Neurogenol Professional, 60 Softgels

An ingredient made by powdering, or extracting the lipids from, the green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus), farmed only in New Zealand coastal waters. The lipid extract (oil) contains not only EPA and DHA but also lipids characteristic of this mussel, such as eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA), furan fatty acids and sterols.

Green-lipped mussel lipids supply omega-3 fatty acids to cell membranes, while characteristic components such as ETA have been studied for modulating both the cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) pathways, contributing to the balance of inflammatory mediator production. The whole powder also contains chondroitin-type glycosaminoglycans, proteins and minerals. Human studies indicate that the form taken (oil, powder, whole mussel) affects how quickly and how much EPA and DHA reach the blood. This lipid mediator modulation forms the background for research on joint comfort and post-exercise recovery markers.

1. A systematic review that examined 9 clinical trials in adults with joint discomfort and pooled 5 of them found that green-lipped mussel extract (lipid extract or whole powder) showed a moderate effect size on the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain (−0.46) and was generally well tolerated.
2. In a randomised, placebo-controlled study of 32 men with little exercise experience, those who took 1,200 mg/day of a green-lipped mussel lipid blend (PCSO-524) for 26 days before downhill running showed smaller rises in muscle damage markers (CK, myoglobin, troponin I) and TNF-α, and less delayed-onset muscle soreness, than the placebo group.
3. A randomised crossover study of 8 healthy men comparing oil, powder, food ingredient and whole mussel forms found that the oil reached peak blood omega-3 levels fastest (about 5 hours), while DHA exposure was similar across all four forms.
4. In a 12-week double-blind study of 80 adults with moderate or greater hip or knee joint discomfort, there was no difference in pain scores versus placebo, but an improvement was observed in joint stiffness scores.

1. meta-analysisAbshirini M et al. Green-lipped (greenshell™) mussel (Perna canaliculus) extract supplementation in treatment of osteoarthritis: a systematic review. Inflammopharmacology. 2021. PMID 33738701
2. RCTMickleborough TD et al. The effects PCSO-524®, a patented marine oil lipid and omega-3 PUFA blend derived from the New Zealand green lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus), on indirect markers of muscle damage and inflammation after muscle damaging exercise in untrained men: a randomized, placebo controlled trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015. PMID 25722660
3. RCTMiller MR et al. Bioavailability of Orally Administered Active Lipid Compounds from four Different Greenshell™ Mussel Formats. Mar Drugs. 2020. PMID 33114125
4. RCTStebbings S et al. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness and safety of a novel green-lipped mussel extract -BioLex® -for managing pain in moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017. PMID 28830491

EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are long-chain omega-3 fatty acids found mainly in the oil of oily fish. The rTG (re-esterified triglyceride) form takes fatty acids that were converted to the ethyl ester (EE) form during concentration and re-binds them to glycerol, restoring the same triglyceride structure as natural fish oil.

After intake, EPA and DHA are incorporated into the phospholipids of red blood cells and other cell membranes, influencing membrane fluidity and the cell signalling environment. In cell membranes, they compete with arachidonic acid (omega-6), shifting the ratio of inflammatory eicosanoids produced, and serve as precursors to 'specialised pro-resolving mediators' (SPMs) such as resolvins, protectins and maresins. In the liver, they are known to lower triglyceride synthesis (VLDL production), and DHA is a major fatty acid in brain and retinal cell membranes. Absorption depends on the bound form, and the rTG form has been reported to raise blood EPA and DHA more than the EE form.

1. A dose-response meta-analysis of 71 randomised controlled studies (4,973 participants) in adults observed changes of about 2.6 mmHg in systolic and about 1.6–1.8 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure with 2–3 g/day of EPA+DHA, identifying this range as the most efficient intake.
2. In a comparative study in which 72 adults took about 3.3 g of EPA+DHA in various forms for 2 weeks, absorption relative to natural fish oil was 124% for the rTG form and 73% for the ethyl ester form.
3. In a double-blind randomised study of 60 healthy young adults lasting more than 16 weeks, the product group with 95% or more rTG showed greater increases in red blood cell membrane EPA and DHA ratios and the EPA:arachidonic acid ratio than the group with less than 70%.
4. A review summarised that human studies have observed increased blood concentrations of some pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) with higher EPA and DHA intake.

