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. Increases in blood levels may translate to improved cardiovascular outcomes, although further studies are needed to investigate whether krill oil has 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. The results of the study are preliminary and more studies will be needed to establish the precise doses at which these supplements work.
Although fish oil supplements are the most popular and widely consumed form of omega-3 fatty acids, there are also several disadvantages to krill oil. While fish oil is more popular, many people find it to be less appealing due to its high intake and inability tolerate large amounts. That’s where krill oil supplementation comes in. 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. Unlike fish oil, krill oil is more easily absorbed. That’s one reason why so many people prefer it. 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. A typical capsule contains approximately 166 mg of EPA and 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. 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 is obtained from tiny shrimp-like crustaceans, which feed whales. The word krill means “whale food.” These tiny crustaceans are found in the waters around Antarctica. Krill oil is often found in blends 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. 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. 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. The results weren’t statistically significant. Additional research is needed to confirm this effect.
Norway has the highest levels of DHA/EPA in krill oils. Scientists took a sample from a Norwegian product, and then compared it with the same amount of krill. That sample contained 600 mg of fish oil, 288 mg of EPA + DHA, and 330 mg 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. A study of 70 women found that krill oil with a greater amount of omega-3 fatty acids reduced dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome and other conditions. In another study of 54 women, krill oil reduced painkiller use and significantly decreased 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. The results showed that this supplement significantly increased the amount of choline in plasma. Researchers measured the levels of trimethylamine N, betaine and dimethylglycine in 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 form of omega-3 fatty acids has numerous benefits, including an increased HS-Omega-3 index. This index measures the amounts of EPA and DHA in the red blood cell 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. Krill oil also has many other health benefits.
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. This suggests that krill oils may provide a great source of choline to supplement human nutrition. 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. The raw data will be made available without reservation. 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. Krill oil has many benefits, including eye dryness and liver health. It is worth looking into krill oil to see if it might be right for you.
Friend-of-the-Sea-certified sustainable krill oil
If you’re looking for a krill oil supplement that’s certified by the Friends of the Sea, you’ve come to the right place. The organization has certified dailyNutra krill oil, and you can find the Friends of the Sea eco-label on all of its products. 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. This supplement is a great 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 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 ensures that the product is fresh and retains its natural Omega-3 fatty acid content.
When shopping for a krill oil supplement, look for one with the Friends-of-the-Sea seal. 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.