Hyaluronan is broken down by repetitive motion and trauma — the hallmarks of intense training. The resulting smaller fragments of hyaluronan tend to promote inflammation. During recovery periods, newly-synthesized, larger molecules of hyaluronan keep inflammation in check. Oral supplementation with hyaluronan also keeps inflammation in check. The best available evidence is that oral hyaluronan is not subject to complete digestion in the gastrointestinal system. Instead, some hyaluronan is absorbed in much the same form as it is ingested and is transported to the vicinity of the joints. Supplementation with hyaluronan thus can stimulate the body to increase the production of its own hyaluronan in the tissues where it is most sorely needed to stave off inflammation and longer-term consequences such as osteoarthritis.