A Product From The Sea
For a long time the native Maori people of New Zealand have included the New Zealand
Green-Lipped Mussel as a staple part in their diet. This unique mussel is known
scientifically as 'Perna canaliculus'. For centuries, it has provided an excellent
source of protein, vitamins, minerals and extremely valuable Omega-3 fatty acids.
Maoris could be seen with shell-opening knives in
their belts at Auckland's seafood shops before dawn buying their mussels before going
to work.
For more than twenty years freeze-dried concentrated mussel powder has been used
as a natural food supplement for the prevention of pain normally associated with
older individuals? experiencing joint discomfort.
Following fifteen years of international scientific research
by independent scientists from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University,
the goal of identifying the principal components responsible for the extract's high
potency was achieved. The compounds were patented and named LYPRINOL®.
Most mussel powders over the years have shown conflicting results in efficacy studies
due to the oxidation of their non-polar lipids (Lyprinol) which is where their true
activity lies. A patent was granted for the stabilisation of the mussel powder and
also for the extraction process for Lyprinol®. Usage patents
are also in place for its anti-inflammatory efficacy and other exciting applications.
Marine Complex
Lyprinol® is a unique patented marine lipid group comprising
a unique combination of different non-polar lipid groups and Omega-3 polyunsaturated
fatty acids which are extracted from the New Zealand Green-Lipped Mussel. (Perna
Canaliculus) by way of a patanted supercritical fluid extraction process using liquidified
CO2.
Inflammatory Lipids
Many scientists and government institutions around the world agree that the average
western diet is very high in another group of fatty acids, namely Omega-6's. As
a result our cell membranes are unusually rich in precursors associated with inflammatory
processes which can lead to arthritis, psoriasis and asthma, to name a few.
Lipoxygenase
Inflammation Pathway
The anti-inflammatory properties of Lyprinol® have been examined by research scientists at RMIT University,
Adelaide University & the University Of Queensland .
According to this research, Lyprinol® is an effective anti-inflammatory
agent (Dr. Whitehouse). Lyprinol® is an inhibitor of the 5
- lipoxygenase (5 - LOX) pathway and that this inhibition can at least be traced
to the fatty acids in lyprinol.
The unique grouping of Omega fatty acids in Lyprinol® are
potent inhibitors of the lipoxygenase pathway which is where leukotrienes are produced.
This is one reason why it is believed that individuals with diets rich in high potency
EPA's seem to have less joint discomfort as they age
Valuable Lipids (PUFA'S)
In recent years interest has increased regarding lipid compounds which have evolved
as valuable nutritional substances. One group of these are the polyunsaturated fatty
acids (PUFA's). These fatty acids are named by identifying the number of carbon
atoms in their molecule and indicating the number of their double or unsaturated
bonds. For instance scientists call a PUFA with eighteen carbons and three double
bonds as 18:3. Some well known sources of PUFA's are the unsaturated cooking oils
such as sunflower, canola and soybean oil. Fish oils which have been researched
for their ability to reduce cholesterol and improve health of the heart and circulatory
system also contain PUFA's.
Omega-6 & Omega-3 PUFA's
Two basic categories of PUFA's which have received a lot of attention relative to
human nutrition are the Omega 6 and Omega 3 PUFA's. Omega 6 PUFA's are contained
in all vegetable oils. Omega 6's are almost totally made up of linoleic acid (18:2)
and its derivatives. Some of the Omega 6's are considered more valuable, such as
GLA (gamma linolenic acid, 18:3) found in evening primrose and borage oils. Omega
3's are found to a limited degree in some plants but are contained in all fish and
shellfish. For instance, canola and flax oils contain alpha linolenic acid (18:3).
The Omega 3 PUFA's contained in fish are are considered to be five to ten times
more powerful in their biological activity than those found in plants.
It is acknowledged by the medical fraternity around the
world that the western diet provides more Omega-6 PUFA's than Omega 3 PUFA's. This
leads to our cellular membranes becoming rich in Omega 6's such as arachidonic acid.
This acid is a percurser to certain molecules that can cause inflammatory processes
associated with arthritis, psoriasis and asthma to name a few. Many studies have
reported that certain lipids from fish and other marine sources can have a beneficial
effect on our overall health when they should be part of our diet on a routine basis.
High Potency
Independent studies have shown Lyprinol?to be:
100 times more potent than EPA Max??
125 times more potent than the original freeze dried
mussel powder
175 times more potent than evening primrose oil
The unique grouping of fatty acids in Lyprinol? has evolved
as the most potent group of Omega-3 lipids in blocking the 5 - lipoxygenase metabolic
pathway responsible for inflammation in the body.
