Green Lipped Mussels and Joint Support
Arthritis is a problem for aging humans and dogs that usually occurs due to age. Simply put, arthritis is caused by inflammation of the joints and it can affect one or multiple joints. Hip & joint issues often develop over time but they can also appear suddenly and are most common in pets that are overweight.
Cartilage is a firm and flexible connective tissue that is in their (and our) joints. It protects the joints by absorbing pressure and shock when your pets move and put stress on them. The reduction of this is what usually causes arthritis. The main goal in treating arthritis is to reduce the amount of inflammation and pain the joints are enduring. This is where green-lipped mussels come in!
Green-lipped mussels (GLM) have so many great benefits but the main one they are sought out for is for joint support due to their excellent anti-inflammatory properties and more. GLMs are the ultimate whole food for joint health as they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin, plus an array of vitamins & minerals.
GLM gets its anti-inflammatory properties from omega-3 fatty acids. Most pet owners know that EPA & DHA (omega-3s) are the key to health but did you know that GLMs have a third special omega-3 called ETA (Eicosatetraenoic Acid). While all omega-3 fatty acids have the ability to reduce inflammation by blocking the enzymes (lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase) that contribute to it, ETA is a rare form that goes one step further: it works at the gene level to lower the production of cyclooxygenase. This means less inflammation, less pain, and more mobility for your canine companion.
In addition to anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, GLMs are also filled with joint health glucosamine and chondroitin. Glucosamine is a vital part of protecting and repairing cartilage as it acts as a cushion between the joints. It is classified as an amino sugar and is an important building block for a variety of functions but most importantly creating and maintaining the cartilage between joints.The health of cartilage is an important step for joint pain prevention. Most of the research on glucosamine involves chondroitin which works hand in hand with glucosamine to ensure that the joints stay properly hydrated. A study found that supplementing with up to 3 grams of glucosamine daily reduced collagen degradation in the knees by 27% compared to the placebo group which was 8%.
GLMs are built to be the ultimate whole food source to combat against joint pain but how much should you be feeding?
Well, unfortunately there’s no definite answer to this question as it depends on multiple factors such as the severity of condition, the dog’s weight, age, diet, etc. But as a general guideline, 1 fresh green-lipped mussel per 20lbs is efficient enough to reap the benefits.
You may need to decrease or increase the quantity you’re feeding based on the results as this is just a starting point. It’s also important to note that although GLMs are a fantastic whole food source to aid in joint pain, it is not a magical potion that will heal all. To have the best outcome possible, it’s best to ensure that the dog is thriving in all aspects of their life from nutrition, exercise, enrichment, and more.
But with the addition of GLMs and more, this whole food can be a great tool for naturally overcoming joint pain!
https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/132/6/1634S/4687864
https://arthritis-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/ar3183
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21059244/
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/D-glucosamine
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23358550/