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Dietary supplement

Green-Lipped Mussel Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by BodSmith

Capsule Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Major
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

Green-Lipped Mussel is a dietary supplement by BodSmith with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for high cholesterol, digestive complaints, menopausal symptoms.Based on those ingredients, 583 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Alfalfa herb powder. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Green-Lipped Mussel by BodSmith

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 2 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains two active ingredients. Alfalfa herb powder is a traditional plant used in herbal medicine.

Perna canaliculus, also called New Zealand green-lipped mussel, is a shellfish extract. The capsules also contain vegetable cellulose and cinnamon oil as inactive ingredients.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: support connective tissue and joint functions.
  • We looked for evidence on: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Joint mobility, Joint stiffness, Cartilage support.
  • The closest evidence on file: New Zealand Green-lipped Mussel is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Osteoarthritis (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: New Zealand Green-lipped Mussel is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The evidence we hold doesn't establish that either ingredient works for any particular condition. Alfalfa has been studied for diabetes, indigestion, and high cholesterol, and the green-lipped mussel for asthma, ADHD, and exercise-related muscle soreness — but all of those ratings are insufficient evidence to say whether they actually help.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Alfalfa New Zealand Green-lipped Mussel

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 2 of the 2 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 2 of 2.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 2 of 2.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Alfalfa is generally well tolerated in food amounts, but supplements carry real risks for some people. The most common side effects are abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and flatulence.

A rare but serious side effect is a lupus-like syndrome after long-term use. Dermatitis (skin rashes and swelling) has also been reported.

The green-lipped mussel is generally well tolerated, though abdominal pain, acid reflux, diarrhea, flatulence, and nausea can occur. Rare cases of liver inflammation (hepatitis) have been reported with a specific mussel extract.

Alfalfa has estrogenic activity and is best avoided in supplement amounts during pregnancy. Not enough safety data exists for alfalfa during breastfeeding, so it's best to avoid it then too.

The green-lipped mussel doesn't have enough safety data for pregnancy or breastfeeding — talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice. Anyone with a shellfish allergy should not take this product.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Alfalfa New Zealand Green-lipped Mussel

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Alfalfa.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 583 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Check with your pharmacist if you take warfarin (blood thinner) — alfalfa may reduce its effect. Also double-check if you're on photosensitizing drugs, birth control pills, estrogen therapy, immunosuppressants, or antidiabetes medications, where alfalfa has documented Moderate interactions.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

If you take warfarin, photosensitizing drugs, birth control, estrogen therapy, immunosuppressants, or diabetes medications, check with your pharmacist before starting this supplement — the alfalfa it contains may interfere with these drugs. It's not recommended in pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and shellfish-allergic people should skip it.

Most people who take it tolerate it reasonably well, but digestive side effects are common.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Aug 23, 2021.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Green-Lipped Mussel, straight from the product label.

Brand BodSmith
Barcode (UPC) 6029540268453
Net contents 90 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Aug 23, 2021
DSLD ID 252221
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Green-Lipped Mussel by BodSmith, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
45
UPC/BARCODE
6029540268453
IngredientAmount% DV
Alfalfa herb powder200 mg--
Perna canaliculus1000 mg--

Other ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose, Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) oil

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Formula

Perna mussels naturally contain chondroitin -4- and -6- sulfates as well as amino acids, polypeptides, chelated minerals, numerous enzymes, vitamins and nucleic acids (RNA and DNA).

Formulation

Color of this product may vary due to color variations of the natural ingredients.

Precautions

Warning: If pregnant or nursing, consult your healthcare practitioner before taking this product.

Keep out of reach of children.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

FDA Statement of Identity

A New Zealand Green-Lipped Mussel Supplement to support connective tissue and joint functions

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take 2 capsules with each meal for 2 to 4 weeks, then reduce to 1 capsule with each meal.

See for yourself

Green-Lipped Mussel by BodSmith label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Green-Lipped Mussel by BodSmith

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container45 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Alfalfa herb powder

Interacts with
583 drugs
200 mg per serving

Alfalfa is a nutrient-rich legume that people use for high cholesterol, menopause symptoms, and general wellness, but solid human evidence for most of...

