The potential benefits of a nutritional supplement prepared from the New Zealand green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus. The mussels harvested along the coast of New Zealand benefit from a constantly renewed supply of marine nutrients brought by the ocean current. The mussels act as a sea-water filter, which leads to the retention of a large number of potentially beneficial nutrients. Green-lipped mussels are known to contain a number of nutrients that may be beneficial in supporting pets with joint issues.
The reason for the benefit is that GLME contains anti-inflammatory agents, immune modulators and many essential building blocks like proteins, minerals, glycosaminoglycans and marine long chain fatty acids, all naturally occurring substantial therapeutic agents known to maintain joint mobility and well- being and needed to rebuild collagen, proteoglycans and synovial fluid found in the joints, ligaments and tendons.
It is important to note that GLME contains a natural content of glycosaminoglycans. This is the name for a group of polysaccharides which includes chondroitin sulphate, dermatan sulphate, hyaluronic acid etc. These glycosaminoglycans are used by the body for the biosynthesis of compounds called proteoglycans. The proteoglycans have a very strong affinity for water molecules in the joints, to which they bind, and form very large, slippery, space filling molecules. The function of these large combination molecules is to act as shock absorbers and also lubricants in the joints. Thereby reducing pain considerably, and that too without any adverse side effects of classical drug therapy.
Another valuable feature of the product is that it is found to have natural gastro-protective properties. This means that, not only does it not damage the delicate stomach lining, it actually provides a protective function for it. Thus the product is able to relieve the inflammatory symptoms associated with arthritic diseases whilst protecting the stomach from the damaging effect of some pain killers.
