Krill is a shrimplike small crustacean that is available in oceans. However, the krill available around Antarctica are in high demand presently. Krill are well-known as filter feeders that consume algae, but several predators feed on krill, including squids, whales, penguins, and seals. This red, lobster-like creature has essential fatty acid known as Krill oil. Krill oil has similar omega-3 fatty acids to omega-3 fish oil, making it a healthy alternative. Some of these essential fatty acids available in krill include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
In other countries, krill are available in processed, smooth pill form supplement, which helps lower blood fats, reduce the chances of having a chronic disease, and reduce inflammation. Besides having omega-3 fatty acids, krill supplements also consist of phospholipid-derived fatty acids and astaxanthin for its antioxidant functions.
Several health benefits are associated with krill oil, which improves many body functions. Some benefits include weight loss, decreased inflammation, improved digestive health, relief from arthritis, etc. Moreover, it also assists in reducing cholesterol levels, improves muscle functioning, and improves one’s immune system. Let’s look closely at the several exciting benefits of krill oil.
Reduces Inflammation
Omega-3s help with any kind of illness which involves inflammation in the body. Similarly, taking krill oil helps to decrease pain, stiffness, plus inflammation in patients having rheumatoid arthritis. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids can change to eicosanoids and stop inflammatory responses in your body. Thus, it’s the best remedy for inflammatory situations like osteoarthritis, gout, and inflammation of blood vessels and arteries.
Promotes Heart Health
Another advantage of omega-3 is its beneficial effects on our heart health. The fatty acids available in krill oil help decrease cholesterol accumulation in our arteries. In addition, it also helps in preventing atherosclerosis and hardening. As a result, you will significantly reduce the risk of having strokes and coronary heart disease and lower your blood pressure.
Controls Diabetes and Improves Immunity
By decreasing glucose levels and insulin resistance in our bodies, krill oil helps prevent the danger of type 2 diabetes. In addition, it also helps in raising the HDL (good cholesterol) levels in our body and improving cardiovascular health. Moreover, HAD and EPA available in this oil assist in reducing blood sugar levels. Consuming 1,000 mg of this supplement daily for up to three months helps make insulin very efficient by raising glucose sensitivity.
Krill oil also helps in boosting one’s immune system. The oil has an astaxanthin antioxidant that helps improve your body’s defense system. Moreover, it also helps in finding out free radicals and neutralizes them. As a result, you will have low-risk factors of having chronic diseases, cardiovascular disease, and other infections. Furthermore, krill oil has omega-3 fatty acids, which induce apoptosis and help in killing the cancer-causing cells. Similarly, the supplement positively affects breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and premenstrual syndrome.
Decreases Triglycerides and Depression
These are fat varieties that circulate in one’s blood. The preferred levels of triglycerides should be below 150 mg/dl. Higher levels of these kinds of fat increase the danger of having a stroke and heart attack.
Omega-3 acids (DHA and EPA) significantly impact neurotransmission in the human brain. Taking Krill oil which is full of omega-3, helps improve one’s anxiety and mood. Furthermore, omega-3 acids are also the best antidepressants. Due to this, krill oil is a healthy dose, especially for patients recovering from an emotionally tumultuous or illness time, and even improving your general health.
Helps in Digestion
Though not majorly acknowledged as a digestive agent, this oil positively affects one’s gastrointestinal system because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Other benefits of krill oil include helping eliminate constipation, upset stomach, hemorrhoids, indigestion, etc. Finally, you will have improved health in your whole system.
Relief of PMS Symptoms
Taking krill oil helps eliminate period pain and other symptoms associated with PMS. Early research shows that krill oil supplement is more efficient in dealing with PMS symptoms, unlike fish oil. Consuming krill oil means a patient will need little pain medication. Moreover, this supplement is also suitable for women that suffer from intense mental and physical symptoms as they go through their premenstrual period. The oil helps in reducing anxiety and balancing out hormones. Furthermore, Omega-3s also help decrease problems like cramping, irregular menstrual cycles, and heavy flows.
Reduces Anxiety and Helps in Detoxification
Omega-3 is more helpful in decreasing anxiety levels. To significantly reduce anxiety, a patient must consume at least 2g of omega-3s of both eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA daily.
The liver is among the essential organs that benefit from krill oil and other elements. Since body detoxification occurs, there is a need for hepatoprotective effects. Regular consumption of this supplement ensures that your liver functions normally. Above all, it also helps in keeping your blood clean.
Guards the Brain and Supports Neurological Development
This supplement helps in improving one’s memory plus concentration. By decreasing oxidative stress in one’s brain, the oil also assists in preventing dementia, schizophrenia, autism, and epilepsy. Antioxidants are available in krill oil to help improve one’s cognitive ability, particularly for the aged. These antioxidants help stimulate neural activities by clearing out plaque and guaranteeing blood flow to capillaries everywhere in the brain.