Alfalfa herb powder monograph & interactions

Perna canaliculus

No known
interactions
1000 mg per serving

New Zealand green-lipped mussel is a shellfish-derived supplement rich in omega-3 fats that is mostly used for joint pain and arthritis. Some studies...

Perna canaliculus monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose, Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) oil. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Green-Lipped Mussel by BodSmith Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Green-Lipped Mussel?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
583Drugs
2 Major 581 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Green-Lipped Mussel with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Alfalfa herb powder6 drug types · 583 drugs

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, alfalfa might reduce the anticoagulant activity of warfarin.
Alfalfa contains a large amount of vitamin K. This could theoretically interfere with the activity of warfarin.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, alfalfa might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Animal research suggests that alfalfa decreases blood sugar in diabetic mice. Also, in one case report, a diabetic patient experienced hypoglycemia after consuming alfalfa extract. Monitor blood glucose levels closely. Dose adjustments might be necessary.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Contraceptive Drugs

Theoretically, alfalfa might interfere with the activity of contraceptive drugs.
Alfalfa contains coumestrol, a phytoestrogen, and isoflavonoids, which have estrogenic effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Estrogens

Theoretically, alfalfa might interfere with hormone therapy.
Alfalfa contains coumestrol, a phytoestrogen, and isoflavonoids, which have estrogenic effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, alfalfa might decrease the efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy.
In vitro research and human case reports suggest that alfalfa may have immunostimulant effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Photosensitizing Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of alfalfa with photosensitizing drugs might have additive effects.
Animal research suggests that excessive doses of alfalfa may increase photosensitivity, possibly due to its chlorophyll content. It is unclear if this effect would be clinically relevant in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Green-Lipped Mussel, from the product label.

BodSmith

See all BodSmith products
Name
BodSmith
Street Address
P.O. Box 513
City
Litchfield
State
MI
ZipCode
49252
Web Address
www.bodsmith.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Green-Lipped Mussel by BodSmith: Common Questions

Does Green-Lipped Mussel by BodSmith interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Green-Lipped Mussel has a known interaction with 583 medications, including 2 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Green-Lipped Mussel contains 2 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this if I have a shellfish allergy?
No. This product contains New Zealand green-lipped mussel, which is a shellfish — it could trigger an allergic reaction.
Is it safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
The alfalfa in this product is best avoided during pregnancy because it has estrogenic activity. Not enough safety data exists for either ingredient during breastfeeding — talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you.
What are the most common side effects?
Abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and gas are the most common. A small number of users have reported skin rashes or swelling. Most people tolerate the supplement reasonably well, though digestive upset is fairly frequent in the first week.
Does this actually work for anything?
The evidence we hold shows insufficient data to say whether alfalfa or green-lipped mussel work for any specific condition. Both have been studied for various uses — diabetes, cholesterol, asthma, and others — but the evidence isn't strong enough yet to confirm they help.
What is alfalfa powder, and why is it in here?
Alfalfa is a plant used traditionally in herbal medicine. It's included in this formula because some people believe it offers nutritional or wellness benefits, though reliable evidence for specific health claims is lacking.
Can I take this with my birth control?
Alfalfa contains compounds with hormone-like activity that might theoretically interfere with contraceptive effectiveness. Run it by your pharmacist before starting to make sure it's safe alongside your specific pill.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Green-Lipped Mussel is safe with your meds?

