John Croft is a marine scientist currently researching the nutritional and therapeutic properties of substances derived from the sea - in particular those of the extract from the extraordinary green lipped mussel. The author wishes it to be understood that the information in his book relates only to the New Zealand mussel extract which has been the subject of all published research. No responsibility is accepted for any imitation products which may be claimed to be the same material.

Acknowledgement: BiolaneTM Green Lipped Mussel Extract from Healtheries of New Zealand.

"Critics may say that the inclusion of personal experiences is characteristic of quackery. They will point out that the personal experiences of people suffering or being treated for disorders are too subjective for them to have value in assessment of the results of the treatment and that only strictly objective assessments, devoid of any emotional content can accurately assess the progress of the disease or its treatment.

If the experiences are genuine, are sufficient in number and cover a reasonable duration of time with diversity of origin - there can be absolutely no question of quackery being involved.
Infact, such experiences represent a very valuable source of medical information, which in some instances is more relevant than that which could be gained in a short-term clinical trial.

The following experiences are from people in countries spanning the whole world. Some of the writers have themselves been medical doctors and specialists. These testimonials cover a period of 20 years and fall under the following three categories:

• Osteo-Arthritis



• Rheumatoid Arthritis



• Spondylitis

These are just small examples of written communications. Naturally there is a considerable amount of verbal communication with telephone calls from USA, Europe and Canada.
The similarity in the reports is so striking that it is considered to be a valid indication of the effectiveness of the mussel extract product.

It is now left to the reader to decide whether these personal experiences are evidence of the value of the product or is both scientifically invalid and indicative of quackery."

A lady from Italy indicates the joy and relief from simply being able to lead a normal life without constant pain.

"I begin to feel like an agent in Rome as so many people have remarked on my wonderful improvement and want to try the mussel extract themselves that I am constantly getting for someone.

I count myself one of the very lucky ones -not only am I restored to mobility, I am free of constant pain that was really almost intolerable. I was taking painkilling drugs three times per day to alleviate the distress but since I finished my first course of mussel extract, I have not needed them. I have been able to get in and out of a chair without help, and have even tried knitting again.

I took a second course, following on the first bottle and now need the courage to stop taking them for a time to judge the long-term effects. The results for me are incredible and almost unbelievable. The best part is that I do not need any drugs whatever now. I have really gone quite mad and am doing all sorts of things, which have been impossible for sometime. Though I have to admit to being tired and full of aches I still do not have that terrible pain. There is a huge difference in aches and real pain. I only hope that other people will benefit as I have done. I am truly grateful and tell anyone who wants to listen to me just what happened".

A lady from Christchurch, New Zealand ceased taking the mussel extract which lead to the reoccurrence of her symptoms. However, the symptoms disappeared when she restarted the mussel extract. This suggests that her condition was responding to the product.

"I thought I would pen to paper and let you know that I have been taking the mussel extract now for approximately 9 years. At first I started taking it for my arthritis, which was at that time affecting my hips and found complete relief. However, I also have dermatitis or eczema very bad since birth and many years had to be wrapped in bandages

As I grew older my skin always looked red and chapped, so on taking the mussel extract I found my skin became not so bad or dry looking. I found this out after taking 2 bottles and then, not having any arthritis pain, stopped taking the capsules and after about a month my skin became red and itchy again. So now although I get arthritis at times in various parts I take it all the time mainly for my skin.

I thought I would write and tell you. It might benefit someone else".

A lady in Cape Town, South Africa says

"in august last year, you supplied me with 2 bottles of the mussel extract, which I have since taken with extremely good results. Not only have the arthritic irritations in my elbow and finger joints receded considerably but I feel generally much fresher and more active than I did before".

A mother of a girl from Queensland, Australia says

"I am writing to let you know how well my daughter is since taking the mussel extract. She has had rheumatoid arthritis and she can use both hands now for writing and even raise them above her head.

She only has 9 aspirins, 2 brufen and 1 vitamin a day now and 1 gold injection a week compared with 12 aspirins, 6 brufen, 4 codeine, 3 vitamins, 3 calcium and 2 fergen. Before the mussel extract plus gold she has had 3 bottles of the mussel extract and now her hands look normal again. Her gums do not bleed and her eyes are not sore all the time. She is still thin but is eating well".


A lady in Auckland, New Zealand says

"some years ago I developed pain and stiffness in my right shoulder which was diagnosed as being due to rheumatoid arthritis. The doctor I consulted prescribed brufen tablets and subsequently sent me to a hospital where I underwent treatment, finally having cortisone injections (which I might say were cruelly painful and did not seem to give lasting relief).

At times, the pain reduced me to tears and I am not a weak woman. My only other relief was to sit in the hot pools at Waiwera where the thermal water gave temporary comfort.

I obtained a supply of mussel extract capsules and before taking them I asked my doctor if he had any objection to me trying the mussel extract. He said that he had no objection and would be interested to hear of my reaction to them. At the time they were not available as prescription medicine, he said, but I was more than willing to pay for them and commenced the first course the next day.

I did not experience any side effects although I did notice some soreness in the first few weeks as described in the leaflet.

I am delighted to explain that I have regained complete use of my right arm. I am able to reach up to cupboards over my head and to carry shopping bags, clean windows and perform most household duties. I might add that at worst of my 'illness' I was unable to hold a pen firmly in my hand and was in almost constant pain - especially during damp and cold weather".


