Green-Lipped Mussel
- Therapeutic Uses
- What is the Scientific Evidence For Green-Lipped Mussel?
- Therapeutic Dosages
- Safety Issues
- References
En Español (Spanish Version)
The green-lipped mussel, a common appetizer in sushi restaurants, contains healthy fats in the omega-3 family. Like
fish oil
, another source of omega-3 fatty acids, green-lipped mussel has shown some promise for reducing inflammation.
1
Inflammation is the cause of symptoms in numerous illnesses, ranging from arthritis to asthma. On this basis green-lipped mussel has been promoted as a treatment for these conditions. However, the evidence that it provides any meaningful benefits remains highly preliminary.
There are two major forms of arthritis:
osteoarthritis
and
rheumatoid arthritis
. Rheumatoid arthritis is primarily a disease of inflammation, and the anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil have been successfully used to treat it.
2
Inflammation plays a relatively less important role in osteoarthritis. However, green-lipped mussel has been tried for both conditions, with, at present, inconclusive results.
Unlike standard
NSAIDs
, which harm the stomach wall, green-lipped mussel might actually help prevent
ulcers
.
3
Green lipped mussel has also shown some promise for
asthma
.
Arthritis
The evidence regarding use of green-lipped mussel for arthritis remains weak and inconsistent.
16
Several
animal studies
performed by a single research group have reported that green-lipped mussel reduces symptoms of osteoarthritis.
4-6,17
However, the results from human studies remains inconsistent. Of five reported controlled studies of green-lipped mussel for osteoarthritis, two found benefit.
7-13,16
Asthma
In an 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 46 people with allergic asthma, those who received a green-lipped mussel extract showed some improvement in wheezing and peak flow of air.
14
A typical dose of green-lipped mussel is about 200 mg per day of the lipid extract or 1,000 mg per day of the freeze-dried powder.
In studies, green-lipped mussel has not caused much in the way of side effects other than occasional mild digestive distress. People with shellfish allergies, however, should avoid green-lipped mussel.
Unlike oysters, green-lipped mussel does not appear to contain heavy metals.
15
References
Halpern GM. Anti-inflammatory effects of a stabilized lipid extract of
Perna canaliculus
(Lyprinol).
AllergImmunol (Pairs)
. 2000;32:272–8.
James MJ, Cleland LG. Dietary n-3 fatty acids and therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.
Semin Arthritis Rheum
. 1997;27:85–97.
Rainsford KD, Whitehouse MW. Gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of green lipped mussel (
Pernacanaliculus
) preparation.
Arzneimittelforschung
. 1980;30:2128–32.
Bui LM, Pawlowski K, Bierer TL. The influence of green-lipped mussel powder (
Perna canaliculus
) on alleviating arthritic signs in dogs [abstract].
FASEB J
. 2000;14:A218.
Bui LM, Pawlowski K, Bierer TL. A semi-moist treat containing green-lipped mussel (
Perna canaliculus
) can help to alleviate arthritic signs in dogs [abstract].
FASEB J
. 2000;14:A748.
Bui LM, Pawlowski K, Bierer TL. Reduction of arthritic signs in dogs fed a mainmeal dry diet containing green-lipped mussel (
Perna canaliculus
) [abstract].
FASEB J
. 2000;14:A748.
Cho SH, Jung YB, Seong SC, et al. Clinical efficacy and safety of Lyprinol, a patented extract from New Zealand green-lipped mussel (
Perna canaliculus
) in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee: a multicenter 2-month clinical trial.
Allerg Immunol
. 2003;35:212–6.
Larkin JG, Capell HA, Sturrock RD. Seatone in rheumatoid arthritis: a six-month placebo-controlled study.
AnnRheum Dis
. 1985;44:199–201.
Audeval B, Bouchacourt P. Etude controle en double aveugle contra placebo de l’extrait de moule
Pernacanaliculus
dans les gonarthrose.
Gaz Med Fr
. 1986;38:111–6.
Caughey DE, Grigor RR, Caughey EB, et al.
Perna canaliculus
in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Eur JRheumatol Inflamm
. 1983;6:197–200.
Gibson RG, Gibson SL, Conway V, et al.
Perna canaliculus
in the treatment of arthritis.
Practitioner
. 1980;224:955–60.
Gibson RG, Gibson SL. Green-lipped mussel extract in arthritis [letter].
Lancet
. 1981;1:439.
Gibson SLM, Gibson RG. The treatment of arthritis with a lipid extract of
Perna canaliculus
: a randomized trial.
Comp Ther Med
. 1998;6:122–6.
Emelyanov A, Fedoseev G, Krasnoschekova O, et al. Treatment of asthma with lipid extract of New Zealand green-lipped mussel: a randomised clinical trial.
Eur Respir J
. 2002;20:596–600.
Rojas de Astudillo L, Chang Yen I, Agard J, et al. Heavy metals in green mussel (
Perna viridis
) and oysters (
Crassostrea
sp.) from Trinidad and Venezuela.
Arch Environ Contam Toxicol
. 2002;42:410–5.
Cobb CS, Ernst E. Systematic review of a marine nutriceutical supplement in clinical trials for arthritis: the effectiveness of the New Zealand green-lipped mussel Perna canaliculus.
Clin Rheumatol.
2005 Oct 12 [Epub ahead of print].
Bui LM, Bierer TL. Influence of Green Lipped Mussels (Perna canaliculus) in Alleviating Signs of Arthritis in Dogs.
Vet Ther.
2003;4:397-407.
Last Reviewed July 2012