New Zealand Green-Lipped Mussel

Last Editorial Review: 6/11/2021
Other Name(s):

Extrait de Moule, GLM, Green Lipped Mussel, Green Shell Mussel, Mejillón Verde de Nueva Zealandia, Moule à Coquille Verte, Moule à Coquille Verte de Nouvelle-Zélande, Moule aux Lèvres Verte de Nouvelle-Zélande, Moule Vert-Labiée de Nouvelle-Zélande, Moule Verte de Nouvelle-Zélande, Mussel Extract, New Zealand Green Lipped Sea Mussel, New Zealand Green Mollusk, NZGLM, Perna canaliculus, Sea Mussel, Seatone.

Overview

New Zealand green-lipped mussel is a shellfish. People use it to make medicine. As a medicine, it is available in freeze-dried, ground, and capsule form.

New Zealand green-lipped mussel is used for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and asthma.

How does it work?

New Zealand green-lipped mussel might contain chemicals that help decrease inflammation.

SLIDESHOW

Vitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See Slideshow

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

  • Asthma. Developing research suggests that a particular extract of New Zealand green-lipped mussel (Lyprinol, Pharmalink) decreases daytime wheezing and improves breathing in some people with asthma.
  • Osteoarthritis. Early research suggests that taking New Zealand green-lipped mussel extract by mouth reduces symptoms of osteoarthritis, including pain and stiffness. However, other research shows little or no benefit. Most studies have used a specific extract of New Zealand green-lipped mussel (Seatone, MacFarland Laboratories), although some studies used another specific extract of New Zealand green-lipped mussels (Lyprinol, Pharmalink).
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Some early research suggests that taking a specific extract of New Zealand green-lipped mussel (Seatone, McFarlane Laboratories) by mouth reduces symptoms of RA, including pain and stiffness. However, other research shows no benefit.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of New Zealand green-lipped mussels for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

Side Effects

New Zealand green-lipped mussel is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth. It can cause some side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, and intestinal gas. In rare cases, it might cause liver problems.

QUESTION

Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See Answer

Special Precautions & Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: New Zealand green-lipped mussel is POSSIBLY UNSAFE to take by mouth during pregnancy. There is some evidence that it might slow the development of the unborn child and might also delay birth.

There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking New Zealand green-lipped mussel if you are breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of New Zealand green-lipped mussel depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for New Zealand green-lipped mussel. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

References

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Kosuge, T., Tsuji, K., Ishida, H., and Yamaguchi, T. Isolation of an anti-histaminic substance from green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus). Chem Pharm Bull.(Tokyo) 1986;34(11):4825-4828. View abstract.

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