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From The March 2001 Issue of Nutrition Science News
New Zealand Green-lipped Mussels for Inflammation
by Anthony Almada
Back in the early '80s, one of the few supplements promoted for arthritic conditions was an extract from New Zealand's green-lipped mussel (NZGM). Decades later this benevolent bivalve populates plates of fine cuisine as well as numerous dietary supplements. Test-tube studies have shown pronounced anti-inflammatory activity. Animal models of rheumatoid arthritis have shown that Lyprinol, an oil extract of NZGM, performs better than fish oil, crude and pure cetyl myristoleate (CMO), naproxen, and ibuprofen.2-4
Human studies, however, are less abundant. One recent three-month human study of 60 subjects (lacking a placebo group) found both stabilized oil and powder extracts of Lyprinol improved symptoms of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, a finding unique to joint supplements.5 Unlike many anti-inflammatory drugs (that inhibit COX enzymes), Lyprinol appears to inhibit the lipoxygenase enzyme, which is the gatekeeper in the production of proinflammatory chemical mediators. Perhaps it does this through its unique fatty acid profile. This action is fostering new research, which may offer hope for sufferers of underrecognized inflammatory conditions such as asthma, PMS, and allergies.
Anthony Almada is a nutritional and exercise biochemist and has collaborated on more than 50 university-based clinical trials. He is the co-founder of EAS and founder and chief scientific officer of IMAGINutrition.
Disclosure: Anthony Almada has been asked to be a member of the scientific and medical advisory board of Pharmalink, a company that distributes Lyprinol.
References
1. Whitehouse MW, et al. Anti-inflammatory activity of a lipid mussel fraction (Lyprinol) from the NZ grren-lipped mussel. Inflammopharmacology 1997;5:237-46.
2. Whitehouse MW, et al. Over the counter (OTC) oral remedies for arthritis and rheumatism: how effective are they? Inflammopharmacology 1999;7:89-105.
3. Shiels IA, Whitehouse MW. Lyprinol: anti-inflammatory and uterine-relaxant activities in rats, with special reference to a model for dysmenorrhea. Allerg Immunol 2000;32:279-83.
4. Gibson SL, RG Gibson. The treatment of arthritis with a lipid extract of Perna canaliculus: a randomized trial. Compl Ther Med 1998;6:122-6.
5. Dugas B. Lyprinol inhibits LTB4 production by human monocytes. Allerg Immunol 2000;32:284-8.
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