| Particularly with all the recent hype, you may | | | | and heparin are a part), betain, and eighteen |
| have wondered what is so special about a New | | | | amino acids. |
| Zealand green mussel. The answer is in their | | | | In New Zealand, the Maori tribe has long eaten |
| composition and the substances they feed on. | | | | green mussels and other seafood found |
| Due to their limited environment and their diet, | | | | abundantly off the country's shores. The Maoris |
| green lipped mussels are particularly rich sources | | | | have a very low incidence of arthritis. This |
| of lipids and omega-3 fatty acids. | | | | realisation led to further research which pinned |
| The green mussel is found only off the coast of | | | | down one of the key components as the high |
| New Zealand in its clear blue waters. The New | | | | levels of omega-3 fatty acids. It is reasoned that |
| Zealand Mussel Industry Council (NZMIC) licenses | | | | the omega-3s prevent, or slow down, degradation |
| marine farms in order to allow them to produce | | | | of cartilage and bone not only in humans, but in |
| these now famous sea creatures. The Council also | | | | animals as well. Swelling and inflammation are two |
| owns the trademarks for the alternate names for | | | | of the symptoms of arthritis which seem to |
| Perna canaliculus: green lipped, green shell, green | | | | respond favorably to daily doses of powdered |
| lips, and greenback mussels. While the NZMIC | | | | green mussel extract. |
| does specify that any product labeled as green | | | | The glycosaminoglycans and amino acids found in |
| mussel extract must be derived from the Perna | | | | green mussels are also substances purported to |
| canaliculus, they have not yet instituted a | | | | work as anti-inflammatory aids. Along with the |
| regulation which specifies how many lipids they | | | | adoption of a healthy, low fat diet, supplements |
| must contain. | | | | containing these ingredients may offer relief for |
| Green mussels first became quite popular when | | | | many people suffering from joint pain or |
| they were identified as containing high levels of | | | | inflammation. |
| lipids and omega-3s. Through extensive research, | | | | One thing consumers need to keep in mind when |
| scientists have determined that the best time to | | | | purchasing green mussel extract as a dietary |
| harvest the mussels is in the springtime. Once | | | | supplement is that if they are allergic to shellfish, |
| harvested, they must be quickly deep frozen in | | | | than they will also be allergic to green mussels. |
| order to stabilize and retain their nutrients. The | | | | Anyone who is experiencing chronic pain is |
| lipids are extracted, and the resulting substance is | | | | advised to seek the counsel of their physician, as |
| the vital component in green mussel extract. | | | | well. Although anti-inflammatory will treat the |
| In addition to the lipids, green mussels contain a | | | | source of the pain, there may be other options |
| variety of other essential nutrients. These include | | | | recommended by your doctor as a long-term |
| glycosaminoglycans (of which chondroitin sulphate | | | | approach to treatment. |