Clams are a very common food for those who live around large natural bodies of water like lakes, swamps, and seas. Although clams are generally known to be rich in nutrients, including high percentages of healthy fats, iron, Vitamin B12, and full protein, there are other benefits that are only surfacing following extensive research.
Some cultures have been using clams to deliver various health benefits for decades, and researchers are now keen to discover the science behind their action.
Fresh water clam extract supplements are now widely available in the market. Unfortunately, there are various misconceptions about the benefits and uses of clam extract, particularly regarding the possible differences between fresh and salt water clams. .
Here is a descriptive review of fresh water clam extract, including what it is, its health benefits and side effects, and a few recommended products.
What is freshwater clam extract?
As the name implies, fresh water clam extract refers to nutritious extracts derived from clams that thrive in fresh water. Unlike salt water clams, they are high in nutrition and health enriching protein, and they’re low in bad fat. They also lack the harmful chemicals and elements typically found in clams that live in salty waters.
Clams absorb nutrients from their environment just like other living organisms, and those in heavily impacted water bodies will definitely take in some of the bad solvents.
Clams are basically a group of mollusks that fall within the Bivalvia class (those with two equal shells joined by adductor muscles). They spend a large part of their life buried in sand and deep ocean beds, but are often washed to the shores.
Health benefits of freshwater clam extract
The nutritional benefits of fresh water clams are quite obvious and straightforward. As mentioned above, this seafood contains iron, Vitamins, healthy fat and protein, all of which contribute to better health. However, there are other subtle benefits that have been identified from traditional cultures in areas such as Japan and China.
Research studies conducted on rats have also revealed quite a lot of benefits that can be translated to humans through careful supplementation. Some of the popular benefits of fresh water clam extracts available in the market include the following:
Liver tonic
In traditional Chinese medicine practice, clams, particularly corbicular clams, were used as liver tonic and enhancement. In Japan, they are used to treat liver ailment and as health-enhancing tonics. There are several medical research studies to support this benefit as some 83% of 853 liver disease patients recovered when given clam extracts in a study carried out back in 1980. The extracts have also quickly healed liver injuries in rats.
Organ health
Apart from enhancing the liver, researchers have found out that fresh water clam extracts can help boost heart health, kidney functionality, and liver functions. In one particular study conducted in 1999, Japanese Professor Lim identified that clam extracts could help reduce AST and ALT of the liver.
Other results include the ability to lower serum cholesterol LDL and preventing vessel hardening. It also prevents death of liver cells and controls fat deposition in the liver.
Healing of wounds
In another research study conducted on rats, fresh water clam extracts were discovered to aid faster wound healing. When these supplements are taken, they reduce the amount of TNF-Alpha, a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is known to delay wound healing.
Patients of accidents and nasty injuries can benefit from fresh water clam diets through supplementation as well as incorporating the clams into their diet.
Relieving exhaustion and muscle damage
Clam extract supplementation delivers on time results in muscle relaxation and relief from exhaustion. Study results have also indicated that supplementation can help treat muscle damages that occur following heavy impact exercises and heavy labor.
Reduces alcohol damages
This is largely related to its liver tonic benefits. Heavy drinkers can quickly repair their liver and detoxify their body through fresh water clam extract supplements taken regularly.
Alcoholic fatty liver, a common phenomenon in which the liver develops unhealthy amounts of fat from heavy drinking, is one of the conditions that clam extracts treated in rats and experts believe it can be achieved in human subjects as well.
There are many other minor benefits of fresh water clam extracts, including improved metabolism, increased energy, reduced fatigue, and exhaustion, as well as strengthened immune. When supplementation is combined with regular incorporation of clam foods, these benefits can be maximized.
Risks Or Side Effects
There have been several concerns and claims regarding the side effects of clam extracts, particularly with regard to the possibility of developing hepatitis. As a result, many people shy away from taking clam extracts. This is a huge concern that was proven in a separate research study conducted on salt water clams.
It is important to note the difference, especially since clams virtually exist in all lakes, seas, and oceans, as well as some rivers. Contaminated areas and salt water contains a lot of impurities and toxic chemicals that are naturally absorbed into the clam from the environment.
As the clam grows, concentrations of these human-toxic chemicals increase, sometimes resulting in premature death of certain clams. When extracts are derived from clams that lived in contaminated water, these contaminants are passed into the extract which brings the risk of contracting a myriad of ailments including hepatitis.
However, fresh water clam extracts have no such side effects. In fact, there are no risks or side effects reported from the use of fresh water clams only.
Top Products Containing Freshwater Clam Extract
There are various products which are marketed as fresh water clam extract supplements. While finding them should not be a difficult process, it is very important to carefully review the offer and ensure they are genuine, quality freshwater clams. Some of the recommended supplements that contain harmless clam extracts include the following:
• Shijimi – Uses corbicular fresh water clams found in Japan. They have been used for over 120 years.
• Orihiro – This is another top quality fresh water clam supplement you can try out. It comes in a 240 tablet pack and is also from Japan.
Conclusion
It is important to purchase original, genuine quality supplements from your trusted manufacturers. Using contaminated clam supplements can compromise your health and result in various kinds of health issues. The general advice is to shop from credible licensed distributors allowed to offer the supplement in your area.
Look for reviews, comments, complaints, and scientific research information to determine the quality offered. It is also important to review all other ingredients added to the supplement.
