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. Although increased blood levels could lead to better cardiovascular outcomes, further research is needed to determine if krill oil offers similar benefits.
EPA
A recent study shows that a krill oil supplement can lower cholesterol levels by about 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. In addition to promoting brain and cardiovascular health, it also contains antioxidants known as astaxanthin. Krill oil absorbs more quickly than fish oil. 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. 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. 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
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.
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. The unique ability of this nutrient to regulate skin hydration, elasticity and other aspects is remarkable. Additionally, krill oil is rich in phospholipids, which allow it to integrate more easily into blood cell 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. The sample had 600mg of fish oil and 288mg of EPA + DHA. It also contained 330mg 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. These results suggested that krill oils are better than other treatments for 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. 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 form of omega-3 fatty acids has numerous benefits, including an increased 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. 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. However, it is not clear whether krill oil is suitable for consumption by humans.
Although the levels of choline in the body may increase by consuming krill oil, it is not known whether it will improve 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.
Apart from being a great source of omega-3s, krill oil also contains 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. 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 products for krill oils are made with sustainability in mind. MSC regulates fishing, as well as fisheries and supplements. To promote sustainable seafood, the organization collaborates closely with consumers, fisheries suppliers and retailers. The certification is particularly important when it comes to fish oil supplements, since many of these products don’t meet this standard.
Kirkland Signature Krill Oil Supplements are an excellent way to obtain the highest levels of omega-3 Fatty Acids and other nutrients from this krill. Kirkland Signature only uses sustainably harvested krill from Antarctica and it is made according to strict GMP guidelines. 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. 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 method ensures the freshness of the product and the natural Omega-3 fatty acids in the product.
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. If the product contains these factors, then it’s probably worth the extra cost.