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Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Green-Lipped Mussel label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Green-Lipped Mussel's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 44 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Alfalfa 32 references
  1. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
  2. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  3. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  4. Kurzer MS, Xu X. Dietary phytoestrogens. Annu Rev Nutr 1997;17:353-81. PubMed
  5. Farber JM, Carter AO, Varughese PV, et al. Listeriosis traced to the consumption of alfalfa tablets and soft cheese [Letter to the Editor]. N Engl J Med 1990;322:338. PubMed
  6. Molgaard J, von Schenck H, Olsson AG. Alfalfa seeds lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B concentrations in patients with type II hyperlipoproteinemia. Atherosclerosis 1987;65:173-9. PubMed
  7. Light TD, Light JA. Acute renal transplant rejection possibly related to herbal medications. Am J Transplant 2003;3:1608-9. PubMed
  8. Prete PE. The mechanism of action of L-canavanine in inducing autoimmune phenomena. Arthritis Rheum 1985;28:1198-200. PubMed
  9. Alcocer-Varela J, Iglesias A, Llorente L, Alarcon-Segovia D. Effects of L-canavanine on T cells may explain the induction of systemic lupus erythematosus by alfalfa. Arthritis Rheum 1985;28:52-7. PubMed
  10. Roberts JL, Hayashi JA. Exacerbation of SLE associated with alfalfa ingestion. N Engl J Med 1983;308:1361. DOI
  11. Feingold, R. M. Should we fear "health foods"? Arch Intern Med 7-12-1999;159(13):1502. PubMed
  12. Taormina, P. J., Beuchat, L. R., and Slutsker, L. Infections associated with eating seed sprouts: an international concern. Emerg.Infect.Dis 1999;5(5):626-634. PubMed
  13. Backer, H. D., Mohle-Boetani, J. C., Werner, S. B., Abbott, S. L., Farrar, J., and Vugia, D. J. High incidence of extra-intestinal infections in a Salmonella Havana outbreak associated with alfalfa sprouts. Public Health Rep. 2000;115(4):339-345. PubMed
  14. Mohle-Boetani J, Werner B, Polumbo M, and et al. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Alfalfa sprouts-- Arizona, California, Colorado, and New Mexico, February-April, 2001. JAMA 2-6-2002;287(5):581-582.
  15. Howard, M. B. and Hutcheson, S. W. Growth dynamics of Salmonella enterica strains on alfalfa sprouts and in waste seed irrigation water. Appl.Environ.Microbiol. 2003;69(1):548-553.
  16. Winthrop, K. L., Palumbo, M. S., Farrar, J. A., Mohle-Boetani, J. C., Abbott, S., Beatty, M. E., Inami, G., and Werner, S. B. Alfalfa sprouts and Salmonella Kottbus infection: a multistate outbreak following inadequate seed disinfection with heat and chl
  17. Strapp, C. M., Shearer, A. E., and Joerger, R. D. Survey of retail alfalfa sprouts and mushrooms for the presence of Escherichia coil O157:H7, Salmonella, and Listeria with BAX, and evaluation of this polymerase chain reaction-based system with experimen
  18. Akaogi, J., Barker, T., Kuroda, Y., Nacionales, D. C., Yamasaki, Y., Stevens, B. R., Reeves, W. H., and Satoh, M. Role of non-protein amino acid L-canavanine in autoimmunity. Autoimmun.Rev 2006;5(6):429-435. PubMed
  19. Burden and causes of foodborne disease in Australia: Annual report of the OzFoodNet network, 2005. Commun.Dis Intell. 2006;30(3):278-300.
  20. Shemesh, M., Lindner, H. R., and Ayalon, N. Affinity of rabbit uterine oestradiol receptor for phyto-oestrogens and its use in a competitive protein-binding radioassay for plasma coumestrol. J Reprod.Fertil. 1972;29(1):1-9. PubMed
  21. Elakovich, S. D. and Hampton, J. M. Analysis of coumestrol, a phytoestrogen, in alfalfa tablets sold for human consumption. J Agric.Food Chem. 1984;32(1):173-175. PubMed
  22. Malinow, M. R., Bardana, E. J., Jr., Pirofsky, B., Craig, S., and McLaughlin, P. Systemic lupus erythematosus-like syndrome in monkeys fed alfalfa sprouts: role of a nonprotein amino acid. Science 4-23-1982;216(4544):415-417. PubMed
  23. Malinow, M. R., McLaughlin, P., and Stafford, C. Alfalfa seeds: effects on cholesterol metabolism. Experientia 5-15-1980;36(5):562-564. PubMed
  24. Farnsworth, N. R. Alfalfa pills and autoimmune diseases. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995;62(5):1026-1028. DOI
  25. Herbert, V. and Kasdan, T. S. Alfalfa, vitamin E, and autoimmune disorders. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;60(4):639-640.
  26. Mahon, B. E., Ponka, A., Hall, W. N., Komatsu, K., Dietrich, S. E., Siitonen, A., Cage, G., Hayes, P. S., Lambert-Fair, M. A., Bean, N. H., Griffin, P. M., and Slutsker, L. An international outbreak of Salmonella infections caused by alfalfa sprouts grow
  27. Gray, A. M. and Flatt, P. R. Pancreatic and extra-pancreatic effects of the traditional anti- diabetic plant, Medicago sativa (lucerne). Br J Nutr. 1997;78(2):325-334.
  28. Van Beneden, C. A., Keene, W. E., Strang, R. A., Werker, D. H., King, A. S., Mahon, B., Hedberg, K., Bell, A., Kelly, M. T., Balan, V. K., Mac Kenzie, W. R., and Fleming, D. Multinational outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype Newport infections due to
  29. Rubenstein AH, Levin NW, and Elliott GA. Manganese-induced hypoglycemia. Lancet 1962;1348-1351.
  30. Kaufman W. Alfalfa seed dermatitis. JAMA 1954;155(12):1058-1059. PubMed
  31. Ponka A, Andersson Y, Siitonen A, and et al. Salmonella in alfalfa sprouts. Lancet 1995;345:462-463. PubMed
  32. Puschner B, Chen X, Read D, Affolter VK. Alfalfa hay induced primary photosensitization in horses. Vet J. 2016 May;211:32-8. PubMed

