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??.
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.)
Pharmalink International Limited.
Third Floor
31 C-D Wyndham St
Central
Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2537 8088
Fax: (852) 2845 5517
Pharmalink Marketing Australia Pty. Ltd. 19 Taree Street
Burleigh Waters, Queensland
Australia 4220
Stabilized mussel extract (Aust.) is vastly superior
to the unstabilized mussel extract (NZ/UK)
