ABC News has recently focused on the possible anti-aging benefits of hyaluronic acid, also known as Hyaluron or HA. In a story entitled, "The Village of Long Life: Could Hyaluronic Acid Be an Anti-Aging Remedy?", the focus was on a villiage in Japan named Yuzuri Hara where people usually live a long time and often have perfect skin into their 80's or even into their 90's. More than 10 percent of the population of his village is 85 or older, which is about ten times the average in America.

Some studies suggest that the reason that residents Yuzuri Hara, known as "The Village of Long Life," live such long and healthy lives is mainly due to the fact that the local diet that is unique to the village features a starchy vegetable which is particularly rich in HA. In fact a large pharmaceutical company in Japan began Research & Development on a pill supplement containing HA. When they tested the pills on one thousand individuals, around half of them reported smoother skin and even improved eyesight. Hyaluronic acid has also proven effective in lubricating arthritic joints as well, as certain studies have shown positive results from injections into the joints of Hyaluronic Acid, a component of the bodies own lubricant fluid, that may delay the need for a joint replacement.

Hyaluronic Acid, also simply called HA, is plentiful in our bodies when we are born, but it's levels gradually recede over time. This reduction in HA levels may be a big part of the aging process which we see.

Hyaluronic Acid occurs in the deeper layers of our skin known as the dermis and it appears to help keep the skin smooth because of it's water retention qualities. Hyaluronic Acid also apparently helps to repair skin wounds and certain other problems.

In addition, it appears to help maintain collagen levels. Under normal circumstances, collagen depletion is widely considered to be a prime factor in subpar skin tone as well as elasticity of the skin, something that is often associated with the visual aging process.

Hyaluronic Acid makes up about eighty percent of the human eye, a fact that is surprising to some people. It is a sort of shock absorber to the retina which helps to prevent trauma to the eye. It has only been recently that hyaluronic acid has been considered effective in oral form although it has long been used in injections into the joints.