Green-lipped mussel's therapeutic uses
Green-lipped mussels, often enjoyed as a delicacy in sushi, are being explored for their potential therapeutic uses, particularly in the treatment of osteoarthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, they are thought to help reduce inflammation, which is a key factor in various health issues, including arthritis and asthma. While some studies have suggested that green-lipped mussels may alleviate pain and improve quality of life for individuals with osteoarthritis, the overall scientific evidence remains inconsistent and requires further research to establish their effectiveness.
In addition to osteoarthritis, green-lipped mussels are being investigated for their impact on rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and potentially other inflammatory conditions like irritable bowel disease and tendinitis. Preliminary findings indicate that they may provide relief from asthma symptoms and muscle soreness in athletes, but these claims need more rigorous validation. Generally, green-lipped mussels are considered safe with few reported side effects, aside from mild digestive issues, although individuals with shellfish allergies should avoid them. As the interest in natural remedies grows, green-lipped mussels represent a promising area of study in complementary health approaches.
Green-lipped mussel's therapeutic uses
- DEFINITION: Natural seafood product used to treat specific health conditions.
- PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USE: Osteoarthritis
- OTHER PROPOSED USES: Asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, other inflammatory conditions, immune booster
Overview
Green-lipped mussels, a common appetizer in sushi restaurants, contain healthy fats in the omega-3 family. Like fish oil, another source of omega-3 fatty acids, green-lipped mussels have shown some promise for reducing inflammation. Inflammation is the cause of symptoms in numerous illnesses, ranging from arthritis to asthma to chronic health conditions. On this basis, green-lipped mussels have been promoted as a treatment for these conditions. However, the evidence that they provide any meaningful benefits remains highly preliminary.
Therapeutic Dosages
A typical dose of green-lipped mussel is about 200 milligrams (mg) per day of the lipid extract or 1,000 mg daily of the freeze-dried powder.
Therapeutic Uses
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. Inflammation plays a relatively less important role in osteoarthritis. Green-lipped mussels have been tried for both conditions, and a 2021 study showed conclusive evidence of green-lipped mussels' ability to relieve pain and reduce inflammation effectively.
Unlike standard nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which harm the stomach wall, green-lipped mussels might help prevent ulcers. They have also been shown to ease asthma. Green-lipped mussels are also being explored to treat other inflammatory conditions, such as irritable bowel disease and tendinitis.
Scientific Evidence
Arthritis. The evidence regarding using green-lipped mussel for arthritis remains weak and inconsistent. Several animal studies performed by a single research group have reported that green-lipped mussel reduces symptoms of osteoarthritis. However, the results from human studies remain inconsistent. Only a few reported controlled studies of green-lipped mussel for osteoarthritis found benefits. One study published in 2017 found that green-lipped mussel supplementation reduced pain and improved the quality of life of study participants with osteoarthritis of knee and hip osteoarthritis.
Asthma. In an eight-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of forty-six people with allergic asthma, those who received a green-lipped mussel extract showed some improvement in wheezing and peak air flow. While further study appeared to confirm the green-lipped mussel’s ability to reduce asthma symptoms and act as an anti-inflammatory, more studies are needed.
Small-scale studies have also shown that green-lipped mussels may be effective in treating muscle soreness in athletes and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, but more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Safety Issues
In studies, green-lipped mussel has not caused many 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.
Bibliography
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