Buffk-9 Staff
What Are Green-Lipped Mussels?
Anti-Inflammatory Benefits of Green lipids Mussels For Dogs
Fatty acids are important for your dog
Can Green Lipped Mussels be used in dogs?
How Many Green-Lipped Mussels Should Dogs Have?
It is a known fact that NSAIDs can cause serious side effects in dogs. They can cause liver, kidney and ulcer damage and even damage to your dog’s soft tissues and joints.
Scientists have sought to find a way to relieve arthritis pain in dogs and people without side effects.
Enter green lipped mussels for dogs …
Researchers are looking at green lipped mussels to find a safe and effective option for dogs that can’t use NSAIDs.
Do you really want your dog to get liver disease or kidney disease?
Green lipped mussels may be used in conjunction with NSAIDs (also called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). With no side effects.
Let’s now take a look at what green lipped mussels can do for your dog and how you can avoid being scammed. There are many green lipped mussel powders that can help your dog.
What Are Green-Lipped Mussels?
The native New Zealand mussel is the green-lipped mussel ( perna canaliculus). The shell has a brightly colored stripe and an inside lip that is distinctively green.
The Maori, a Polynesian group in New Zealand, have used green lipped mussels for centuries. Scientists soon discovered that Maori people who live on the coast have lower rates of arthritis than inland Maori.
What is it that makes green lipped mussels a natural anti-inflammatory?
Anti-Inflammatory Benefits of Green Lipped Mussels For Dogs
You might be wondering, how can green lipped mussels replace expensive, scientifically-proven NSAIDs?
They actually work in the exact same way.
COX inhibitors are NSAIDs. They prevent an enzyme called Cyclooxygenase from making hormone-like chemicals, known as prostaglandins. The body’s inflammation is increased by prostaglandins.
The same anti-inflammatory benefits are offered by green lipped mussels that are COX inhibitors. Two important differences distinguish green lipped mussels from NSAIDs are:
1. NSAIDs could cause health problems because COX enzymes protect your liver and gut lining. These enzymes are harmful to the liver and stomach lining. Unlike NSAIDs however, green lipped mussels contain LOX inhibitors. These enzymes protect the liver and stomach lining from damage.
2. Green lipped mussels are more than just reducing inflammation. They can also help to build stronger joints in your dog.
Here are some ways to…
Mussels Help Build Healthy Joints
Glycosaminoglycans, or GAGs, are abundant in green lipped mussels. Chondroitin sulfate is an important GAG in green lipped mussels. This is an important supplement to dogs suffering from arthritis pain.
The capsule protects your dog’s joints. The capsule acts like a water balloon. It changes pressure to absorb shock. This helps protect the joints from wear and tear.
Chondroitin helps strengthen your dog’s joints. It also allows for more shock absorption, which leads to less wear on the joints. Research shows green-lipped mussels continue to deliver these joint health benefits even after they are stopped being given to your dog.
Green lipped mussels may take a bit longer to work in dogs than NSAIDs. It’s well worth it when you consider how safer they are.
Green lipped mussels offer more benefits than NSAIDs, but that’s not all.
NSAIDs destroy joint cartilage. It is vital because it provides extra shock-absorbing cushion to long bones. It is also essential for the health of the joint and joint capsule.
You’ll notice the classic signs and symptoms of arthritis when the articular cartilage is damaged. Instead of smooth bony ends they will become jagged. This can cause further damage to the joint, and lead to an inexorable cycle of inflammation and pain.
Unlike NSAIDs, green lipped mussels build healthy cartilage.
There’s another difference between green lipped mussels & NSAIDs. It has to do the special fats in the mussels.
Fatty acids are important for your dog
Early research on green-lipped mussels was disappointing. These results were very poor. The mussels used in the early studies were made from the leftover meat from processing. The mussels were then steam-cooked and used as a supplement, but not a very good one.
However, things changed in the 1980’s when scientists began freezing drying mussels. They took another look. The results were even more impressive this time! These results will be discussed in a moment, but first I want to talk about the importance of the process used to make the mussels.
Scientists initially noticed poor results because mussels did not have enough omega-3 fatty acid after processing.
After scientists began using green-lipped mussels with intact HTML3 fats, they noticed that the mussels were more efficient. Their fatty acids are the key to green lipped mussel anti-inflammatory properties.
The natural fatty acids found in green lipped mussels include EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexanoic acid). There are actually 90 different fatty acid in green lipped mussels. The most common are EPA (eicosapentaenoic) and DHA [docosahexanoic] acids. These two important fatty oils have been shown to reduce inflammation.
EPA and DHA can be found in fish and marine oil… but is not like fish oils. Moreover, green lipped mussels are ocean-friendly. They are a reliable source of fatty acid.
Here’s the kicker…
Some green lipped mussel powders may not contain these fatty acids. Ask for a nutritional analysis. Green lipped mussels must contain at least 6% of the essential fatty acids. These essential fats will make your green lipped mussels virtually inoperable for your dog.
The green lipped mussels are rich in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Freeze drying ensures that the important micronutrients are preserved.
Let’s now see how they work for dogs.
Do Green Lipped Mussels Work In Dogs?
An 2007 study examined how green lipped mussel works in dogs suffering from moderate to severe arthritis.
For 8 weeks, the dogs were fed green lipped mussel. They were then evaluated at 4-8 and 12 weeks. After 10 days, the initial dose of 20 to 49 mg/kg/day was decreased to half.
Average fat content of green lipped mussels in the trial was 5.9 to 9.3%. Remember that green lipped mussels are unlikely to aid in arthritis if they don’t have their fat.
The green lipped mussel gave dogs a significant increase in mobility and pain compared to the placebo. Nearly 3/4 of dogs who received green lipped mussels did not require additional pain medication.
Even though the dogs were stopped receiving green lipped mussels after 8 weeks, the dogs still showed improvements in mobility and pain at 12 weeks.
This is not the first study to show the health benefits of green-lipped mussels for dogs. The study also showed significant improvements in arthritis. The second study was not well controlled, and dogs in the placebo group were also administered nutraceuticals. A third study showed no significant change, but it is not surprising that they used only half the green lipped mussel.
All three studies showed no side effects for dogs who ate green lipped mussel.
How Many Green-Lipped Mussels Should Dogs Have?
Researchers have found a safe and effective dosage for dogs. Give your dog 20 to 49mg/kg green lipped mussels every day. After ten days, decrease the dose to half.
Dogs should be given a weight-based dose of green lipped mussel.
- 0-10 pounds: 200mg
- 11-25 pounds: 400mg
- 26-50 pounds: 800mg
- 51-75 pounds: 1,200mg
- 76+ pounds: 2,400mg
You will also need to have a nutritional analysis done on your dog’s green-lipped mussels. This is because you want at least 6% fat. Your dog won’t be able to benefit from anything less.
Green lipped mussel products may also be found in water bases. These products won’t be as efficient because they lack fatty acids.
The green lipped mussels, also known as green lipped mussels, are great for managing and preventing arthritis in dogs. They take a few days to work, unlike NSAIDs. You can also give your dog full-spectrum hemp (full-spectrum CBD) oil to ease pain. Most dogs will be able to live with the pain for 10 days.
It is time to return to nature and end the unwelcome side effects of drugs. Green lipped mussels, which are great for dogs suffering from joint pain, are a good start.