Do You Know Why Green Lipped Mussel Cream is Less Efficient Than Powder?

Green lipped mussel cream is usually recommended to people suffering from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid ailments, who frequently accuse joint pain, swelling and stiffness.

Unlike drugs, creams and gels made of New Zealand mussels are applied topically therefore they tend to exert their action quicker than anti-inflammatory medicines.

Also, creams don't trigger the side effects that usually occur when using drugs and they don't cause stomach irritation or ulcerations like NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). This means mussels creams are safer and can be used even by people with digestive problems or by those who look for less invasive treatments.

Then, green lipped mussel topical products are more natural compared to drugs, as they usually contain fewer additives and chemicals. And these are only some of the reasons for which lots of arthritis sufferers prefer creams and gels instead of anti-inflammatory drugs.

But what they don't know is that a regular green lipped mussel cream is less efficient than the powder extracted from these shellfish. So let's see which are the properties of each of these products that make them more or less helpful in arthritis sufferers.

Green lipped mussel extracts vs. creams

Creams made of these shellfish provide temporary relief from arthritis symptoms such as swelling, joint aches and muscular cramps. Still, they aren't able to cure the condition for good as they don't act against the root cause of this ailment.

On the other hand, extracts in the form of powders or oils are created for long term use and they're able to act against the triggers of rheumatoid diseases, helping the patient to get rid of arthritis.

In what concerns the components of these products, a green lipped mussel cream contains extracts from this shellfish but also additional amounts of chondroitin and glucosamine, substances known for their beneficial effects against inflammations and joint pain. The extract used for these topical treatments is less pure than the one from which powders or oils are made.

Most creams using green lipped mussels have added ingredients that are meant to speed up the absorption and as a consequence to provide quick relief from arthritis manifestations. Still, these extra substances aren't always so safe for people with hypersensitive skin therefore a green lipped mussel cream may not be suitable for certain patients.

Extracts used in powders are made of fresh mussels and have a more natural composition, with no chemicals and harmful additives. They're only contraindicated to people suffering from shellfish allergies but they provide more health benefits than creams and gels.

Taken orally, these powders strengthen the immune system due to their high content of minerals, vitamins, proteins, antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids. Also, they have gastro-protective effects; they relieve asthma symptoms, improve circulation and reduce skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema.

Adverse effects of green lipped mussel products

Both green lipped mussel cream and powder can trigger side effects in people with shellfish allergies so it's very important for these patients to carefully read the leaflet before using dietary supplements or gels based on New Zealand mussels.

Then, some arthritis symptoms may get worse when powders are firstly taken but once the body gets used with the detoxifying action of green lipped mussel supplements, this problem should disappear. Joints pain and swelling may also be accentuated by certain gels or creams, mostly because of the chemicals contained in these products.

Obviously, some of these side effects can be reduced or completely avoided by choosing qualitative supplements extracted from green lipped mussels.