Mussel Extract Product Shown to Beat Glucosamine In Joint Pain Study

In the randomised study, published in the journal Inflammopharmacology, 38 knee osteoarthritis sufferers took 3,000mg daily of either GlycOmega PLUS green-lipped mussel extract or glucosamine sulphate over 12 weeks.

5 Sep 2012 --- GlycOmega PLUS green-lipped mussel extract from Aroma NZ is more effective than glucosamine at treating joint pain and stiffness, according to the results of a newly published independent clinical study carried out at the University of Queensland in Australia.

In the randomised study, published in the journal Inflammopharmacology, 38 knee osteoarthritis sufferers took 3,000mg daily of either GlycOmega PLUS green-lipped mussel extract or glucosamine sulphate over 12 weeks.

They were asked to record the severity of their knee pain and stiffness at the beginning and end of this period – using the well-established WOMAC and Lequesne indexes. Those taking GlycOmega PLUS, which is rich in soothing glycosaminoglycans and essential fatty acids, recorded consistently lower scores than those taking the glucosamine.

On the WOMAC scale, participants taking GlycOmega PLUS recorded an average reduction in knee pain and stiffness of 18.9 points over 12 weeks, compared with 14.8 points among those taking glucosamine. On the Lequesne scale, meanwhile, GlycOmega PLUS users recorded an average reduction of 4.2 points after 12 weeks compared with 3.3 for those taking glucosamine.

There was good secondary evidence in the study to support this outcome. Participants taking GlycOmega PLUS reported reduced use of analgesic medication during the 12-week period. Those taking glucosamine did not reduce their intake of painkillers as much during the study.

Although the University of Queensland study involved Aroma NZ’s GlycOmega PLUS, it was not sponsored by the New Zealand-based company. Director Ben Winters Jr said: “The excellent results from this latest independent trial show that our green-lipped mussel powder worked more rapidly and provided faster relief than glucosamine for the arthritis sufferers who took part. The study proved that Aroma NZ’s GlycOmega PLUS significantly helped reduce joint pain and increased joint mobility in patients and confirmed that our green-lipped mussel ingredient definitely contains significant anti-inflammatory properties.”

University of Queensland researcher Samantha Coulson, who co-authored the study, confirmed that GlycOmega PLUS “worked quicker and provided better relief” than the glucosamine used in the study.

Aroma NZ plans to continue building evidence supporting the efficacy of GlycOmega PLUS with a view to obtaining approval for a joint health-related claim under the EU’s Nutrition & Health Claims Regulation. The company intends to submit a dossier of supporting evidence in the near future for review by the European Food Safety Authority.

A larger, randomised double-blind clinical study is scheduled to begin soon to establish the effectiveness of a reduced dose of GlycOmega PLUS – 1,500mg daily – versus a placebo. Beginning later this year, and involving 140 participants, it will be the third study involving the ingredient. The first, published in February this year, also confirmed the effectiveness of GlycOmega PLUS in treating knee joint pain and stiffness in 23 patients, who experienced an average 59% reduction in joint pain symptoms during an eight-week trial .

The latest study also investigated the impact of GlycOmega PLUS on gastro-intestinal function. The results indicated that the ingredient reduced the presence in the gut of a subspecies of bacteria known to be associated with pro-inflammatory activity.

Ben Winters Jr added: “Back-to-back successful clinical studies on our green-lipped mussel extract have now confirmed its efficacy, providing strong evidence of how it could help the millions of people globally who suffer with joint pain and stiffness every day of their life.”

Green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) extract efficacy in knee osteoarthritis and improvement in gastrointestinal dysfunction: a pilot study; S Coulson et al; Inammopharmacol DOI 10.1007/s10787-012-0128-6