Green Lipped Mussel Extract (GLME) has now been subjected to over thirty years of quality scientific research. It has been shown in laboratory and clinical trials, involving both human and animal subjects, to be effective in treating both the rheumatoid and osteo forms of arthritis. How it does so is an interesting story and is an indication of the powers of nature, in particular that occurring in our seas, to provide remedies for most ailments.

GLME performs two distinct anti-inflammatory activities. The principal anti-inflammatory activity is due to a carbohydrate complex that has the ability to inhibit the emigration of neutrophils from the blood vessels. What this means, in everyday terms, is that soldier cells (neutrophils) are inhibited from attacking our own cells when an inflammatory stimulus is present. Preventing inflammation with its associated pain and reduced mobility symptoms is a primary requirement for an arthritis treatment.

The second anti-inflammatory activity is due to the effect of GLME's natural content of long chain fatty acids on cyclo-oxygenase activities. These cyclo-oxygenase (COX) compounds are enzymes which the body uses to biosynthesize chemicals called prostaglandins. There are two forms of these COX enzymes. COX 1 is constitutive and a natural component of normal tissue. It performs important functions in our body. The other form (COX 2) is induced when an inflammatory state such as arthritis is present and it produces pro-inflammatory prostaglandins. It is therefore desirable to selectively inhibit the COX-2 enzymic activity.

Anti-inflammatory drugs tend to inhibit both COX 1 and COX 2 activity thus inhibiting the production of the prostaglandins, which are needed for the protection of the stomach lining, helping kidney function and also some blood characteristics. GLME has the very desirable, and most important benefit, of selectively inhibiting just the COX 2 activity.

Another valuable feature of the product is that it has been found to have natural gastro-protective properties. This means that, not only does it not damage the delicate stomach lining, it actually provides a protective function for it. Thus the product is able to relieve the inflammatory symptoms associated with arthritic diseases whilst protecting the stomach from the damaging effect of some pain-killers should a person need to be taking these at the same time.

GLME has a natural content of glycosaminoglycans. This is the name for a group of polysaccharides which includes chondroitin sulphate, dermatan sulphate, hyaluronic acid etc. These glycosaminoglycans are used by the body for the biosynthesis of compounds called proteoglycans. The proteoglycans have a very strong affinity for water molecules in the joints, to which they bind, and form very large, slippery, space filling molecules. The function of these large combination molecules is to act as shock absorbers and also lubricants in the joints. Thus, GLME has anti-inflammatory activity that is necessary to relieve the inflammatory component coupled with chondro-protective activity which relieves the physical component of osteo arthritis.

In young people and those not affected by arthritis, the rate of cartilage degeneration in the joints is equaled by that of regeneration. In the older person and in arthritic disease states this balance is upset leading to a reduction in the padding and lubrication of the joints. Certain cytokine induced enzyme activity is known to accelerate the breakdown of cartilage process and the inhibition of this enzymic activity is thus very desirable. Seatone has been shown in laboratory studies to inhibit the cytokine activity that would lead to the production of cells responsible for this process.

To summarize, we have in GLME, one marine natural product that contains the components that the body requires to effectively relieve the symptoms of both rheumatoid and osteo arthritis without inducing the classical adverse side effects associated with many drug therapies. An excellent example of the therapeutic potential of the seas.