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As we age, our bodies are no longer as strong as they once were. Our bones get weaker, the immune system cannot defend the body as well, and the brain is not as capable of retaining memory – these are only a few of the many disadvantages of aging. These disadvantages also lead to other problems in our health, such as arthritis. Arthritis is a condition where the joints are inflamed, causing chronic pain, stiffness, and possible swelling in the area. Symptoms also include weight loss, poor sleep, and fatigue. All these call for immediate arthritis remedies.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 50 million people in the US have been diagnosed with the condition. There are many types of arthritis, but the two most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is caused by the mechanical wear and tear of joints in the fingers, knees, spine, and hips. On the other hand, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the joints, primarily in the hands and feet.
Osteoarthritis usually begins during old age, but the latter can occur at any time in life. The disorder has been found to be prevalent in times as old as the Mesozoic era, as evidence of inflammatory osteoarthritis was discovered in dinosaur remains. Human arthritis dates as far back as 4500 BC – skeletal remains of Egyptian mummies, as well as Native Americans, were found to show signs of the condition.
Arthritis is caused when the protective cartilage around the bones wears down with time. The cartilage is a flexible tissue that protects the joints and bones from pressure or shock experienced during movement. When this cartilage is reduced, affected, or inflamed, it cannot filter the outward pressure, and hence, the joints and bones are directly impacted, causing pain, discomfort, and soreness in the body.
There is no specific cure or treatment to treat arthritis, but the effects can be significantly reduced through a number of ways. Physiotherapy, surgery, orthopedic bracing, and anti-inflammatory medication are some known arthritis remedies.
Constant use of these anti-inflammatory drugs comes with side effects that aren’t too good for you, so substituting them with 100% natural New Zealand green lipped mussel supplements is one effective way to relieve arthritis symptoms.
New Zealand green lipped mussel supplements are derived from mussels found exclusively in New Zealand. They are a form of shellfish that are brown or green in color with green edges, which is where they get their name from. The green lipped mussel (GLM) industry in the country is constantly growing due to the popularity of the product and is valued at NZ$250 million.
This short 5 minute video below will help you see the clear connection between green lipped mussels and arthritis. You can see real life people talking about how they sought relief from their arthritis painful symptoms, by ingesting the right supplements:
The industry, which has been successfully running since the 1970s, follows extremely strict quality standards in accordance with the U.S Food and Drug Administration, European Union, and NZ Food Safety Authority, so you can be sure that the product you receive is extremely pure and clean.
The mussels and the seawater around cultivation farms are regularly monitored and tested for any harmful toxins and bacteria to ensure the manufacture of safe and healthy products. While you can eat them as is, the best way to use GLM is in the form of supplements as they don’t taste too good.
Plus, raw GLM is not accessible to anyone not living in New Zealand, but a supplement can be transported to any part of the world, thus catering to a much larger customer base. Medicinally, it is available freeze-dried, ground, or in the form of oil and powder capsules.
While green lipped mussel supplements work as a great arthritis remedy, they also have a number of additional benefits because of the variety of beneficial components they possess. Some of these benefits include relieving symptoms of asthma and other respiratory issues, improving blood flow to the heart, reducing muscle soreness, better gut health, and PMS pain relief.
All of these advantages of arthritis remedies come from one key characteristic of green lipped mussels. They are known to have excellent anti-inflammatory properties from the amino acids, minerals, and antioxidants present. These anti-inflammatory effects of the green lipped mussels have been studied since it was found that Maoris living by the coast had very low rates of arthritis and were generally healthy during old age when compared to inland Maori people.
So How Does It Work?
Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids, namely alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are the most important components in GLM, along with mucopolysaccharides, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Omega 3 fatty acids contribute largely to maintaining joint cell structure and restoring function, which aids those who have arthritis as they do this by dampening inflammatory reactions in the body. In addition to this, the high concentration of mucopolysaccharides in green lipped mussels coat the cellular membranes and aid in cushioning or lubricating the area between bones and joints. This carbohydrate binds to proteins or lipids in tissues and works on the optimal circulation of nutrients.
Further, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are two components that are present in normal cartilage. Since GLM contains more of these, it can contribute to the stronger building of cartilage in the body.
Green lipped mussel consumption is also shown to inhibit COX-1, COX-2, and arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase activity better than fish oil. It decreases the formation of leukotrienes and prostaglandins; two inflammatory mediators present in the body. Since Omega-3 in GLM works better than fish oil, researchers were led to find that the mussels contain another fatty acid called furan fatty acid (F-acid).
It was proposed that F-acids contain incredibly potent antioxidant properties that contribute to inflammation control. Other marine life does not possess the right enzymes to synthesize these fatty acids. Moreover, the New Zealand coastline may have a unique component that allows for a greater concentration of F-acids among some life forms that feed there.
To confirm this anti-inflammatory effect of F-acids compared to other omega-3 acids, a study was conducted on a rat with adjuvant-induced arthritis. The F-acid ethyl ester was found to show more potent anti-inflammatory activity than the EPA ethyl ester, concluding that GLM supplements are more beneficial as arthritis remedies than regular fish oil supplements.
In one human trial that lasted between 3 and 6 months, the potentially beneficial properties of New Zealand green lipped mussel supplements were compared with that of placebo capsules. Participants were aged between 30-80.
It was found that GLM supplements were more effective than the placebo in treating arthritis pain symptoms, improving bodily functions, and increasing the overall quality of life when taken along with paracetamol and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).
In another trial conducted to investigate the effects of GLM in treating osteoarthritis, 80 patients with severe osteoarthritis in the hip or knee were studied. The trial was undertaken to assess potential impacts on arthritis pain and quality of life after 12 weeks of treatment.
One group of participants received 600 mg of GLM per day for 12 weeks, while the other received a placebo for the same period. They were assessed at the start of the trial, at the end of therapy, and three weeks after the end of therapy.
It was found that joint stiffness improved in the GLM group when compared to the placebo group. There was also a significant difference in paracetamol use between the GLM group and the placebo group after the end of therapy.
This goes to show that New Zealand green lipped mussel supplements can, in fact, be used as one of few substantially efficient arthritis remedies without major side effects.
Xtend Life Green Lipped Mussel Supplement Powder is an extremely well-made GLM supplement that can deliver significant results. Generally speaking, powder is more favorable than oil or extract when it comes to GLM supplements due to the manufacturing process.
The powder type retains a lot more of its nutrients when compared to the oil type, as extraction is done without the induction of high temperatures or freeze-drying.
Moreover, the time required to process it is relatively short – it is complete in just under one hour. On the other hand, oil supplements use high temperatures and unfavorable time periods for processing, so many of the nutrients are lost along the way. Manufacturers also add other types of oil, such as olive oil or soybean oil, so the product is not 100% pure in oil supplements.
However, some GLM supplements could possibly work as arthritis remedies to a certain extent. Some of them include Lyprinol, and Xtend Life Not Just Joints.
While the above facts show that supplementing with GLM can be an effective arthritis remedy, the dosage may vary from person to person depending on various factors, so it is always a good idea to take precautions and consult your doctor before adding any new supplement type to your regime.
