New Zealand green lipped mussel

New Zealand green lipped mussel, scientific name Perna canaliculus, is a bivalve mollusk belonging to the Mytilidae family and native to New Zealand. Its fame is growing fast because this type of mussel has beneficial properties for the health of the joints and, for this reason, it is possible to find, in specialized shops, supplements based on this mollusk that are really useful in case of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, joint stiffness and joint pain. The oil that is extracted from these green lipped mussels is rich in omega 3 fatty acids, substances that, according to scientific studies, are able to inhibit the activity of leukotrienes and cyclooxygenase COX, both molecules involved in the inflammation processes (Treschow et al., Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part b, 2007 and in the same journal also McPhee et al., 2007). The green lipped mussel is able to soothe joint inflammations and pain, brings elasticity and mobility and nourishes the cartilages. For what concerns the supplement, pay attention in case of allergy to seafood, in general side effects such as nausea, diarrhea and other intestinal problems may occur, in rare cases liver problems have been observed. There aren’t any studies about the safeness of the green lipped mussels during pregnancy and breastfeeding, for this reason it is better to avoid the remedy during these periods of life.