With proper growth of the fetus and newborn babies, krill oil helps in giving the required essential nutrients to the nervous system, eyes, and brain. Various compounds and chemicals are vital in different development levels. Therefore, pregnant ladies should take enough omega-3s for their unborn child to be healthy, and krill oil is one of the best sources for this.
Treats Dry Eyes and Skin
As one grows older, the tear ducts found in the eye take longer and longer to produce tears. As a result, this can lead to eye redness, blurry vision, or a feeling of having something inside the eye. Several people go to an eye doctor every year due to dry eyes. Krill oil supplement helps patients having dry eyes. Moreover, consuming 1,500 mg of krill oil per day helps protect the eye from oxidation. The supplement has other nutrients that help in macular degeneration and other eye conditions.
Krill oil also helps with skin care. Krill supplement has omega 3 with great antioxidant activities, which assists in decreasing chronic inflammation in one’s body. This helps in preventing acne and eliminating dangerous contaminants from the skin. Krill oil also has astaxanthin, which helps reduce wrinkles and age spots as it improves the moisture content and skin texture, hence improving skin health issues.
Helps in Fertility and Treating Colitis
This is one of the significant problems that affect several couples. Poor sperm quality and low sperm count are the main reasons a couple won’t conceive. Treating infertility conditions and other related issues is expensive. Consuming krill oil helps in improving sperm motility and concentration, and it’s an inexpensive option.
Krill oil supplement helps treat several inflammatory bowel diseases, including ulcerative colitis. The protective compounds available in this oil assist in relieving inflammation and sores in the gastrointestinal tract.
Helps Good Gut Bacteria
This supplement is the best source of nutrients to bacteria available in the gut, which helps in promoting good gut bacteria; hence it’s prebiotic. Bifidobacteria and lactobacillus bacterial strains are significant for intestinal health, and krill oils assist beneficial bacteria in growing as they prevent harmful bacteria from developing. Furthermore, a healthy gut barrier prevents a person from having a leaky gut which can lead to several health consequences.
It also helps in decreasing C-reactive protein. This is a krill protein concentrate that increases the chances of having a stroke and heart disease. More inflammation in the body leads to more other conditions. Consuming krill oil helps in decreasing CRP levels and inflammation by 20%.
Krill Oil Side Effects
Consuming krill oil offers mild side effects. The effects include bad breath, gas, stomach discomfort, heartburn, nausea, smelly sweat, loose stool, and headache. Moreover, health professionals warn patients who consume blood thinners, including warfarin, not to consume krill oil because it can lead to increased bleeding, although it’s scarce. Moreover, pregnant women need to consult their doctors before consuming any supplements. For those having seafood allergies, krill oil is also from sea creatures, which may also trigger some allergic reactions.
When planning surgery, you should stop using krill oil for about two weeks before the surgery since krill oil reduces blood clotting. This helps in avoiding excessive bleeding. Krill oil can also interact negatively with other medications like estrogens, diuretics, aspirin, and beta-blockers. Thus, if you’re on this medication, you should consult your doctor first.
Suggested Dosage
Krill oil supplement is available in soft gel form. Most people consume krill oil because of its omega-3s. The usual dosage of this supplement oil is 2,000 mg per day. Some manufacturers mix krill oil with astaxanthin. These offer extra antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Always check your supplement’s label on how much DHA and EPA it has. Even when a supplement has 1,000 mg of krill oil, EPA and DHA amounts may be lower. Moreover, always begin with a low dose and increase the amount gradually. This helps in creating tolerance to krill oil, and it also helps in decreasing the risk factors of having unpleasant symptoms like nausea and belching.
Fish Oil vs. Krill Oil
Both fish oil and krill oil have beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. These include DHA and EPA. Thus, the advantages of krill oil and fish oil for arthritis, cholesterol, skin condition, etc., are comparable. The significant advantage of krill oil is its absorbability. The EPA and DHA in krill oil are more bioavailable, unlike fish oil. Krill oil has another advantage over astaxanthin. This is a carotenoid available in varieties of foods having powerful antioxidant properties. Astaxanthins help fight free radicals, and it’s about 6,000 times more than vitamin C, 40 times stronger than beta-carotene, and 550 times more than vitamin E.
Furthermore, krill oil is purer, unlike several fish oils. The oil has low levels of heavy metals and mercury. The reason being krill eats algae; hence they are less likely to have higher quantities of these contaminants. Krill oil is a more reliable source of omega-3 fatty acids. The reason being Antarctic krill are among the most abundant animal species. Choosing krill oil as an alternative to fish oil helps ensure that you aren’t contributing to harmful and unsustainable practices like overfishing.
