of the first month. We suggest a first order of 3 bottles so that you don't risk running out as Nurse Mark did.
Can Wellness Club Members get their discount on PlayAgain?
No - and there are no beter prices to be found anywhere than the prices on the manufacturers website - we have looked!
We have been able to negotiate with the PlayAgain people to obtain free shipping for our Wellness Club customers - simply click this link to go to the PlayAgain secure order page and at checkout use the code: " FREESHIP ' (all caps, exactly as written, without the quotes) to save on shipping costs.
