Green lipped mussel glucosamine supplements are natural sources of polysaccharides, substances originally found in bones, bone marrow and soft tissues, needed by the human organism in order to maintain healthy bones and joints.
Together with chondroitin sulfate and Omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamines are able to prevent and reduce the unpleasant symptoms that appear in people with arthritis and to restore the functionality of the joints by reducing stiffness and swelling.
Glucosamine is a precursor for the previously mentioned glycosaminoglycans, which are part of the connective tissues that keep bones together and tie the skin and muscles in joints. As long as the body has enough of this substances, the cartilages are protected therefore joints problems such as arthritis are prevented.
In people already suffering from this disease, green lipped mussel glucosamine stimulates the regeneration of the cushion between adjoining bones, reducing the pain that appears when the protective layer represented by cartilage is damaged and eliminating the stiffness occurring in arthritic people.
Also, the mobility of the affected joints is improved once the cartilage is repaired and regains its structure and consistency. Studies show that although some moving limitations may still be present after long term treatments with dietary supplements containing glucosamine, the functionality of the joints is considerably improved in most of the cases.
Moreover, results obtained in scientific trials taken on arthritis sufferers using green lipped mussel glucosamine supplements show some improvements in joint space narrowing on radiographs as well. This means that the active principles in these shellfish not only relieve pain and swelling in affected joints, but are also able to prevent further destruction of cartilage in arthritic joints.
These results are remarkable and encouraging for rheumatoid diseases sufferers, but the problem is green lipped mussel supplements aren't always as pure and natural as their producers claim. So instead of getting the most of their health benefits, one may actually develop unpleasant adverse reactions because of the chemicals contained by lots of these products.
Choosing qualitative products on the other hand is the surest way to taking advantage of their impressive effects. So here are some tips for avoiding poor quality dietary supplements made of green lipped mussels.
The first step is to check the label on the package or container you intent to purchase. Make sure the supplements - whether they're capsules, powders or oils - actually contain glucosamine and that this component is clearly listed together with the other ingredients.
Also, check the concentration of each active principle and opt for the product that provides the highest amount of useful ingredients and the lowest amount of chemicals and harmful additives.
Then, look for information regarding the manufacturing process. Most producers don't mention these details on the supplements leaflets but you can always find out some of their secrets in what concerns the technology through which powders and capsules are obtained by simply reading the leaflet extremely carefully.
For example, if you intent to buy green lipped mussel glucosamine supplements made from dried shellfish, you should know this means the seafood is actually frozen before being processes, therefore lots of its components are altered during the extraction procedure. Products made of freshly harvested mussels are the best as they offer all the health benefits raw green lipped mussels can provide.