The all-natural food supplement Lyprinol comes with a variety of benefits. Mainly it is taken to relieve inflammatory pains that come with conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but it also aids in blood circulation, improves metabolic processes, and prevents obesity. A great deal of the benefits of this supplement is all thanks to a shellfish called perna canaliculus.

Perna canaliculus is known by a variety of names - perna, greenback or green-lipped mussels are among them. This particular breed of shellfish is protected by the New Zealand, and has been patented under the name "NZ Greenshell Mussels." Before Lyprinol takes on its distinctive gold-colored gelatin capsule form, it is mostly an extract of these mussels.

The New Zealand greenshell mussel is an edible shellfish found off the shores of New Zealand. The coasts of Marlborough Sound, Stewart Island and Coromandel are among its natural habitats. However, mussel farms are also found all over the country, notable among which is the one in the Maritime National Park near Nelson. Farms generally create a fully organic and hormone-free environment in which the mussels thrive naturally. After all, it was their natural development that led the world to notice NZ greenshell mussels in the first place.

It was noticed by medical professionals sometime in the 1960s that native Maoris living in the coastline of New Zealand did not seem to be susceptible to arthritis. This led specialists to examine their daily routines, and discover the greenshell mussels were a large part of their diet.

Arthritis, incidentally, is the number one cause of disability among people of the age of 60 in the United States, and a perennial cause of concern all over the world. But when the New Zealand Fishing Industry Board presented the perna canaliculus for international study during the 60's, it was not to learn if it could become a cure for arthritis - it was to test if there was anything in it that could cure cancer. The studies showed that the mussel extract did anything for cancer. However, it was there that it was learned that the extract made a significant impact on inflammatory conditions. The studies led to the development of Lyprinol, now a popular dietary supplement.

The desirability of Lyprinol relies on the benefits provided by its lipid groups and omega-3 content. Omega-3 is a blanket term for polyunsaturated fatty acids that perform various important functions in promoting the body's well-being. Omega-3 acids are known to help in alleviating heart conditions, improving blood circulation, and preventing obesity. They are essential to the proper physical development of children, and are required to regulate metabolism in adult bodies.

Certain omega-3 acids, such as stearidonic acid or SDA, also inhibit the production of enzymes which cause inflammations specifically in the joints. Moreover, green-lipped mussel extract products typically come with chondroitin sulphate, which is the material of which our bone and cartilages is made. Adding more chondroitin to the body helps make joints more flexible, stronger and more lubricated.

Another condition that green-lipped mussel extracts are said to be effective against is asthma. Asthma is another inflammatory disorder, though it is different from arthritis. Due to stress, allergenic substances or other factors, the tubes carrying air in and out of the lungs become irritated, and become enflamed. This reaction is contained by administering drugs which have anti-inflammatory effects, such as corticosteroids. Medical scientists have hypothesized that since greenshell mussel extract has proven to work against arthritis, it would also be effective against asthma. This theory is still being tested, but so far, clinical testing has yielded positive results.

If properly prepared, perna canaliculus extracts may be 50 to 200 times more active within the body than fish oil. Moreover, they do not affect platelet aggregation and cause blood thinning, the way fish oil does. Greenback mussel extracts are considered generally safe for adult use, especially in cases where the adult may not take supplements that thin the blood or aggravate gastrointestinal conditions. Many people take aspirin, or similar NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to relieve the pains caused by arthritis. But if they have hyperacidity or stomach ulcers, or have just undergone surgery in the stomach area, taking heavy and regular doses of NSAIDs may worsen their condition. In such cases, perna canaliculus extracts may be especially helpful.