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THE IMPORTANCE OF STABILIZATION
Stabilized or Unstabilized: The Important Difference!
In the case of New Zealand green lipped mussel powder, stabilized
means that the powder contains active non-polar lipids. Unstabilized
means that the powder contains little or no active non-polar lipids,
because they have been destroyed by the process of oxidation.
Over many years the New Zealand green lipped mussel has received
an array of both positive and negative appraisals in relation to
its anti-inflammatory ability. The reason for this inconsistency
is quite simple, so it is important that we clarify it from the
very beginning.
Based on original evidence, it was perceived that the mussel could
be consumed by way of freeze drying the mussel into a powder form.
It was also believed this would provide the same benefits as raw
mussel flesh. This did not prove to be correct and it became quite
obvious that the active components were lost somewhere in the processing.
Research found that the poor results were caused by the oxidation
of the non-polar lipids when they were exposed to air or heat. Nearly
all production houses use heat to open the mussel shell so the meat
can be removed.
Unfortunately the first medical studies were conducted on poor
quality mussel powders. They produced conflicting results and subsequently
damaged the name of the green lipped mussel in the International
medical community.
Once the Australian MacLab Group developed a patented process to
stabilize the non-polar lipid activity before the freeze drying
process took place, it was only then the true value of the mussel
become evident.
From that point on the freeze dried mussel powder was stable so
the essential non-polar lipids could be extracted. The difference
is quite apparent when comparing the efficacy of stabilized mussel
powder to that of unstabilized mussel powder. (Dr. Whitehouse animal
studies)
Note 1: There is only one producer of stabilized mussel powder
in the world, MacLab/Biomex Pty. Ltd. which is part of the Maclab
Group based in Melbourne, Australia. Maclab/Biomex channels this
production of stabilized powder only to Pharmalink International
Limited for the development of Lyprinol® for human consumption.
The reputation being built by stabilized mussel powder and by Lyprinol®,
may well have consumers expecting the same result from unstabilized
mussel products.
The consumer must therefore be protected by being made aware of
the difference between these products.
If a person says "I used New Zealand green lipped mussel and
it did not work for me"....... the chances are he used the
non-stabilized mussel powder and not Lyprinol®.
Note 2: There are no regulations we know of that police the
use of the word "stabilized" on packaging. Some basic
green lipped mussel powders produced by other companies use the
word "stabilized" on their packs but they are referring
to another stabilizing process.
To ensure that the word stabilized means "active non polar
lipids" (i.e. anti-inflammatory activity), consumers are advised
to only consume pure non-polar lipid fractions known as Lyprinol®.
 Stabilized mussel extract (Aust.) is vastly superior to the unstabilized mussel extract (NZ/UK) |
| Dr. Michael Whitehouse |
| Research in Australia and Japan proved that the then currently available freeze-dried powder was unstable and a stabilized process to protect the activity was developed and patented by Biomex Australia. This mussel powder should not be confused with any of the currently available mussel powder products sold in the UK and Europe, including those produced by McFarlane New Zealand under the brand name ‘Seatone’. |
| Dr. Sheila Gibson |
Study References:
- M.W. Whitehouse, T.A. Macrides, N. Kalafatis.
et al: Anti-Inflamatory activity of a lipid fraction (Lyprinol®)
from the New Zealand green lipped mussel. inflammopharmacology
1997: 5:237-246.
- M.W. Whitehouse, M.S. Roberts and P.M. Brooks:
Over the Counter (OTC) oral remedies for arthritis and rheumatism;
How effective are they? inflammopharmacology 1999; 7:89-105.
- S.L.M. Gibson, R.G. Gibson: The treatment
of arthritis with a lipid extract of Perna Canaliculus; A randomised
trial. Complimentary Therapies in Medicine (1998.6,122-126.)
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