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.
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. We’ll be discussing the advantages of krill oil supplementation as an alternative to fish oil, and the possible risks and benefits.
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. Krill oil absorbs more quickly than fish oil. 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.
Megared Omega-3 is one of the most effective krill oil supplement. 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. 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. 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 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.
Many people use krill oil in supplement form to boost their DHA levels, but there are many other benefits of krill oil beyond its 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 makes it possible for the nutrients to reach the heart and brain.
While studies are still lacking, preliminary data suggest that krill oils can lower triglycerides as well as 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. This effect requires further research.
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 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. 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. 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 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 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. 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.
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. 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. 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
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 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 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. 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. 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.