We get asked this question all the time: When's the best time to take my Green Lipped Mussel capsules?

It's a fair question. And increasingly, the answer points to nighttime.

Your Body's Repair Mode Kicks in While You Sleep

Here's something fascinating about your body: it does most of its repair work while you're asleep.

During the deeper stages of sleep, your body releases growth hormone - the same hormone that helps repair muscles, tendons, cartilage, and connective tissue. At the same time, cortisol (the stress hormone that can break down tissue) drops to its lowest levels of the day.

This creates the perfect window for healing. Your cells get to work on maintenance - protein synthesis, tissue repair, detoxification. Your joints, which have been under pressure all day from walking, standing, and moving, finally get a chance to recover.

Think of it this way: nighttime is when your body shifts from "doing mode" to "repair mode."

Giving Your Body the Building Blocks It Needs

For repair to happen, your body needs the right raw materials - amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids.

This is where Green Lipped Mussel comes in.

New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel delivers a powerful combination of natural Glucosamine, Omega-3 fatty acids (including the rare ETA found only in Green Lipped Mussels), and Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). These compounds support joint lubrication, help maintain cartilage integrity, and work with your body's natural inflammatory response.

When you take your capsules in the evening with dinner, these nutrients are circulating in your system right when your body enters its repair phase. The Omega-3s complement your body's nighttime recovery process, while the GAGs support the maintenance of healthy joint tissue.

A 2022 study published in Frontiers found that Green Lipped Mussel powder could help slow collagen breakdown and support joint comfort - exactly the kind of repair work your body prioritises during sleep.

Here's a Fun Fact: You're Actually Taller in the Morning

It sounds strange, but it's true. Most people are about 1–2 cm taller when they wake up than when they go to bed.

Why? Your spine has soft, jelly-like discs between each vertebra. Throughout the day, gravity compresses these discs slightly. But when you lie down to sleep, the pressure releases and the discs reabsorb fluid, expanding back to their full height.

It's a small reminder of just how much restoration happens while you rest - and why supporting that process with the right nutrients makes sense.

Practical Tips for Getting the Most from Your Green Lipped Mussel

Take it with your evening meal. Green Lipped Mussel contains fat-soluble compounds, so taking it with food (especially a meal with some healthy fats) helps your body absorb the good stuff.

Stay consistent. The benefits of Green Lipped Mussel build over time. Research shows results typically emerge after 6–12 weeks of regular use. Pick a time that fits your routine and stick with it.

Prioritise sleep. All the supplements in the world can't replace quality rest. Your body needs those hours of deep sleep to do its repair work properly.

The Bottom Line

If you're already taking Green Lipped Mussel and seeing benefits, there's no need to overhaul your routine. But if you're looking to optimise, shifting your capsules to dinnertime is an easy adjustment that aligns with your body's natural rhythms.

Take them with your evening meal, get a good night's sleep, and let your body do what it does best - heal, repair, and restore.

It's a simple change that works with your biology, not against it.