Green Lipped Mussel – Have You Ever Heard Of These?

Green Lipped Mussel – Have You Ever Heard Of These?

Chances are that you haven’t heard of the green lipped mussel – I know that I never had. That makes sense considering that Perna canaliculus, the species that I am referring to, is found in the waters of New Zealand.

Well, maybe you haven’t heard of these before, but that is likely to change as this remarkable shellfish gets more and more exposure. Why will this happen – because it is being researched and studied because of its unique nutrient profile that makes it one of the most complete whole foods that are known.

As a result of these nutrients, the green lipped mussel is among other things a natural anti-inflammatory, and is able to provide many different health benefits.

More About The Green Lipped Mussel Waters

The waters where the mussels are found, and grown are critical because (1) because the health benefits come from the raw mussel (2) being from New Zealand, the mussels aren’t available fresh and raw to most people.

Consequently, most people getting these health benefits will do so by taking green lipped mussel supplements. And if there is anything that we know about natural supplements, it’s is how important the environment where the food source comes from is to the purity and quality.

I have heard of fish oil supplements, where the benefits were ruined, because the fish came from polluted or contaminated waters.

The waters around New Zealand are some of the most pristine that exist. There is an area around the South Island known as the Marlborough Sound, where the green lipped mussels that provide the best extract for supplement producing, are found.

One well-known natural health supplement company by the name of Xtend-Life only gets their mussels from one grower in this area – using specifications that make them in the top 0.1% of purity in the world.

What Are The Green Lipped Mussel Benefits

As an anti-inflammatory containing omega-3 essential fatty acids, and the glycosaminoglycan compounds chondroitin and glucosamine sulfates – the primary health benefits from the mussel are:

• Help in the inhibition and reduction of excess inflammation
• Help in the relief and management of joint pain and mobility problems

Having a natural source is additionally important when you consider the drugs and NSAIDs that are often prescribed for inflammation also have bleeding and gastro-intestinal issues as possible side effects – the primary things to be concerned with from green lipped mussel supplements is an allergic reaction if you are allergic to shellfish.

Besides these two primary benefits, there are seven additional benefits that have been shown in studies; these are related to the following:

• Skin care
• Circulatory system
• Immune system
• Bones and teeth
• Fertility
• Nervous system
• Nutrition

It is important to note that these health benefits all come from the raw mussel – or supplements that retain the characteristics of the raw mussel after processing.

So, before buying a green lipped mussel supplement, be sure that you do your research and find out about the company’s manufacturing process - and how it ensures the same nutrient quality as before they were extracted.

Some things to pay particular attention to are that the mussels have never been frozen or cooked, before or during processing, because these will both ruin the nutrients.

Green Lipped Mussel Omega-3 Study

One of the most popular and effective supplements for inflammation is fish oil omega-3 – even the American Heart Association has recommended that everyone eat more fish, because they need more of this essential fatty acid.

It is with regards to omega-3 that I want to mention a study that was done. Dr. Howard Peiper, an acknowledged expert in nutrition and natural health, is the author of ‘The Truth About Fish Oil’.

When doing research for his book, Dr. Peiper determined that omega-3 found in the green lipped mussel was much stronger and powerful than Salmon fish oil for anti-inflammatory benefits. He went on to say that the green lipped mussel omega-3 was revolutionary for essential fatty acids.