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. 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. This study was published in the journal 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. Krill oil supplementation is the solution. 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. 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.
Megared Omega-3 is one of the most effective krill oil supplement. It’s 3 times purer than ordinary 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. 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 is obtained from tiny shrimp-like crustaceans, which feed whales. Krill is a term that means whale food. These tiny crustaceans are found in the waters 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.
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. 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. 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. 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. Researchers measured the levels of trimethylamine N, betaine and dimethylglycine in 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 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%. Because of this, krill oil has several other benefits as well.
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.
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. 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. The organization has certified dailyNutra krill oil, and you can find the Friends of the Sea eco-label on all of its products. The krill oils supplements have been tested by clinical scientists and come from reputable firms. 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.
Enzymotec’s K*REAL is another krill oil supplement. It is made from sustainable 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.