New Zealand Green-lipped Mussel
OTHER NAME(S): greenshell mussel (GSM), kuku, kutai, New Zealand green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus
Overview
The New Zealand green-lipped mussel is a type of mollusk that lives on the coasts of New Zealand. It contains many different nutrients, including proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Dietary supplements that contain this mussel are used for various health purposes, but their actual contents and benefits are not well defined. In some people, they may cause an upset stomach. Before taking New Zealand green-lipped mussel supplements, tell your health care provider about any medicines or supplements you may be using and all of your health conditions, especially if you have a shellfish allergy.
Uses
What is the New Zealand green-lipped mussel used for?
The New Zealand green-lipped mussel is used for various reasons, although its benefits for any use are not well defined. Some common reasons why people use the New Zealand green-lipped mussel include the following.
- Asthma
- Osteoarthritis
- To improve physical performance during exercise
Note: The FDA has not reviewed the New Zealand green-lipped mussel for safety and effectiveness, and it is not approved by the FDA. Learn more about dietary supplements here.
How does the New Zealand green-lipped mussel work (mechanism of action)?
The New Zealand green-lipped mussel is a type of mollusk that lives on the coasts of New Zealand. As the name implies, it is known for the unique green coloring found on the edge of its shell. Similar to other mussels, the New Zealand green-lipped mussel is commonly eaten as food. However, this specific mussel is also used to make dietary supplements.
Dietary supplements that contain the New Zealand green-lipped mussel most often contain either the mussel meat or extracts from the meat. For example, many products that contain the greenshell mussel (GSM) powder are made from flash-dried meat. On the other hand, products that contain the New Zealand green-lipped mussel oil contain only the oil obtained from the mussel meat.
Mussel meat contains vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fats. Although both the flash-dried meat and the oil contain fatty acids, it is not clear if the oil contains the same vitamins and minerals as the meat. The flash-dried meat also contains glucosamine and chondroitin. These substances are naturally present in your cartilage, which acts like a cushion in your joints. It is not clear if mussel oil contains these substances.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which are omega-3 fatty acids, are the most common fats in mussel meat. These fats, which are also found in fish oil, are important to many cells in your body, especially your eyes and brain. They also give you calories for energy and help with many functions in your heart, blood vessels, lungs, and immune system. In the U.S., most people get enough omega-3 fatty acids from their diet, including from fish and some fortified foods. For example, most people can get enough DHA and EPA by eating two to three servings of low-mercury fish each week.
The fatty acids, vitamins, and other substances found in the New Zealand green-lipped mussel may help reduce swelling (inflammation) in the body. As a result, supplements containing this mussel have become popular for various anti-inflammatory uses, including osteoarthritis, asthma, and exercise. However, any benefits of these supplements are not well defined. It is unclear whether New Zealand green-lipped mussel supplements contain enough of any substance to have a meaningful effect in the body.
How should I store the New Zealand green-lipped mussel?
You should store the New Zealand green-lipped mussel according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of the New Zealand green-lipped mussel?
The most common side effect of the New Zealand green-lipped mussel is an upset stomach. However, side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.
There may be other side effects of the New Zealand green-lipped mussel that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of the New Zealand green-lipped mussel?
While less common, the most serious side effects of the New Zealand green-lipped mussel are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. The New Zealand green-lipped mussel may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking the New Zealand green-lipped mussel and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching or skin rash
- Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Precautions
Who should not use the New Zealand green-lipped mussel?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take the New Zealand green-lipped mussel.
- BioLex
- Greenshell mussel (GSM)
- Lyprinol
- New Zealand green-lipped mussel
- PCSO-524
- Perna canaliculus
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific New Zealand green-lipped mussel products they stock.
What should I know about the New Zealand green-lipped mussel before using it?
The New Zealand green-lipped mussel is eaten as food and is also available as a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.
Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.
Keep the New Zealand green-lipped mussel out of the reach of children.
New Zealand green-lipped mussels naturally contain many different chemicals and nutrients. The amount of each nutrient in a specific New Zealand green-lipped mussel product can change for many reasons, including the area where the mussel lived, the weather conditions at the time, and the way that the mussel was harvested and processed. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.
Dietary supplements that contain the New Zealand green-lipped mussel may contain different proprietary forms of this ingredient. Each unique form of the New Zealand green-lipped mussel may contain different chemicals and nutrients. If you switch between ingredients with different names, you may have different effects or side effects. Read the product label carefully to understand which ingredients it contains.
The FDA has not tested New Zealand green-lipped mussel products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.
What should I tell my health care provider before using the New Zealand green-lipped mussel?
Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if the New Zealand green-lipped mussel is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Shellfish Allergy.The New Zealand green-lipped mussel is a mollusk, which is a type of shellfish. If you are allergic to other mollusks, such as clams and oysters, you may also be allergic to mussels. An allergy to any other type of shellfish (crustacean), such as shrimp, crab, or scallops, may also increase your risk for an allergic reaction to mussels. Before taking products that contain the New Zealand green-lipped mussel, tell your health care provider if you are allergic or think that you may be allergic to any type of shellfish.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how the New Zealand green-lipped mussel could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if the New Zealand green-lipped mussel passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does the New Zealand green-lipped mussel interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between the New Zealand green-lipped mussel and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect the New Zealand green-lipped mussel.
Does the New Zealand green-lipped mussel interact with medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
The interactions between the New Zealand green-lipped mussel and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, research on drug interactions with the New Zealand green-lipped mussel is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking the New Zealand green-lipped mussel with any medicines.
Dosing
What should I do if I accidentally use too much New Zealand green-lipped mussel?
If you or someone else has used too much New Zealand green-lipped mussel, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
New Zealand green-lipped mussel supplements are available in various forms and doses. Read the product label closely and speak to a health care provider about how to take the New Zealand green-lipped mussel safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.
References
- BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine: “A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness and safety of a novel green-lipped mussel extract -BioLex® -for managing pain in moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.”
- European Respiratory Journal: “Treatment of asthma with lipid extract of New Zealand green-lipped mussel: a randomised clinical trial.”
- Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: “Lyprinol—is it a useful anti-inflammatory agent?”
- Inflammopharmacology: “Green‑lipped (greenshell™) mussel (Perna canaliculus) extract supplementation in treatment of osteoarthritis: a systematic review.”
- International Journal of Exercise Science: The effects of PCSO-524®, a patented marine oil lipid derived from the New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel (Perna canaliculus), on pulmonary and respiratory muscle function in non-asthmatic elite runners.”
- Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition: “The effects PCSO-524®, a patented marine oil lipid and omega-3 PUFA blend derived from the New Zealand green lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus), on indirect markers of muscle damage and inflammation after muscle damaging exercise in untrained men: a randomized, placebo controlled trial.”
- Journal of Nutritional Science: “Effect of green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) supplementation on faecal microbiota, body composition and iron status markers in overweight and obese postmenopausal women: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.”
- Nutrients: “The efficacy of New Zealand Greenshell™ mussel powder supplementation in supporting muscle recovery following eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage in healthy, untrained adult males.”
- Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine: “Marine oil dietary supplementation reduces delayed onset muscle soreness after a 30 km run.”
- Psychopharmacology: “Reduced inattention and hyperactivity and improved cognition after marine oil extract (PCSO-524®) supplementation in children and adolescents with clinical and subclinical symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.”