"It's my arthritis, dear. I can't knit or play piano anymore." "I don't remember the last time I went jogging. The arthritis is so bad." Do these statements sound familiar? If so, you're typical of millions of Americans who suffer from an inflammatory condition such as arthritis, or who have helplessly watched the suffering of arthritic parents or grandparents.

There is good news in the form of a health miracle from the sea—an oil derived from the green-lipped mussel that has been shown to have great anti-inflammatory benefits. Researchers have found that the green-lipped mussel oil extract, which contains healthy omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, is one of the best anti-inflammatory agents available.

Arthritis costs Americans some $65 billion per year in treatment costs and lost productivity. Current research shows that both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis respond to the mussel oil extract with significant reductions in inflammation and swelling. Moreover, this mussel oil extract has been found to be nontoxic and free of significant side effects. Unlike most medications used to treat arthritis—such as COX-2 inhibitors  and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), which have adverse gastrointestinal side effects—the oil extract of green-lipped mussels actually protects the gastrointestinal tract.

Producing the Green-Lipped Mussel Oil

The mussels are harvested from the pristine waters of the Marlborough Sound of New Zealand by specifically equipped ships, which are totally enclosed so they release no pollution. In less than two hours, the mussels—which are kept under maximum refrigeration to ensure freshness—reach the grinder and centrifuge at the factory. They go through a series of processes to extract their essential liquid, which is combined with a stabilized natural fruit acid and freeze-dried. Once processed from stabilized mussel powder, the lipid oil extract is easily digestible; it does not contain any salt, so patients with high blood pressure or anyone adhering to a low-sodium diet can safely use it.

The problem with the mussel powder is that it is extremely fragile. If exposed to air or heat, it oxidizes quickly and loses its therapeutic properties. A company called Pharmalink International, via a patented process, has had the only success to date in creating a mussel oil that has retained its maximum therapeutic properties. This is formulated in a product called Lyprinol.

Medical researchers at a number of international universities have conducted numerous studies on Lyprinol as an anti-inflammatory, and found it to be 200 times more potent than Max-EPA; 250 times more potent that other green-lipped mussel products; 350 times more potent than evening primrose oil; 350 times more potent than salmon oil; and 400 times more potent than flax seed oil.

For those who are seeking relief from the pain and disability associated with arthritis and want to steer clear of prescription medications, Lyprinol made from the lipid oil extract of green-lipped mussels is a wonderful option. Best of all, it has been well studied and shown to have significant benefits for reducing other inflammatory conditions as well—including other joint disorders, cardiovascular disease, and asthma and allergies, to name a few.

If you want to learn more about this promising natural inflammatory, type "Lyprinol" into your search engine to read recent medical research, and to learn more about the other healing properties of the green-lipped mussel oil. There is also a good website, www.LyprinolUSA.com, that provides background and supporting research.