| Green lipped mussels and their extract are only | | | | lipped mussel extract, other than the fact that it |
| available from a limited number of New Zealand | | | | must come from the Perna canaliculus. |
| marine farm operations. Because of the amount | | | | Consequently, there are some unscrupulous |
| of lipids and other nutrients found naturally in this | | | | companies out there which market a nutraceutical |
| marine animal, many health advocates believe the | | | | containing very little omega-3 or other nutrients. |
| extract can be a powerful anti-inflammatory | | | | As discussed in the previous section, the time of |
| remedy in a non-synthetic form. | | | | harvesting is important to ensure the highest |
| The Latin name for the green lipped mussel is | | | | levels of these fatty acids are present as well as |
| Perna canaliculus. This marine creature is also | | | | ensuring that the product is freeze-dried quickly |
| referred to as the Green Lips, Greenback, or | | | | after removal so that the lipids do not oxidise. |
| Greenshell mussel - all trademarks of the New | | | | Rest assured, however, that most products |
| Zealand Mussel Industry Council (NZMIC). | | | | labelled as green mussel extract do contain the |
| Blue Ocean Institute, a United States | | | | natural nutrient profile of the animal. Savvy |
| environmental agency, has named the green | | | | consumers should carefully examine the label on |
| lipped mussel one of the top types of seafood | | | | the bottle and only deal with a reputable company |
| deemed "eco-friendly" in appreciation of the | | | | when buying green mussel extract as a health |
| manner in which it is farmed. | | | | supplement. |
| The extract from green lipped mussels was first | | | | One thing to look for is the price. Because green |
| developed as an alternative to fish oils - both of | | | | mussels are only available in New Zealand, there |
| which are high in the essential fatty acid, omega-3. | | | | are few accredited marine farms which can |
| Along with the mussels' omega-3s, extract of the | | | | supply the product - and that makes these |
| seafood also includes iron, betain, and chondroitin | | | | supplements fairly expensive. Any company which |
| sulphate and all of these substances are purported | | | | claims to be able to offer the same quality of |
| to have an anti-inflammatory or other healthful | | | | extract at half the price is probably marketing a |
| effect on the human body. | | | | compound which contains far fewer lipids. They |
| Recent research has uncovered that spring is the | | | | do this by packaging the powder left over after |
| optimal time to harvest the Greenshell mussels in | | | | lipid removal, which is far less effective in treating |
| order to extract the most omega-3 and lipid | | | | inflammation problems. Although other nutritional |
| content. | | | | elements are retained in the delipidated powder, |
| Nutraceutical companies quickly realised the | | | | the lipids are an important ingredient in combating |
| potential for manufacturing and distributing green | | | | inflammation. |
| lipped mussel extract. While it can be a benefit to | | | | Until there is a regulation to standardise green |
| many inflammation sufferers, not all extract | | | | lipped mussel extract compounds, the buyer |
| products are what they claim to be. | | | | should definitely beware. Do some research and |
| Part of the problem is that the NZMIC does not | | | | select a company which has a good reputation for |
| have a legal definition in place which defines the | | | | providing quality products before making a |
| necessary components to call a product green | | | | purchase. |