Arthritis patients, like most dealing with chronic pain and/or inflammation, are always on the lookout for a new and hopefully permanent source of aid. New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel Oil has become increasingly popular in recent years as a safe and effective agent in the fight against joint pain and inflammation.

As the supplement has grown in popularity, many brands and forms of receiving the benefits have taken shape. Two in particular have become the most popular – Green-Lipped Mussel Oil and Green-Lipped Mussel Powder (otherwise known as freeze-dried mussel extract.

The differences between green-lipped mussel oil and powder

The differences between oil and powder come after harvest. Green Lipped Mussel Oil supplements extract the oil and include it in an all-natural state in the pill. In our case, the oil is blended with only two other all-natural ingredients, both of which offer anti-inflammatory benefits of their own: New Zealand Olive Oil  and Vitamin E Oil. That’s it. The processing is very minimal, and the entire production from start to finish is overseen by experienced professionals.

As with any supplement, it is important to carefully read the ingredients of each, as well as the dosage of the active ingredient (in this case, New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel in the form of oil or powdered extract).

In many cases, the farming practices are similar. Green-lipped mussels are farmed in their natural environment off the eastern coast of New Zealand, and examined carefully before package and sale.

There are slight differences between this process and the green-lipped mussel supplements using a powder extract. In this case, the active ingredient goes through freeze-drying before sale. It’s important to remember that the more processing and steps go into the production process, the more health benefits may be lost from the finished product.

We’re not looking to bash any brands here – New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel supplements have shown their benefits through many studies. But some do a better job than others, and we encourage you to do research before making a purchase. 

How to choose a green-lipped mussel oil or freeze-dried extract product

The first thing to check is where the mussels are sourced from. If it’s not a farm in New Zealand, you’ve got a problem on your hands. If you can, identify how long the production process took from harvesting to capsule. Shorter is better in this case.

Quality is king here – mussels that make the cut for GLX3 are strictly monitored and only the best are used in our product. Some companies use the rejects of other companies as a way to save money. We’re proud to note that this will never be the case here.

Another thing to look for is whether or not the shells were heated open. This refers to the practice of applying heat to the closed mussel shells in order to pry them open. In some cases, this can lead to a partial cooking of the mussel and cause it to lose some of its benefits for arthritis and inflammation treatment.

Freeze drying can have the same effect as heat, wherein some of the nutritional value of the product is lost in the vast temperature change.

If stabilizers and other additives (such as chemical solvents) have been used to keep the mussels from oxidizing, it’s hard to call the finished product all natural, isn’t it? Keep an eye out for that as well, another important reason to look at the ingredients of the supplements you consider.

Shorter time between harvest and reaching your door

Green Lipped Mussel Oil is produced in a very short period of time, usually in about three days. This process begins with harvesting mussels from the waters off New Zealand, then it proceeds to a cold-pressing extraction process which releases all the beneficial components found in Green Lipped Mussels. The result is an oil that’s rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and glycosaminoglycans. From there, the oil is packaged and shipped to customers within a few weeks. This speedy production process ensures that you get the freshest possible product.

By contrast, Green Lipped Mussel Powder is produced by dehydrating the entire mussel and then grinding it into a fine powder. This process takes much longer than the cold-pressed method, and therefore, the product you receive at your door is older and more likely to have its components broken down during the process. This makes Green Lipped Mussel Powder less potent than oil, as some of its essential ingredients may be lost in the production process.

Analyzing the cost vs benefits

Green Lipped Mussel Oil provides a much better value for your money than Green Lipped Mussel Powder, because it contains more of the beneficial lipids. Oil is produced by pressing the mussels, which yields a higher concentration of active compounds than powder. Powder is often produced by grinding up whole mussels, which retains some of their beneficial oils but can also include shell fragments or other particles that don’t offer any benefit.

Additionally, oil has a much longer shelf life than powder, which means you can store it for a longer period of time without worrying about it going bad. For those reasons, oil is the preferred form of Green Lipped Mussel supplementation. It provides a much higher concentration of beneficial compounds and is more shelf-stable. This makes it a better option for those looking to get the most out of their supplement.

Green Lipped Mussel Oil also contains fewer fillers than Green Lipped Mussel Powder, and is typically more pure. This makes it easier to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your supplement without any unnecessary additives.

In supplement form, oil is generally of a higher quality than powder and thus more expensive. However, this difference in cost is offset by the higher concentration of beneficial lipids and longer shelf life that Green Lipped Mussel Oil provides. This makes it a better value overall than Green Lipped Mussel Powder. When considering your supplement options, Green Lipped Mussel Oil should be your preferred choice.

Haka Life specializes only in one supplement vs dozens of supplements, so you know you’re getting the best quality product

A company that specializes in one product — such as Haka Life Nutrition with Green Lipped Mussel Oil — is generally to be trusted more than larger companies that produce dozens of supplements. This is because specialists must focus on the quality and efficacy of one product, whereas larger companies may not be able to devote enough attention to each individual supplement.

Haka Life Nutrition is known for providing excellent customer service, as well as being transparent about its manufacturing process. All mussels used in GLX3 are harvested from New Zealand’s east coast and processed nearby within days. The mussels are then cold-pressed to capture the oil, resulting in a product that is high quality and free from contaminants. We oversee the process from start to finish, and each shipment is inspected by regulators and complies with international shipping standards.

Here on our blog we’ve carefully researched and written about the full spectrum of Green-Lipped Mussels and their benefits. The blog can serve as a great jumping off point for your research, and we often include links to studies and outside research for further reference.

When searching for a supplement to help offset joint pain and inflammation, keep in mind that the ultimate goal is your health! Here’s to you, and here’s to the future.