The New Zealand green-lipped mussel provides important substances for joint metabolism:
Glycosaminoglycans (GAG) are important components of articular cartilage. These long-chain amino sugar compounds are stored together with proteins in the cartilage to form even larger scaffolding structures (proteoglycans) and ensure the strength and simultaneous elasticity of the cartilage, as they can bind large amounts of water like a sponge. The best-known glycosaminoglycans are glucosamine and chondroitin (chondroitin sulphate). A deficiency leads to reduced elasticity and limited mobility.
The green-lipped mussel also contains valuable omega-3 fatty acids, lipids, vitamins, amino acids (including glutamine) and important minerals such as copper, zinc and selenium.
Special omega-3 fatty acids make up a large part of the biologically active components in the green-lipped mussel. In addition to EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), there is ETA (eicosatrienoic acid), which is found exclusively in this mussel and can have an effect on the inflammatory process.*
There are several studies on the use of green-lipped mussel in dogs that show positive effects on joint problems.**
*Fritsche (2015): The science of fatty acids and inflammation. Adv Nutr. 6(3):293S-301S.
Moreau et al. (2012): Effects of feeding a high omega-3 fatty acids diet in dogs with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2012 Jul 14
Peanpadungrat (2015): Efficacy and Safety of Fish Oil in Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis. J Med Assoc Thai. 98 Suppl 3:S110-4.
**Bierer und Bui (2002): Improvement of arthritic signs in dogs fed green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus). J Nutr. 132 (6 Suppl 2): 1634S-6S.
Hielm-Björkmanet al. (2009): Evaluating Complementary Therapies for Canine Osteoarthritis Part I: Green-lipped Mussel (Perna canaliculus). Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 6(3):365-73.
Rialland et al. (2013): Effect of a diet enriched with green-lipped mussel on pain behavior and functioning in dogs with clinicalosteoarthritis. Can J Vet Res. 77(1):66-74.
Vandeweerd et al. (2012): Systematic review of efficacy of nutraceuticals to alleviate clinical signs of osteoarthritis. J Vet Intern Med.26(3):448-56.
Servet et al. (2006): Dietary Intervention Can Improve Clinical Signs in Osteoarthritic Dogs. J Nutr. 136: 1995S–1997S