Can NZ Green Lipped Mussel Capsules Replace The Raw Shellfish?

NZ green lipped mussel capsules are dietary products created mainly for arthritis sufferers, although people with good health states may also benefit from their ingredients and benefits.

Rich in anti-inflammatory natural ingredients, such as essential fatty acids, complex carbohydrates or glycosaminoglycans, oils and powders extracted from these mussels can successfully replace traditional drug therapies in certain ailments.

While their health benefits are scientifically argued and testimonials regarding the efficiency of green lipped mussels are widely available, there are still some aspects about these shellfish that need to be clarified.

Are NZ green lipped mussel capsules better than the raw seafood?

Before answering this question, let's take a look to what these dietary supplements contain. Only by knowing exactly how NZ mussel supplements are obtained and which is their composition we can decide whether these products are better than the fresh shellfish or not.

According to their producers, NZ capsules contain green lipped mussel powder, which is obtained from this shellfish after a freeze-dry treatment. In other words, the mussels, once harvested, are extracted from their shell, frozen in order to be purified from all potential contaminants and then dried for eliminating extra water.

These steps, although important for obtaining purer and more concentrated extracts, have the major drawback that they destroy lots of the active ingredients in these mussels, leaving them poorer and unfortunately, less valuable from the nutritional point of view.

So now we know NZ green lipped mussel capsules contain powder from dried seafood, which is less healthy than the raw shellfish as it provides lower amounts of minerals, proteins, antioxidants, vitamins and fatty acids compared to freshly harvested mussels.

But the mussel powder is surely not the only ingredient in these capsules, so let's see what other components these supplements include and whether they affect the quality of the final products or not.

What are the effects of additives in NZ green lipped mussel capsules?

Generally, the extra ingredients used for capsules containing oil or powder of New Zealand mussels are harmless but in certain conditions they can lead to unpleasant manifestations, whether we talk about allergic reactions or other conditions, like dry eyes and blurry vision, stomach upset or skin rash.

Glucosamine hydrochloride for example is used in many dietary supplements based on shellfish, including NZ capsules. Proved to be efficient against rheumatoid and osteoarthritis pain, as well as in back or knee aches and glaucoma, this ingredient is safe for most people. However, in some sufferers it triggers bloating, cramps and high blood sugar levels.

And there are lots of other ingredients, even in NZ green lipped mussel capsules, used for maintaining the shape of the capsules or for obtaining a specific color for these supplements, which can lead to mild or moderate side effects. The best way of avoiding these reactions is to choose another type of dietary supplement, with more natural content and fewer additives.