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Krill oil supplements are touted in online reviews as providing many health benefits, but do they really work?
Krill is a popular dietary supplement intended to boost levels of omega 3 fatty acids. These essential compounds are required for optimum function throughout the human body.
They contribute to brain function, enhance reasoning and focus, protect against age-related memory loss and support a balanced mood. Read on to find out about the positive effects of krill oil supplements including side effects, dosages, and where to buy this product.
Heart Health
Brain Health
Anti- Oxidant- Source of EPA and DHA Omega-3's
- Contains astaxanthin - a potent anti-oxidant
- Supports brain & cardiovascular health
Top Krill Oil Products* ❯Krill Oil Supplement Review
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Red krill oil is extracted from krill which is a type of crustacean that is closely related to shrimp.
This cold-water shellfish exists in high quantities in the Antarctic and Pacific oceans.
Most forms of the oil for this use are packaged in softgel pills or as a liquid, though it is also used for cooking and seasoning.
Krill oil supplements are intended to deliver DHA and EFA omega 3 fatty acids to the cells of the body. These unsaturated fats are the building blocks of strong cells and the tissues and organs they comprise.
They play a role in normal growth cycles throughout life, and are particularly important to heart health and the tissues of the eyes. Not only can these supplements enhance the function of neurons in your brain, they also contribute to muscle building and fat loss.
Omega 3 vs. Omega 6 vs. Omega 9
Most of us have heard of Omega 3’s as the “good fats” that your body needs in order to perform many vital functions. But did you know there are also Omega 6’s and Omega 9’s? The main difference in all of these types of essential fats has to do with their chemical structure.
Omega 3’s have a double-bond in their molecular structure at the third carbon atom from the end of the chain. Omega 6’s have this double-bond at the 6th atom and Omega 9’s have it at the 9th carbon atom. These small-scale differences change the way that your body uses these fats.
Specifically, these long-chain fatty acids get incorporated into cell membranes and depending on where the double bond is present, this changes the membrane permeability of the cell. Our bodies need the appropriate balance of Omega 3’s to 6’s and 9’s in order for optimal functioning.
Most experts say that we need a ratio of 4:1 in terms of Omega 3’s to Omega 6’s. The problem is that the vast majority of us do not get enough of the Omega 3’s from dietary sources. While the Omega 6 fatty acids are prevalent in olive oil and vegetable oil, you need to eat a diet rich in fish in order to get sufficient Omega 3 intake.
For most people, the easiest way to correct this deficiency is by consuming some type of Krill Oil supplement on a daily basis.
Benefits of Krill Oil Supplementation
Krill oil’s omega 3s are able to cross the blood brain barrier, where the fats fortify nerve cells and contribute to overall improved brain function. Phospholipids within krill oil contain large amounts of choline, the raw material needed to build acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter relating to memory, reasoning, and healthy neural tissue.
These phospholipids also have a strong anti-oxidant capacity, and protect brain cells from the free radical damage which is a major cause of signs of aging. This neuro-protective quality can delay or prevent normal decay in neural structures, improving the efficacy and longevity of the brain’s function.
Benefits of Krill Oil Pills
The most popular reasons people take krill oil pills are for overall improvements to skin, immunity, and heart health. However, the mind and mood benefits of krill oil supplements are rapidly gaining popularity.
A daily krill oil dosage can improve memory, make mental focus easier, and heighten awareness and comprehension of sensory data. These benefits are most likely due to the excellent choline content.
Choline is one of the key brain nutrients that not only helps to support neuroplasticity, it also is involved in focus, memory and learning. When choline levels are higher, users typically perform better on tests of long-term and short-term memory. Furthermore, users typically experienced longer attention spans, less susceptibility to distractions and improved ability to comprehend complex information.
The anti-aging properties of krill oil make it a good protection against memory loss, brain fog, and forgetfulness which can naturally occur as the brain ages.
Krill Oil’s Anti-Oxidant Properties
Fish oil supplements are also often touted as good omega 3 sources. While they contain DHA and EFA acids, these oils are inferior to krill oil supplements for two reasons.
Fish oil is highly perishable, and when it decays it transforms into dangerous free radicals. These oxygen-damaged particles are the cause of decay and imbalance in cells, and are the reason we take anti-oxidants.
Krill oil has a very long period of stability and usability, in some cases 2 years or more. This is also the second main advantage of krill oil – it naturally has a higher anti-oxidant value due to its component phospholipids.
Anecdotally, it has been reported that krill oil also has much less of a fishy taste and odor than regular fish oil. This practical concern alone makes krill oil a far more attractive option for consuming omega 3s. Furthermore, research studies have shown that the effective dosage of Krill Oil supplements is lower than the equivalent required dosage of Fish Oil.
Dosage Guidelines
Most krill oil capsules are sold in 500 or 1000 mg increments. These are typically softgel pills which are easy to swallow and have no fish taste whatsoever. You can also find chewable supplements which may be more suitable for children or adults who have difficulty swallowing pills.
The oil can also be purchased in larger containers, and taken in a spoon or drizzled on other dishes. If the oil is heated during some form of cooking, it may lose some of its omega 3 potency. If it must be heated, the oil is best used in baked dishes as opposed to frying.
Overall, krill oil supplements are a safe, healthy and effective way to introduce omega 3 oils into the diet.
They improve organ and tissue health at the cellular level, while providing strong anti-oxidant protection. In the brain, krill oil can contribute to enhanced memory, better concentration, and more fluid thoughts. These qualities are similar to effects from other choline supplements, which can also be taken harmoniously with krill oil.
Krill oil represents a superior source of omega 3s over fish oil and poses extremely low risk of side effects.
- Winther B, Hoem N, Berge K, Reubsaet L. Elucidation of phosphatidylcholine composition in krill oil extracted from Euphausia superba. Lipids. 2011
- Ghasemifard S, Turchini GM, Sinclair AJ. Omega-3 long chain fatty acid bioavailability": a review of evidence and methodological considerations." Prog Lipid Res. 2014
- Ramprasath VR, Eyal I, Zchut S, Jones PJ. Enhanced increase of omega-3 index in healthy individuals with response to 4-week n-3 fatty acid supplementation from krill oil versus fish oil. Lipids Health Dis. 2013
- Lukas R, Gigliotti JC, Smith BJ, Altman S, Tou JC. Consumption of different sources of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids by growing female rats affects long bone mass and microarchitecture. Bone. 2011
- Bridges KM, Gigliotti JC, Altman S, Jaczynski J, Tou JC. Determination of digestibility, tissue deposition, and metabolism of the omega-3 fatty acid content of krill protein concentrate in growing rats. J Agric Food Chem. 2010
- Vigerust NF, Bjørndal B, Bohov P, Brattelid T, Svardal A, Berge RK. Krill oil versus fish oil in modulation of inflammation and lipid metabolism in mice transgenic for TNF-α. Eur J Nutr. 2013
Article last updated on: April 28th, 2018 by Nootriment