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
Recent research has shown that taking krill oil supplements can reduce cholesterol by approximately 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.
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. Krill oil absorbs more quickly than fish oil. 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. These results suggested that krill oils are better than other treatments for 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. 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 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.
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. These results will allow for further research to be conducted on the effects of krill oil 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
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. 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. 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. 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 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.