Krill Oil - What Should I Know About It?
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Updated December 19, 2014.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. 's .
What is Krill Oil?Krill are shrimp-like crustaceans that are approximately 1 to 6 centimeters long. They live is the ocean, where they feed mainly on . They're near the bottom of the food chain and are eaten by whales, seals, penguins, squid and fish.Commercial fishing of krill occurs primarily in the
and the northern Pacific Ocean along the coasts of Canada and Japan. Krill that are caught are used for aquaculture and aquarium feeds, sport fishing bait or they are eaten as food.
In Japan, krill that's caught for food is called okiami.Krill oil, the oil that's found naturally in krill, is extracted and sold as a nutritional supplement. It's sold in some health food stores and online in capsule form.Krill oil contains , which is the main reason it's becoming popular as a nutritional supplement.Another reason krill oil is becoming popular is because it contains an antioxidant called . The algae that krill eat produces the bright red pigment astaxanthin that gives krill and other crustaceans such as lobster and shrimp their reddish-pink color.Antioxidants protect our body cells from , unstable substances that are thought to contribute to certain chronic diseases. Unlike many other , astaxanthin crosses the blood-brain barrier, where it could theoretically protect the eye, brain and central nervous system from free radical damage.Health Benefits of Krill Oil:People use krill oil for the same reasons they use fish oil, flax oil or other omega-3 fatty acids.
Unlike fish oil, krill oil doesn't cause fishy burps or an aftertaste, a common side effect of fish oil. Also, krill oil contains higher amounts of astaxanthin than fish oil. Here are some specific conditions for which it's used.1) High CholesterolKrill oil is being studied as a natural remedy for high cholesterol. In one study, 120 people were given krill oil, fish oil or a . Krill oil reduced LDL (commonly referred to as "bad") cholesterol by 34% and increased HDL ("good") cholesterol by 43.5% compared to the placebo. In comparison, fish oil reduced
by 4.6% and increased
by 4.2%. Krill also lowered triglycerides.Find out about other .2) Premenstrual SyndromePreliminary research suggests krill oil may help reduce symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), however, more research is needed.Check out my article on .3) ArthritisA study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition examined krill oil (300 mg daily) compared to a placebo and found that krill oil was effective at reducing arthritis symptoms and inflammation.Learn about
and .CaveatsPeople with allergies to seafood shouldn't use krill oil. People with bleeding disorders shouldn't use krill oil unless under the strict supervision of a qualified health professional.Side effects of krill oil may include loose stools, diarrhea or indigestion.People taking blood thinners (anticoagulant or anti-platelet medication), such as aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, clopidogrel (Plavix), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve) should only use krill oil under a physician's supervision.Krill oil should also be used with caution by people taking herbs and supplements that are thought to increase the risk of bleeding, such as ginkgo biloba and garlic.In general, krill oil supplements haven't been tested for safety and keep in mind that the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications has not been established. You can get tips on using supplements
but if you're considering the use of krill oil, talk with your primary care provider first. ControversyThe recent popularity of krill oil supplements has raised serious concerns that it could threaten the population of its predators, including penguins, seals and whales.SourcesBunea R, El Farrah K, Deutsch L.Evaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the clinical course of hyperlipidemia. Altern Med Rev. (: 420-428. Deutsch L. Evaluation of the effect of Neptune Krill Oil on chronic inflammation and arthritic symptoms. J Am Coll Nutr. (: 39-48.Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician. It is not meant to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, circumstances or adverse effects. You should seek prompt medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative medicine or making a change to your regimen.
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Nature Made Vitamins
How Much Fish Oil Should You Take? EPA and DHA Omega-3s Are What Counts!
Meghan Lyons, M.S.
Many people focus on the dosage of fish oil to take, like 1000 mg or 1200 mg, but it is really the omega-3s that matter. The two types of omega-3 fatty acids to focus on are EPA and DHA. These omega-3s are naturally found in oily fish like salmon, halibut, sardines and anchovies, and are the very reason why fish oil supplements have received such high praise.
EPA and DHA: What&s the Catch?
A regular intake of EPA and DHA plays a very positive role in your health. When made available to the body, EPA and DHA are incorporated into cell membranes (such as heart cells) and support a critical role in keeping cells membranes flexible.& Scientists continue to add to the extensive amount of research on EPA and DHA.
How Much EPA and DHA Do I Need?
Recently, respected health care organizations have proposed intake recommendations for oil fish of two servings per week for healthy adults. Two servings of fish oil per week equate to approximately a combined daily total of 500 milligrams (mg) EPA + DHA from either the diet (i.e., oily fish) or supplementation.&D The recommendation encourages adults already with or at-risk of developing cardiovascular disease to talk to their primary healthcare professional about supplementing with amounts greater than 500 mg of EPA + DHA per day. Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
While fish for dinner is one way to get EPA and DHA, most people don&t eat the suggested two to three servings of oily fish per week to reap the benefits of omega-3s. What&s more, there are extremely few food sources, aside from fish, that naturally provide EPA and DHA. So it&s no surprise that fish oil supplements are increasing in popularity.
What Should I Look for in a Fish Oil Supplement?
First, always remember that it&s the omega-3s that count. When making your purchase, be sure to determine the amount of omega-3s per serving. Many doctors often recommend 1000 to 1200 mg of fish oil because that amount of fish oil contains the total amount of omega-3s the doctor wants you to consume. One thousand or 1200 mg of fish oil doesn&t equal 1000 or 1200 mg of omega-3s. A standard 1000 mg fish oil softgel provides around 300 mg of omega-3s (and even less of the important EPA and DHA), and so in order to meet the 500 mg EPA + DHA recommendation, a minimum of two softgels would be necessary. Make sure to read the &Supplement Facts& label to determine the amount of EPA and DHA in a fish oil supplement.
Second, quality matters. It is important to purchase fish oil from a reputable manufacturer that follows Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and takes the necessary steps to purify the oil. In choosing a brand like Nature Made&, the *, you can rest assured knowing Nature Made has a strong commitment to making quality supplements.
Nature Made
Nature Made Super Strength Omega-3 EPA is a unique fish oil formula that provides a higher dose of EPA compared to less concentrated fish oil softgels & nearly 3 times the amount. Every 2 softgels provides a total of 1200 mg of EPA +DHA (1000 mg EPA and 200 mg DHA).
* Based on US News & World Report - Pharmacy Times Survey
&These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
&D&Recommended amount& equates to a calculation based on approximately 3,500 mg of omega-3 fatty acids EPA/DHA found in two servings of fatty fish per week.
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