The Benefits of Green Lipped Mussels
Benefits of GLM
There continues to be more and more literature on the healing powers of this seafood! Green-lipped mussels (Perna canaliculus) are native to New Zealand and filled with vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fats, amino acids, antioxidants, enzymes, and many more nutrients. People in NZ have known about this animal's health benefits for centuries, but it is only now gaining popularity in the western world.
GLM may seem like an average food on the outside, but after this, you'll want to seek out some of these bad boys for your animals and maybe even you! GLM is a superfood for their powerful effect against arthritis, omega-3 properties, and help build healthier joints!
These mussels are loaded with essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids need to be supplied from food sources since the body cannot synthesize these on their own. Omega-3s are super beneficial because it reduces inflammation naturally, safely, and without harmful side effects. And less inflammation means less joint discomfort and stiffness for your beloved pet, unlike other commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs such as NSAIDs.
Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) – the green-lipped mussel also contains a third called Eicosatetraenoic Acid (ETA). 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.
GLM is also very sustainable to harvest! It is one of the top two eco-friendly kinds of seafood in the world by the International Conservation Organization Blue Ocean Institute and gained the USA Blue Ocean Award for environmental sustainability.
They are also grown in the cleanest water in the world! GLMs are grown in the pristine waters of the New Zealand coast, which are some of the cleanest in the world because of their long-distance from any dense population centers. The mussels are therefore free from the harmful effects of pollution and the plankton they feed on is nutrient-rich, making them a purer product for your dog to ingest than oil coming from fish in potentially-contaminated waters.
This seafood contains glucosamine and chondroitin, which strengthens your dog’s joint capsules and allows them to hold more water. More H20 means more shock absorption, which means less wear and tear on joints!
A precaution with any shellfish is that it must be steamed/boiled before fed to eliminate the risk of Toxoplasma gondii infection. If the mussel is sold in the half shell or without a shell, it will not need to be prepped.
You can feed fresh, dried, or even powdered GLM. But if you choose to provide a powdered form of GLM, make sure to feed one that is cold extracted and with a nutritional analysis since most powders without having at least 5% of the beneficial fatty acids stripped because it's cheaper!
Green-lipped mussels are a fantastic and easy addition to the bowl whether it's for a kibble booster or raw!
Written by: Hahnbee
Website: www.gsdstormy.com
------
https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/526-similarities-and-differences-wild-and-farmed-gre en-lipped-mussels
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2722199/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3525174/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5568208/#:~:text=New%20Zealand%20Green% 20Lipped%20Mussel,studies%20%5B7%2C%208%5D. https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/complementary-therapies/supplements-and-v itamins/supplement-and-herb-guide-for-arthritis-symptoms