The New Zealand green lipped mussel has been an extremely popular food source in New Zealand since the dawn of time already. It's a well established industry which is worth around three hundred million NZ dollars. In general, mussel farms yield more or less 10 tons of mussels per hectare. In the case of protein production, mussel farms are about 200 times more efficient in comparison to onshore livestock farms.
These days the mussels can of course be farmed in other countries, but those farmed in New Zealand are thought to be above par in terms of quality. This is essentially because of the water quality where they're farmed. The New Zealand bureaucracy has some of the most rigorous environmental regulations in place, and water samples are taken frequently for independent examination so they can look for traces of heavy metals, harmful bacteria, and various other bio-toxins.
Okay, we realize green lipped mussels from New Zealand are of the best quality money can buy, but what makes this specific type of mussel so special?
Green lipped mussels, when consumed fresh, are known to inhibit an "inflammation-supporting" pathway referred to as 5-lipoxygenase. Because of this, a few health supplement manufacturers have set about adding concentrated green lipped mussel extract to a number of their products which are designed to combat ailments such as arthritis.
The big pharmaceutical companies are obviously disputing the anti-inflammatory properties of the mussels, but of course we all know, the big pharmaceutical manufacturers dispute all natural therapies. They tried to convince the world that omega-3 supplementation is pointless, yet today even the FDA recommends it.
The mussels are also an incredible source of lipids and omega-3 essential fatty acids. Plenty of health conscious individuals have even changed from fish oil supplements to new zealand green lipped mussel supplements. While oily fish are a richer source of omega-3 fatty acids in comparison to mussels, many consider mussel extract to be a less risky alternative. The reason behind this being that only farmed mussels gets used, and for that reason, risk of heavy metal contamination has been eliminated.
Fish oil on the other hand is produced from fish that have been taken from the sea, and of course it's a widely known fact that heavy metal contamination in the world's seas is getting gradually worse. Even the best fish oil you can obtain comes from fish that have at least some amount of toxic contamination. That is why it's always sensible to select a supplier very carefully.
In order to get a top quality extract, the New Zealand green lipped mussel has to be freeze dried almost at once after they've been collected. They are then converted into powder in order to facilitate lipid extraction, and it this extract which you'll get in a good supplement. Lower end manufacturers will however usually choose the powder which is left over after the lipid extraction process. This powder is of an inferior quality, but not surprisingly it's more affordable, and that brings larger profits. The moral of the story... think thoroughly before you decide to buy.
These days the mussels can of course be farmed in other countries, but those farmed in New Zealand are thought to be above par in terms of quality. This is essentially because of the water quality where they're farmed. The New Zealand bureaucracy has some of the most rigorous environmental regulations in place, and water samples are taken frequently for independent examination so they can look for traces of heavy metals, harmful bacteria, and various other bio-toxins.
Okay, we realize green lipped mussels from New Zealand are of the best quality money can buy, but what makes this specific type of mussel so special?
Green lipped mussels, when consumed fresh, are known to inhibit an "inflammation-supporting" pathway referred to as 5-lipoxygenase. Because of this, a few health supplement manufacturers have set about adding concentrated green lipped mussel extract to a number of their products which are designed to combat ailments such as arthritis.
The big pharmaceutical companies are obviously disputing the anti-inflammatory properties of the mussels, but of course we all know, the big pharmaceutical manufacturers dispute all natural therapies. They tried to convince the world that omega-3 supplementation is pointless, yet today even the FDA recommends it.
The mussels are also an incredible source of lipids and omega-3 essential fatty acids. Plenty of health conscious individuals have even changed from fish oil supplements to new zealand green lipped mussel supplements. While oily fish are a richer source of omega-3 fatty acids in comparison to mussels, many consider mussel extract to be a less risky alternative. The reason behind this being that only farmed mussels gets used, and for that reason, risk of heavy metal contamination has been eliminated.
Fish oil on the other hand is produced from fish that have been taken from the sea, and of course it's a widely known fact that heavy metal contamination in the world's seas is getting gradually worse. Even the best fish oil you can obtain comes from fish that have at least some amount of toxic contamination. That is why it's always sensible to select a supplier very carefully.
In order to get a top quality extract, the New Zealand green lipped mussel has to be freeze dried almost at once after they've been collected. They are then converted into powder in order to facilitate lipid extraction, and it this extract which you'll get in a good supplement. Lower end manufacturers will however usually choose the powder which is left over after the lipid extraction process. This powder is of an inferior quality, but not surprisingly it's more affordable, and that brings larger profits. The moral of the story... think thoroughly before you decide to buy.
About the Author:
For more articles with connection to New Zealand mussel, please see my site at http://www.jointsandyourhealth.com/. By V K Rajagopalan - A strong advocate of natural health solutions.
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