Reader Comments | Hyaluronex

Reader Comments: What's on your mind?

A reader in Ohio writes: Are oral supplements compatible with joint injections?

Actually, joint injections of hyaluronan have an interesting history. In horses, a limited clinical trial of a few dozen animals -- coupled with demand from veterinarians and horsemen who knew that steroid injections were not the ultimate answer -- led to FDA approval of an injectable product almost 20 years ago. In the meantime, technology has advanced quite a bit, and some forward-thinking veterinarians and horsemen were interested enough in their horses' well-being to "do the experiment" and administer novel hyaluronan formulations optimized for absorption and bioavailability. The results continue to confound the "experts" in that more and more evidence is mounting that oral HA is just the right supplement on an ongoing basis to allow HA injections to be used therapeutically only when they are absolutely necessary. This "perfect marriage" of ongoing maintenance with oral hyaluronan and injections when indicated in the clinical judgment of veterinarians is helping more horses all the time stay in better condition for longer. Hyaluronex® is pleased to be at the leading edge of this trend, offering the highest-quality oral hyaluronan supplement on the market and working with veterinarians and basic scientists internationally in order to understand better the ways this remarkable molecule helps horses maintain healthy joints. Visit our site again as we continue to share the latest in basic and clinical information on oral hyaluronan supplements.

A reader in Kentucky writes: Why does Hyaluronex work so well?

By using the highest-quality starting materials, and carefully conducting its formulation and manufacturing processes, Hyaluronex consistently delivers a top-quality product, time after time. Beyond our careful formulation and manufacturing methods, Hyaluronex invests in basic and applied scientific research in an effort to continuously improve its formulations and our understanding of why they are so well-absorbed and effective. Such investments enable Hyaluronex to provide consumers with products that compete on the basis of superior performance.

A reader in Florida writes: I saw an HA product in one of those Big Box stores and another one in my local tack shop. Would either of those work for my horse?

We doubt it. To get a long shelf life, so you can get shelf space in mass-market retailers or get carried by certain distributors, there is a trade-off. Typically, these products compromise in at least one of two ways: First, most of these products are dry powders, which are not as easily absorbed as syrups and gels like Hyaluronex. Second, manufacturers of liquid products that need to do low-cost, high-volume business will obtain raw materials from suppliers who may cut corners. The recent scandal involving contaminated raw materials imported from China is a tragic but telling example of why it is important to pay attention to quality above all else. (Editor's note: None of Hyaluronex's ingredients is of Chinese origin.)