Krill oil has more vitamins D and A, which are absent in fish oil. However, these are beneficial only if you aren’t consuming any other multivitamins. Moreover, eating more of these vitamins isn’t recommended. Krill oil liquid supplements usually have a strong, fishy flavor that can be unpleasant to several people. However, a liquid supplement comes with fruit flavors; others have been treated to eliminate bad-tasting elements. Lastly, krill oil effects are somewhat different from regular fish oil since omega-3s in krill oil are bound to molecules called phospholipids, and omega-3s in fish oil are bound to serum triglycerides.
How Krill Oil Works
Fatty acids in krill oil are the same as those in fish oil. These fats help decrease swelling, make blood platelets less sticky, and lower LDL cholesterol levels. When blood platelets are not sticky, they’re less likely to clot. The long-chain fatty acids are mainly found in fatty fish, including salmon, trout, and herring, effectively decreasing plasma triglyceride levels. Numerous things contribute to excess production of triglyceride. However, among the most significant factors is improved fatty acid availability to the liver. This organ gets fatty acids from various dietary sources and circulates non-esterified FAs or free fatty acids. Moreover, Krill oil consumption decreases the rate at which very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is produced in the liver.
Non-esterified FAs contribute the most significant fraction to VLDL-TG manufacture. Taking krill oil helps in decreasing non-esterified fats available in the liver. Moreover, this oil also responds to the lipolytic release of non-esterified FAs from adipose tissue through inflammation suppression. Furthermore, it improves fatty acid intake and oxidation in the skeletal muscles, heart, and adipose.
What to Look for When Choosing Best Krill Oil Supplements
There are several manufacturers of krill supplements available on the market today. This can be confusing, especially when you need the best supplement that’s safe and beneficial to your body. Some of the factors to help you get the best supplement include
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Third-Party Testing
Before making any purchase on supplements, always ensure that a third-party lab for purity, quality, and safety has tested the product. Some reputable third-party testing organizations include ConsumerLab, United States Pharmacopeia, NSF International, and Informed-Sport. Nevertheless, International Krill Oil Standards is the only certification and third-party testing program for krill oils. Choose products that come with a seal showing their third-party testing investment.
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Omega-3 Content
You should select a krill oil supplement containing 250 mg and more of combined DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids. Moreover, they also chose products containing plasma phospholipids to increase omega-3 bioavailability. The main reason for consuming krill supplements is to boost the omega-3 level. However, it’s astonishing and worrying to see products with considerable variations in omega-3 levels from distinct krill oil brands. Krill oils are more powerful, unlike others, since they have more omega-3. Choosing cheaper krill oil can be wrong because it may contain less omega-3 content. Therefore, you will need to consume more krill oil capsules to have the same omega-3 boost as that offered by a product with higher omega-3 content.
When choosing krill oil, always compare omega-3 content for products from different brands. This will ensure you get a cheaper option that delivers that required amount of omega-3.
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Purification Process
When selecting the best quality krill oil, you need to consider the source of krill oil and oil’s purity. Krill harvested from the deep sea of Antarctica have low levels of heavy metals and toxins. This ensures that krill supplements are premium quality, beneficial, and safe for human health. Furthermore, choose a brand that carries out purification processes for their oil. This helps remove undesired salts and compounds with a strong and unpleasant ‘fish-like’ taste.
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Ingredients Quality
Choose supplements that are free from additives or fillers. All the ingredients available should be on the label, and they should be beneficial. In addition, all the best supplements products should meet business standards and Healthline’s medical. Efficiency and substantiated health benefits to every product are a must. There is a vast difference between good and bad quality krill oil. Low-quality Krill oil has no health advantage because of the low concentration of its active ingredients, including omega-3 and phospholipids.
Moreover, good quality krill oil contains high phospholipid content. This leads to having impactful proven health benefits. Moreover, the best quality krill oil is a multi-nutrient supplement. Thus, you will have numerous health benefits for different parts, including the heart, liver, brain, bones, joints, skin, etc. Unlike other fish species that offer fish oil, krill fish species don’t have dangerous minerals like mercury. The reason being krill consumes the lowest level of the food chain. As a result, you will have pure krill oil that’s safe for your health.
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Brand Reputation
Before making a purchase, check if the brand is well established and known in the supplement industry. Always go for supplements with several positive reviews. Customer reviews will give you an overview of what to expect, and you will also know a brand relationship with their customers.
Krill Oil Supplements
As said earlier, numerous brands manufacture these dietary supplements. Moreover, krill oil from the Antarctic is among the best for improving one’s health.