See these in context on the Alfalfa monograph →

New Zealand Green-lipped Mussel 12 references
  1. Miller T, Wu H. In vivo evidence for prostaglandin inhibitory activity in New Zealand green-lipped mussel extract. N Z Med J 1984;97:355-7.
  2. Gibson SLM, Gibson RG. The treatment of arthritis with a lipid extract of Perna canaliculus: a randomised trial. Complement Ther Med 1998;6:122-6.
  3. Gibson RG, Gibson SL, Conway V, Chappell D. Perna canaliculus in the treatment of arthritis. Practitioner 1980;224:955-60.
  4. Fabrin, B. [Possible toxic hepatitis after intake of an alternative preparation]. Ugeskr.Laeger 6-13-1988;150(24):1474-1475.
  5. Gibson, R. G. and Gibson, S. L. Green-lipped mussel extract in arthritis. Lancet 2-21-1981;1(8217):439. PubMed
  6. Ahern, M. J., Milazzo, S. C., and Dymock, R. Granulomatous hepatitis and Seatone. Med J Aust 8-9-1980;2(3):151-152. PubMed
  7. Croft, J. E. Granulomatous hepatitis and Seatone. Med J Aust 10-4-1980;2(7):401-402. PubMed
  8. Lau, S., Chiu, P. K., Chu, E. M. Y., Cheng, I. Y. W., Tang, W. M., Man, R. Y. K., and Halpern, G. M. Treatment of knee osteoarthritis with Lyprinol, lipid extract of the green-lipped mussel - a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Progress in Nutrition
  9. Gruenwald, J., Graubaum, H., Hansen, K., and Grube, B. Efficacy and tolerability of a combination of LYPRINOL and high concentrations of EPA and DHA in inflammatory rheumatoid disorders... eicosapentaenoic acid... decosahexaenoid acid. Advances in Therap PubMed
  10. Coulson S, Vecchio P, Gramotnev H, Vitetta L. Green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) extract efficacy in knee osteoarthritis and improvement in gastrointestinal dysfunction: a pilot study. Inflammopharmacology 2012;20:71-6. PubMed
  11. Sukumaran S, Pittman KB, Patterson WK, et al. A phase I study to determine the safety, tolerability and maximum tolerated dose of green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) lipid extract, in patients with advanced prostate and breast cancer. Ann Oncol 2010;2 PubMed
  12. Lello J, Liang A, Robinson E, et al. Treatment of children's asthma with a lipid extract of the new Zealand green lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) (Lyprinol®)-A double blind, randomized controlled trial in children with moderate to serve chronic obstruct

See these in context on the New Zealand Green-lipped Mussel monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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