Is a Krill Oil Supplement Effective?
The effectiveness of krill oil supplementation is not yet proven, primarily due to the relatively small number of studies and considerable heterogeneity in study design. Initial evidence indicates that krill oils may outperform fish oil when there is an increase in blood levels of EPA or DHA. Increases in blood levels may translate to improved cardiovascular outcomes, although further studies are needed to investigate whether krill oil has similar benefits.
EPA
Recent research has shown that taking krill oil supplements can reduce cholesterol by approximately six percent. In addition to reducing cholesterol, krill oil supplementation may reduce other lipid levels, such as phosphatidylserine and LDL cholesterol. This study was published in the journal Nutrients. The results of the study are preliminary and more studies will be needed to establish the precise doses at which these supplements work.
While fish oil supplements are most well-known and commonly consumed forms of omega-3 fats, there are some disadvantages to using krill oil. Although fish oil is more widely consumed, its large capsules and poor tolerability make it less desirable for many consumers. Krill oil supplementation is the solution. We’ll be discussing the advantages of krill oil supplementation as an alternative to fish oil, and the possible risks and benefits.
High-quality krill oil is extracted from pristine waters in the Antarctic Ocean and contains highly absorbable omega-3 fatty acids. In addition to promoting brain and cardiovascular health, it also contains antioxidants known as astaxanthin. Krill oil absorbs more quickly than fish oil. Krill oil is a popular choice because of this. The supplement is easier to absorb than oil of fish, making it more efficient for longer periods.
One of the best krill oil supplements is Megared Omega-3. It’s 3 times purer than ordinary krill oil. Unlike other fish oil supplements, megared omega 3 krill oil is bottled and packed in the United States, making them easier to find. Each capsule has approximately 166mg of EPA or DHA. EPA supplements are the most affordable source of omega-3 fatty acids, so it’s worth comparing a few different products before making a final decision.
Studies on people have also shown that EPA can be a vital nutrient in the cardiovascular system. Studies comparing EPA and DHA supplements have shown that they significantly increased levels of EPA and DHA in the blood after an overnight fast. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups when it comes to DHA and PPA, which are two of the more popular forms of omega-3 fatty acids.
DHA
As a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids, krill oil has gained a great deal of popularity recently. Krill oil is said to be able to perform all the functions of fish oils, plus more. Krill oil comes from small shrimp-like crustaceans that feed whales. The word krill means “whale food.” These tiny crustaceans are found in the waters around Antarctica. Krill oil can be found mixed with fish oil.
Many people use krill oil in supplement form to boost their DHA levels, but there are many other benefits of krill oil beyond its omega-3 content. This unique nutrient has the ability to modulate hydration and elasticity of the skin. Additionally, krill oil is rich in phospholipids, which allow it to integrate more easily into blood cell membranes. This makes it possible for the nutrients to reach the heart and brain.
Although studies are lacking, preliminary results suggest that krill oil can reduce triglycerides and improve cardiovascular health. A recent study on overweight and obese people found that krill oil consumption of 3g per day was associated with a reduction of cholesterol levels and 5-10% drop in total cholesterol. However, the results were not statistically significant. This effect requires further research.
The highest concentration of DHA and EPA in krill oil is found in Norway, where scientists took a sample of a Norwegian product and then compared it to the equivalent amount of krill oil. The sample had 600mg of fish oil and 288mg of EPA + DHA. It also contained 330mg of omega-3 PUFAs. Krill oil had 63% less fish oil than the sample, which makes it an ideal supplement for a healthy diet.
A recent study has shown that a combination of krill oil and fish oil may be better for treating certain conditions. In a study of 70 women, a higher dose of krill oil reduced the risk of dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome. In another study of 54 women, krill oil reduced painkiller use and significantly decreased emotional irritability. The results also suggested that krill oil is better for the treatment of inflammatory conditions.
Choline
Choline from krill oil has been studied to improve muscle function, especially for endurance athletes. These results revealed that the supplement had a significant effect on plasma levels of choline. In this study, researchers measured levels of betaine, dimethylglycine, and trimethylamine N-oxide in the subjects. However, it is not yet clear whether this supplement improves circulating levels of choline. It may prove beneficial to athletes who don’t consume sufficient dietary Choline for endurance sports.
This type of omega-3 fatty acid has many benefits. It also increases the HS-Omega-3 Index. The index determines the amount of EPA or DHA found in red blood cells membranes. This supplement can be used to reduce oxidative stress following intense training like CrossFit. Research suggests that 82% of CrossFit athletes had an Omega-3 index lower than recommended. Because of this, krill oil has several other benefits as well.
Krill oil’s phospholipids are a great source of choline. High-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESM) analysis was used to identify choline-containing phospholipid classes. These results suggest that krill oil may be an excellent source of choline for human nutritional supplements. However, it is not clear whether krill oil is suitable for consumption by humans.
Krill oil may raise the level of choline, but it’s not clear if it will increase athletic performance. It is important to determine if krill oil can improve endurance and cognitive function of athletes. These results will allow for further research to be conducted on the effects of krill oil on endurance sports. All raw data will become available for free. So, if you are looking for a supplement, it is best to take the krill oil capsules.
Krill oil is a rich source of omega-3s and also has choline. Choline in the form of PC is naturally found in krill oil and regulates many vital functions in the body. These include the heart, joints, skin, and cognitive functions. Krill oil has many benefits, including eye dryness and liver health. So, it is definitely worth checking out if krill oil is right for you.
Friend-of-the-Sea-certified sustainable krill oil
You’ve found the best place to find a certified krill oil supplement by the Friends of the Sea. Friends of the Sea has certified dailyNutra’s krill oil. All of their products can be found with the Friends of the Sea eco label. These krill oil supplements are produced by reputable companies, and are backed by human clinical science. DailyNutra’s Neptune Krill Oil (NKO) is a one-a-day tablet containing pure Antarctic krill oil. These supplements contain a rich source of omega-3s.
MSC-certified krill oil products are produced with a commitment to sustainability. MSC regulates fishing, as well as fisheries and supplements. The organization works closely with fisheries, suppliers, retailers, and consumers to promote sustainable seafood. This certification is especially important for fish oil supplements as many products do not meet the standards.
Kirkland Signature krill oil supplements are a good way to get the optimum amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients from krill. Kirkland Signature uses krill that is sustainably harvested from the Antarctic and is manufactured under strict GMP standards. The company also sources krill from a Friends-of-the-Sea-certified supplier.
Enzymotec’s K*REAL is another krill oil supplement. It is made from sustainable Antarctic krill. To preserve the natural composition and omega-3 fatty acid in the krill oil, the company uses the Multi-Stage Oil Extraction process (MSO). This ensures that the product is fresh and retains its natural Omega-3 fatty acid content.
Look for the Friends-of-the-Sea seal when looking for krill oil supplements. The label should state whether the company uses sustainable methods of harvesting. The label should also state whether it has undergone third-party testing for heavy metals and other contaminants. These factors are worth paying extra for.