Krill oil supplementation is available in soft gel, capsule, or liquid. Moreover, all these forms will deliver health benefits though there are some things you need to remember. Krill oil liquid supplements have a fishy taste though some have a fruity flavor, and others are thoroughly treated to eliminate the smelly elements, as said before. However, one can choose supplements in soft gel capsules to avoid the smell issue. Soft gel capsules are encapsulated and made simple to swallow, leaving no aftertaste in one’s mouth. Furthermore, krill oil side effects are more common for people consuming it in a liquid form, unlike those taking soft gels. Moreover, soft gels are significantly expensive.
Krill oil supplement helps improve concentration, memory, and focus. All these benefit children, particularly those who find it hard to concentrate on what they are doing or settle down. The DHA and choline are available in krill oil to help improve good health and brain development.
Krill oil for women comes with numerous advantages, but one should ensure that they consume products free from contamination. Being in the North Atlantic Ocean, there’s a high probability of contamination, particularly by organochlorine pesticides. Pregnant ladies need to be very careful when taking these supplements.
How to Use and Where to Get Krill Oil
Best quality krill oil is available at several pharmacies, online retailers, and health food stores that sell omega-3 fatty acid and fish oil supplements. Always purchase reputable and trusted brands and opt for supplements with more DHA and EPA. The best supplement should be free from fillers and artificial additives. When taking these supplements, always start with a lower dose and increase your intake slowly as you assess your body’s tolerance and minimize possible side effects. Moreover, consuming krill oil and meals helps decrease symptoms like fishy aftertaste and belching. One is free to consume krill oil any time of the day, although several people prefer consuming this supplement in the morning with a healthy breakfast.
Recipes for Krill Oil
Some prefer getting omega-3 fatty acids straight from food rather than the supplement. Moreover, several foods offer omega-3. Fatty fish, including sardines, salmon, anchovies, mackerel, herring, seeds, and nuts, are full of omega-3 fatty acids that are heart-healthy.
Below we have a few recipes to add to your everyday meal to improve the level of your omega-3 fatty acids.
- Sardine Fish Cakes
- Coconut yogurt
- Flaxseed keto wraps
- Zesty Turkey Salad having walnuts and beans
- Teriyaki baked salmon
- Chia seed smoothie
Frequently Asked Questions About Krill Oil Supplements:
1. Is taking 1000 mg of krill oil supplement excessive?
Supplements from krill oil are safe for human consumption since it’s free from mercury and heavy metals. Consuming the proper dosage of krill oil offers no side effects. In several cases, the recommended dosage is 1,000mg per day. However, you should decrease the dosage if you experience adverse side effects. The main benefit of a krill oil supplement is that the fewer doses needed guarantee that you’ll never need to take more than a small quantity to have unwanted effects. If you are on any other medication, you need to consult with your doctor before you start consuming it.
Krill oil supplement helps people lower their cholesterol levels, but it isn’t a primary treatment for those with high cholesterol. For those taking antiplatelets and anticoagulants to assist in stopping blood clots, krill oil consumption can increase one’s probability of having bleeding problems. Other things that will help improve one’s cholesterol profile are regular exercise, a healthy diet, weight loss for those that are obese, stopping smoking, and use of other medications.
2. The nutritional value of krill oil?
Early research shows that krill oil is similar to oils available in fish. Krill oil is mainly made of omega-3 fatty acids, suitable for decreasing triglyceride levels and lowering blood serum lipids. Moreover, krill oil has omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA and DHA. Omega-3 fatty acids are also available in oils from certain fish, vegetables, and other plant sources. Unlike fish oil, omega-3 fatty acid available in krill oil supplementation is absorbed and transported to the body’s cells in phospholipid form. A good diet, workout, and omega-3 fatty acids combination help decrease the production of triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein. As a result, it leads to an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Higher triglycerides and cholesterol levels can easily lead to heart disease, coronary artery disease, and stroke.
Krill oil also has phospholipid-derived fatty acids, resulting in better absorption. Astaxanthin is a carotenoid antioxidant that blocks oxidation and neutralizes the effects of free radicals plus other substances available in body tissues which can easily cause disease. Krill Oil is also suitable for treating stroke, high blood pressure, cancer, depression, osteoarthritis, and premenstrual syndrome.
Conclusion: Do Krill Oil Supplements Really Work?
Krill oil supplement is a suitable alternative to fish oil since it’s more sustainable and rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Furthermore, it’s also more efficient at providing omega-3s to the human body, which benefits brain health, heart health, and inflammation. Moreover, the best krill oil is those which have undergone testing at a third-party lab. Furthermore, it should offer more than 250 mg of EPA and DHA in a serving. Above all, it should be free of filler ingredients or additives. Krill oil is also suitable for treating arthritis-related pain, including joint pain, and assisting those with skin issues and dry eyes. If you suffer from a seafood allergy or take blood thinners, then consulting your doctor is a must. To sum up, a dietary supplement should never substitute for a healthy and well-balanced diet rich in vegetables and fruits.