Mussels aid muscles

The study found that taking pre-exercise supplements of the omega-3 PCSO-524, a marine oil lipid derived from the New Zealand green-lipped mussel, has significant positive effects on post-exercise muscle damage.

The pharmaceutical name of the supplement is Lyprinol, or Omega XL in the US, and it has previously been used to effectively reduce the effects of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and exercise-induced asthma. Pharmalink International LTD, which funded the study, develops it.

Lead author Timothy Mickleborough said his initial study of this particular marine oil supplement led him to further test its healing properties on other parts of the body.

It might have positive implications for triathletes if they're doing several different types of exercises, and it could potentially help diminish soreness in multisport, recreational athletes as well, essentially, for anyone who is engaging in unaccustomed exercise,

The study appears in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.