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.
Krill oil, which is high-quality and extracted from the Antarctic Ocean’s pristine waters, contains extremely absorbable omega-3 fat 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. 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.
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. It is claimed to do everything fish oil can, and more. Krill oil comes from small shrimp-like crustaceans that feed whales. Krill is a term that 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 ensures that the nutrient reaches 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. 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.
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. 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. 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. The index determines the amount of EPA or DHA found in red blood cells membranes. This supplement is particularly useful in addressing oxidative stress after intense power training, such as CrossFit. Research suggests that 82% of CrossFit athletes had an Omega-3 index lower than recommended. 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. This suggests that krill oils may provide a great source of choline to supplement human nutrition. 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. 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. So, it is definitely worth checking out if krill oil is 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. 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. This supplement is a great 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. 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.
Enzymotec’s K*REAL is another krill oil supplement. It is made from sustainable 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 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. 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.