A gentleman from Spain says

"I feel obliged to inform you about my miraculous experience with the mussel extract. I have badly suffered with rheumatoid poly-arthritis during the past months. From august on I have been treated here with all hard medical drugs of the pirarolones, butaphenarolone and corticosteroid groups without any lasting results. Sometimes a certain relief but upon ceasing with a specific medication after a few days from bad to worse again.

My whole condition became gradually worse. I felt poisoned by medicines, lost my appetite and felt depressed. No wonder as I saw the wheelchair coming towards me, I stopped therefore all curses and felt a little better when the side effects disappeared. At that time the balance was: active arthritis in the right knee accompanied by a serious bursitis, active arthritis in right ankle joints, right thumb and indicator finger, left wrist and crippled four fingers, right shoulder and shoulder blade and also some pain in adjoining ribs.

On 13th December, I started with the mussel extract. The first 8 days no change. On the 9th day increasing pain in all affected joints with slight fever till the 13th day (no fever and decreasing pain). On the 14th day all other joints that were affected in the preceding years, showed symptoms of becoming active again accompanied by again slight fever.

On the 15th day however, I awoke for the first time with hardly any arthritic pain although stiffness and immobility still remained. From the 16th to the 20th day everything improved gradually, which caused a feeling of well-being. From the 21st to the 23rd day another revival of arthritic pain and slight fever but now in all joints effected now and in former years. On the 24th day it was all gone.

From thereon a gradual decrease of muscle tensions, stiffness and a slowly increasing mobility in all affected joints. Swollen right knee and ankle slowly diminishing. On the 32nd day was able to walk again. On the 42nd day mobility, apart from some trouble of joint deformations, nearly normal of my age, hardly any pain, pleasant mobility. I am able to use all the affected joint s again without pain and with only some slight limitations and I can now carry out again the usual odd jobs around the house. I can walk again without trouble although I have to be careful with the use of my right leg as both knee and ankle joint were rather badly damaged.

6 weeks ago I had to pass my days, as a still dynamic person, in bed or on a couch. Incidentally I also noticed a beneficial side effect. Small cuts and grazes are now healing as I estimate about twice as quickly as before.

P.S. My wife and I are sailing on the 10th of next month from Las Palmas on a world cruise, which we desperately nearly had to cancel."

A lady Physician in Canada says

"I am over 80 years old and a physician with more than 50 years experience and can observe results with an objective judgment. My condition, spondylitis of the lumbar vertebrae, from which I have suffered for over 20 years improved dramatically.

I had tried many other treatments, which did not help. My chronic rheumatism in both legs which made walking painful and slow, became so much better within only 5 days that I could walk again quite easily. I could hardly believe the result. After finishing 2 bottles I tried to get them again but was only able to obtain a variety, which contained an addition of Brewers Yeast, was darkish yellow and smelled of smoked fish. The improvement I had experienced gradually disappeared and the new capsules did not help at all".

This testimonial goes on to request more of the genuine product and indicates the danger of imitation brands taking advantage of the situation.


A sheep farmer's wife in New Zealand says

"I would like you to know that the mussel extract capsules are helping my husband who has ankylosing spondylitis of the neck, spine and hips for over 20 years. He finds considerable relief in his back and is able to drench sheep in comfort. He is 55 and his stoop had been getting worse over the years.

I thought I would let you know the benefit as you are in a position to advise others. "


A state registered nurse says

"I am writing in praise of your product (the mussel extract). Nearly 2 years ago I developed rheumatoid arthritis of both wrists and spondylitis of the cervical spine.

My doctor prescribed the usual anti-inflammatory drugs but as a nurse, having seen the side effects of these drugs on patients, I was naturally reluctant to take the medication.

Leading a very busy life as a wife, mother and holding down a full time nursing job I decided to try other things. I tried homeopathy, which was expensive and not at all successful.

Then I read an article on the mussel extract. I toyed with the idea of trying it then at the company where I work as the Occupational Health Nursing Sister. I talked to a young man who was a sufferer of poly arthritis and had a hip replacement operation. He told me that he had a book on the green-lipped mussel, which he let me read.

I was impressed and decided to try a course of the capsules. This was in April. The book said that some people had to take the capsules for several months before experiencing relief. I was prepared to persevere. I was pretty desperate at the time. I was very unwell, low in health and spirit. Unable to sleep at night, loss of power in my arms, shoulders, wrists and hands. I considered I was in the prime of life (49) and had 10 years or so to go to retire from my nursing job. I found that in the mornings I could hardly lift my arms to dress and comb my hair. The pain was excruciating but I would not be beaten and continued to go to work each day.

I took the maximum dose of the mussel extract daily. Very slowly I began to notice an improvement by the summer months May/June. The heat and swelling began to ease in the wrists. Then some days the pain would return to its maximum, especially if I was overtired or had done certain household jobs but somehow I felt I could cope a little better.

By September, I knew that I was atleast getting true results. Restful nights, a feeling of well being, only an occasional mild ache in the neck, wrists, shoulders and muscles. Infact so slight to what I was having that I could almost ignore the discomfort."

This describes the emotional and relief stages that sufferers of arthritis go through.