Magnesium is needed for hyaluronic acid synthesis. Magnesium supplementation is an established treatment for many of the symptoms of connective tissue disorders, such as fibromyalgia, mitral valve prolapse and contractures. Ascorbic acid can degrade hyaluronic acid. Estrogen treatment increases activity of hyaluronic acid. Estrogen is known to increase utilization of nutrients like magnesium and zinc - nutrients that are known to affect hyaluronic acid levels.
Cigarette smoke is known to degrade hyaluronic acid.
In a study of rats, hyaluronic acid turnover and metabolism were affected by age, dietary composition, and caloric intake . In another study on rats, hyaluronic acid deposition in rat cerebellum is affected by thyroid deficiency, thyroxine treatment and undernutrition . In a study of humans, hyaluronic acid levels were altered by physical activity and food ingestion . In a study on rats, skin hyaluronic acid concentration was higher than normal in energy deficiency, but below normal levels in prolonged protein deficiency . In rats suffering from prolonged malnutrition, the collagen concentrations are reduced.