1. meta-analysisZhang X et al. Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Intake and Blood Pressure: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Am Heart Assoc. 2022. PMID 35647665
2. clinical studyDyerberg J et al. Bioavailability of marine n-3 fatty acid formulations. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2010. PMID 20638827
3. RCTMinton ST et al. Comparative membrane incorporation of omega-3 fish oil triglyceride preparations differing by degree of re-esterification: A sixteen-week randomized intervention trial. PLoS One. 2023. PMID 36706088
4. reviewCalder PC et al. Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid derived specialised pro-resolving mediators: Concentrations in humans and the effects of age, sex, disease and increased omega-3 fatty acid intake. Biochimie. 2020. PMID 32860894

A plant polyphenol ingredient made by water extraction of the bark of New Zealand radiata pine (Pinus radiata). On a dry powder basis it contains over 80% proanthocyanidins, along with taxifolin (1–2%) and other flavonoids and phenolic acids.

Its main constituents, proanthocyanidins (oligomers of linked catechin and epicatechin units), are known to scavenge free radicals directly and regenerate vitamin C, supporting the body's antioxidant network. Studies have looked at its relationship to the nitric oxide (NO) production environment in vascular endothelial cells, and cell experiments observed reduced expression of endothelial adhesion molecules and reduced monocyte migration in response to TNF-α stimulation. Test-tube studies have also reported lowered activity of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes (α-amylase, α-glucosidase), so its relationship to post-meal metabolic responses is being studied. These antioxidant and vascular mechanisms form the background for research on blood flow to the brain and cognitive function markers.

1. In a 5-week double-blind controlled study of 42 men aged 50–65 with a body mass index of 25 or more, the Enzogenol + vitamin C group showed faster response times on spatial working memory and immediate recognition tasks, while the vitamin C-only group showed no change. There were no changes in blood safety markers.
2. In a study randomising 44 adult smokers to Enzogenol 480 mg + vitamin C or vitamin C alone for 12 weeks, vascular dilation response (FMD) improved similarly in both groups, but the protein oxidation marker (protein carbonyl) was significantly lower in the Enzogenol group, and lower fibrinogen levels were observed in heavier smokers.
3. In a crossover study in which 25 healthy adults took placebo and Enzogenol 50 mg and 400 mg before oral glucose tolerance tests, people with a single-peak glucose curve showed a lower post-meal incremental glucose area (iAUC) and lower peak glucose than with placebo.
4. Composition and toxicity studies of the ingredient reported no abnormal findings with repeated dosing in animals, and no adverse changes in liver or kidney function or haematological markers in humans taking 480 mg/day for 6 months or 960 mg/day for 5 weeks.

1. RCTPipingas A et al. Improved cognitive performance after dietary supplementation with a Pinus radiata bark extract formulation. Phytother Res. 2008. PMID 18683195
2. RCTYoung JM et al. Comparative effects of enzogenol and vitamin C supplementation versus vitamin C alone on endothelial function and biochemical markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in chronic smokers. Free Radic Res. 2006. PMID 16298763
3. clinical studyLim WXJ et al. An Acute, Placebo-Controlled, Single-Blind, Crossover, Dose-Response, Exploratory Study to Assess the Effects of New Zealand Pine Bark Extract (Enzogenol(®)) on Glycaemic Responses in Healthy Participants. Nutrients. 2020. PMID 32075228
4. clinical studyFrevel MA et al. Production, composition and toxicology studies of Enzogenol® Pinus radiata bark extract. Food Chem Toxicol. 2012. PMID 22982471