Green Lipped Mussel: Best joint supplement for dogs?

If you have been looking for joint health supplements for your dog, you must have come across green lipped mussel. But what is green-lipped mussel and why is it used in supplements? With so many different choices out there, it can be difficult to choose the right joint supplement for your dog.

This article will explain everything you need to know about green-lipped mussel supplements for dogs including its nutritional properties, potential benefits for your dog, its safety and side effects and what to watch out for when buying green-lipped mussel supplements for dogs. 

Table of Contents

• What is green lipped mussel
• Nutritional properties of green lipped mussel
• Potential benefits of Green lipped mussel for dogs 
• Who it's for - Which dogs
• Safety & side effects
• Ideal green lipped mussel supplement for dogs
• Bottom line 

What is Green-Lipped Mussel? 

Green-lipped mussel, known scientifically as ‘Perna canaliculus’ is a shellfish native to New Zealand. For generations, the indigenous Māori people of New Zealand that resided near the coast consumed raw green lipped mussel as a primary part of their diet. Interestingly, the green lipped mussel’s health benefits gained more importance after the observation that the Māori population living near the coast had a lower incidence of certain joint health issues than people that lived inland. 

Today, Green lipped mussels are harvested in New Zealand and are still consumed as food. It has gained a huge popularity all over the world as health supplements. The fresh green lipped mussel is usually converted into powder or oil for supplement use. 

Nutritional Properties of Green-Lipped Mussel

New Zealand green-lipped mussel is packed with nutrients. According to a study ‘Perna canaliculus (Green-Lipped Mussel): Bioactive Components and Therapeutic Evaluation for Chronic Health Conditions’ by Coulson, Palacios & Vitetta (2015), GlycOmega green lipped mussels contain the following nutrients:

• Proteins
• Amino Acids 
• Complex Carbohydrates
• Lipids 
• Omega 3 Fatty Acids (EPA/DHA)
• Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)
• Vitamins
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin D3
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin B12
• Minerals
• Copper
• Zinc
• Manganese
• Boron
• Chromium
• Iron
• Calcium
• Phosphorus
• Sodium
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Nickel
• Selenium
• Iodine
• Sulphur

Potential Benefits of Green-Lipped Mussel for Dogs

There are various health benefits of supplementing dogs diet with green-lipped mussel. It contains key nutrients that:  

• May help to support connective tissue and joint function
• Promote joint mobility
• Promote healthy skin & coat

Safety & Side Effects

Of course, if your dog is allergic to shellfish, green-lipped mussel supplements are not the right joint supplement for your dog. 

Safe use in pregnant or lactating dogs is usually not proven for green lipped mussel supplements. 

There are no known adverse medicine interactions when it comes to green lipped mussel. 

Green-lipped mussel can be given as an adjunct to pharmaceutical pain relief for dogs such as NSAIDs, however a veterinarian should be consulted. 

Ideal green lipped mussel supplement for dogs

With so many green lipped mussel supplements in the market, it can be difficult to find the right one for your dog. 

Not all green lipped mussel supplements are the same. Some green lipped mussel supplements contain fillers and other ingredients or are processed using heat which changes the chemical composition therefore leaving the green lipped mussel powder with little nutrients.

Simple checklist to help you find the ideal green lipped mussel supplements for dogs: 

• Contains Green-Lipped mussel extract only - no fillers or other ingredients to dilute out the green lipped mussel.

• Freeze dried is the best - Freeze drying retains the nutrients! Lot of green lipped mussel supplements are made by heat drying the fresh green lipped mussels which alter the nutritional properties.

•  In hardshell Capsules - Hardshell capsules help keep the powder fresh while providing accurate and consistent dosage. The shell can always be pulled apart, and the contents sprinkled on your dogs food if the dog doesn't like the outer shell.

• Sustainably harvested - Sustainability is of growing importance with climate change being a growing concern. Always look for sustainably farmed green lipped mussel products.

Flexipaw for dogs is made with GlycOmega -PLUS, a premium powder made from select live green lipped mussel meat. The fresh green lipped mussel meat is freeze-dried at below freezing temperatures to retain delicate nutrients for best results. It contains natural green lipped mussel powder in a convenient capsule format. It is sustainable farmed, processed and encapsulated in New Zealand. 

Bottom Line

Humans have been using green lipped mussel as a staple diet for decades and is increasingly being used as a supplement as it is naturally packed with nutrients. Some studies in dogs have shown numerous joint health benefits. When buying green lipped mussel supplements for your dog, make sure it is produced using freeze-drying method and no additives are present. Consult a veterinarian if your dog is on prescription medication. 

References

Capon, H., & Dycus, D. (2018). How to… case manage the osteoarthritic dog. BSAVA Companion, 2018(5), 14–19. https://doi.org/10.22233/20412495.0518.14 

Coulson, S., Palacios, T., & Vitetta, L. (2015). Perna canaliculus (Green-Lipped Mussel): Bioactive components and therapeutic evaluation for chronic health conditions. Progress in Drug Research, 91–132. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-0927-6_3 

Elliott, D., Servet, E., & Biourge, V. (2007). Nutritional management of canine osteoarthritis. Veterinary Focus, 17(3), 43–48.

Bui, L.M.; Bierer, T.L. Influence of green lipped mussels (Perna canaliculus) in alleviating signs of arthritis in dogs. Vet. Ther. 2003, 4, 397–407.

Bierer, T.L.; Bui, L.M. Improvement of arthritic signs in dogs fed green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus).J. Nutr. 2002, 132, 16345–16365.

Servet, E.; Biourge, V.; Marniquet, P. Dietary intervention can improve clinical signs in osteoarthritic dogs.J. Nutr. 2006, 136, 1995S–1997S.

Rialland, P.; Bichot, S.; Lussier, B.; Moreau, M.; Beaudry, F.; del Castillo, J.R.; Gauvin, D.; Troncy, E. Effect of a diet enriched with green-lipped mussel on pain behavior and functioning in dogs with clinical osteoarthritis. Can. J. Vet. Res. 2013, 77, 66–74. [

Disclaimer: The content on this website is for educational purpose only. We recommend you talk to your veterinarian if you have any concerns, if the lameness worsens or are unsure. Products on this website are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease. The statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.