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. However, preliminary evidence suggests that krill oil may be superior to fish oil in increasing levels of EPA and DHA in the blood. Although increased blood levels could lead to better cardiovascular outcomes, further research is needed to determine if krill oil offers 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. The study was published by Nutrients. However, the study’s results are preliminary, and further studies are needed to determine the exact doses for which the supplements are effective.
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. That’s where krill oil supplementation comes in. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of krill oil as a fish oil alternative, and explore the potential risks and benefits of this new supplement.
High-quality krill oil is extracted from pristine waters in the Antarctic Ocean and contains highly absorbable omega-3 fatty acids. It is known to have antioxidants called astaxanthin, which can help improve brain health and cardiovascular health. Unlike fish oil, krill oil is more easily absorbed. That’s one reason why so many people prefer it. It’s easier to absorb than fish oil, which can make the supplements more effective for a longer period of time.
One of the best krill oil supplements is Megared Omega-3. Megared Omega-3 is three times more pure than regular 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 among the best sources of omega-3 fatty acid. It’s worthwhile to compare a variety of products before you make a decision.
Other studies, such as those conducted on humans, have shown that EPA is an important nutrient for the cardiovascular system. After an overnight fast, studies comparing DHA and EPA supplements showed that DHA and EPA significantly increased blood levels. There was however no difference in the levels of DHA or PPA between the groups. These are the most popular types of omega-3 fatty acid.
DHA
Krill oil is a popular natural source for omega-3 fatty acid. 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.
Krill oil is often used as a supplement to increase their DHA level. However, there are other advantages that krill oils have beyond the omega-3 content. This unique nutrient has the ability to modulate hydration and elasticity of the skin. Krill oil’s high levels of phospholipids allow for it to be more easily absorbed into the blood cells membranes. This ensures that the nutrient reaches the heart and brain.
While studies are still lacking, preliminary data suggest that krill oils can lower triglycerides as well as improve cardiovascular health. In a recent study of overweight and obese individuals, a 3 g daily dose of krill oil was associated with a 6% reduction in triglyceride levels, and a 5 to 10% drop in total cholesterol. However, the results were not statistically significant. Additional research is needed to confirm this effect.
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. That sample contained 600 mg of fish oil, 288 mg of EPA + DHA, and 330 mg of omega-3 PUFAs. Krill oil contained only 63% of the amount of fish oil, making it a more natural supplement to supplement diet.
Recent research has revealed that combination of fish oil and krill oil can be more effective in treating some conditions. In a study of 70 women, a higher dose of krill oil reduced the risk of dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome. Another study that involved 54 women found that krill oil significantly reduced the use of painkillers and emotional irritability. The results also suggested that krill oil is better for the treatment of inflammatory conditions.
Choline
The effects of krill oil’s choline on muscle function have been shown to be beneficial, particularly for endurance-sports athletes. The results showed that this supplement significantly increased the amount of choline in plasma. In this study, researchers measured levels of betaine, dimethylglycine, and trimethylamine N-oxide in the subjects. It isn’t yet known if this supplement increases choline levels in the blood. 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. This index measures the amounts of EPA and DHA in the red blood cell membranes. This supplement is particularly useful in addressing oxidative stress after intense power training, such as CrossFit. CrossFit CrossFit athletes have an Omega-3 index that is lower than the recommended. Research has shown this to be 82%. Because of this, krill oil has several other benefits as well.
The phospholipids in krill oil are an excellent 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. It isn’t clear if krill oils are suitable for human consumption.
Krill oil may raise the level of choline, but it’s not clear if it will increase athletic performance. There is a need to study how much krill oil improves endurance and cognitive function in athletes. Further research will be possible on the impact of krill oils 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. Additionally, krill oil is beneficial for liver health, eye dryness, and overall well-being. It is worth looking into krill oil to see if it might be 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. The krill oils supplements have been tested by clinical scientists and come from reputable firms. DailyNutra’s Neptune Krill Oil is a tablet that contains pure Antarctic Krill Oil. These supplements contain a rich source of omega-3s.
MSC-certified products for krill oils are made with sustainability in mind. 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.
Another krill oil supplement is Enzymotec’s K*REAL, a premium omega-3 product that is derived from sustainably harvested Antarctic krill. The company also uses their proprietary Multi-Stage Oil Extraction (MSO) process to preserve the natural composition of the omega-3 fatty acids in krill oil. 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. It should be clear on the label whether sustainable harvesting methods are used by the company. 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.