WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF
STABILISATION?
STABILISED OR UNSTABILISED:
THE IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE!
In the case of New Zealand green lipped mussel powder, stabilised means that the powder contains active non-polar lipids. Unstabilised 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 stabilise 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 stabilised mussel powder to that of unstabilised mussel powder. (Dr. Whitehouse animal studies)
Note: There is only one producer of stabilised 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 stabilised powder only to Pharmalink International Limited for the development of Lyprinol® for human consumption.
The reputation being built by stabilised mussel powder and by Lyprinol®, may well have consumers expecting the same result from unstabilised 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-stabilised mussel powder and not Lyprinol®.
NOTE: 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" (ie. anti-inflammatory activity), consumers are advised to only consume pure non-polar lipid fractions known as Lyprinol®.
Dr. Michael Whitehouse - "Stabilized mussel extract (Aust.) is vastly superior to the unstabilized mussel extract (NZ/UK)
Dr. Sheila Gibson - "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’."
Study References:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.)