JOINT CARE SUPPLEMENTS

Green Lipped Mussel Extract

Joint Inflammation

Although inflammation is normal under certain conditions, prolonged or excessive levels of inflammation can result in pain and damage to the body, including the joints. The human body produces chemical mediators of inflammation, but at times the level of these chemicals is elevated, such as in those with rheumatoid arthritis.

What is Green Lipped Mussel?

Fresh Mussel extract is a traditional food from the sea that is rich in glucosamines, chondroitins and marine lipids to benefit joint health and mobility.

Green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) is a New Zealand shellfish, from which an extract has been shown to demonstrate anti-inflammatory properties, especially useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and osteoarthritis [OA].

New Zealand Mussels are grown and processed under strict government license to guarantee purity and potency levels. Encapsulation of the extract is done in laboratories licensed by the New Zealand Ministry of Health and the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Health Benefits

Evidence indicates that controlling the production of inflammatory mediators in the body may help improve conditions such as: Mussel Extract

Arthritis
Asthma
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Psoriasis
Osteoarthritis
Bursitis
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Sports Related Injuries
Inflammatory bowel disease
Lyme Disease
Connective Tissue Repair

Cold vs. Steam Processing

Most Green Lipped Mussel extracts are processed using steam. Unfortunately, this heat treatment reduces the quantities of important Omega-3 PUFA's, especially ETA, retained in the extract.

Look for supplements produced using the cold processing method which ensures that up to five times more ETA is extracted compared to other methods.

Research

Research on green-lipped mussel has to date, been largely focused on OA and RA. Results have been mixed. This was mainly due to early trials done prior to the extracts being stabilised with a preservative.

Later, more successful trials with stabilized freeze-dried powder and lipid extract of green-lipped mussel were effective at reducing symptoms in 70% of people with OA and 76% of people with RA. A similar study of people with either OA or RA showed green-lipped mussel reduced pain in 50% and 67% of the patients, respectively, after three months of supplementation.

Stabilized lipid extract is thus significantly more effective than a non-stabilized extract at inhibiting inflammation. Because both forms are currently available on the market, check product labels carefully.

Non Gastric Irritation Benefits

Nonsteriodal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, are often used for inflammatory conditions. However, most of these medications can produce the unfortunate side effect of stomach irritation, which may lead to stomach ulcer if taken frequently.

One animal study found that green-lipped mussel significantly reduced stomach ulcers resulting from taking NSAIDs.

Gel Creams

Green Lipped Mussel extract is also sold in an application gel. It is produced using the same method as the Supplex Capsules and therefore can apply the benefits of the Omega-3 Fatty Acids directly to the affected area.

The gel is absorbed quickly and easily into the skin without any stickiness or odour.