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
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. 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. Megared Omega 3 Krill Oil is packaged in the USA, so they are easier to locate than other supplements. A typical capsule contains approximately 166 mg of EPA and 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.
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 small crustaceans can be found 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. The unique ability of this nutrient to regulate skin hydration, elasticity and other aspects is remarkable. Krill oil’s high levels of phospholipids allow for it to be more easily absorbed into the blood cells 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.
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. 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.
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. 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. However, it may be beneficial for athletes who do not consume enough dietary choline during endurance activities.
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%. Krill oil also has many other health benefits.
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. 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. It is important to determine if krill oil can improve endurance and cognitive function of 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. They regulate the brain, heart, joint, skin and other vital functions such as cognitive function, memory, bone health, and joints. 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
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. The MSC monitors and regulates the fishing industry, including fisheries and the supplements they make. 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 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. 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. It should be clear on the label whether sustainable harvesting methods are used by the company. It should state whether the product has been subject to third-party testing for heavy and other contaminants. If the product contains these factors, then it’s probably worth the extra cost.