While you have have probably heard of fish oil, another product called krill oil may be less familiar but may be to be superior to fish oil. Similar to fish oil, krill oil contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. If you suffer from high cholesterol, joint pain or have premenstrual emotional or physical symptoms, krill oil may benefit you. Consult your doctor before taking krill oil or any other dietary supplement.
Lower Cholesterol
One major benefit of krill oil supplements is lowered cholesterol. According to a 2004 study by the Department of Internal Medicine at McGill University, published in the "Alternative Medical Review," krill oil can reduce your total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides. Krill oil can also increase your high-density lipoprotein, the "good cholesterol." The study found that in equal and lower amounts, krill oil was superior to fish oil for reducing glucose, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels. Harvard University notes, however, although krill oil will likely reduce your risk factors for cardiovascular disease, there is still not a lot of clinical research on krill oil available.
Arthritis Relief
Similar to fish oil, krill oil can also benefit you if you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. According to a study in the 2010 "Journal of BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders," incorporating krill oil into your diet may offer protection against rheumatoid arthritis. The Swiss study, done on mice, reports that krill oil "significantly reduced the arthritis scores and hind paw swelling when compared to a control diet not supplemented with EPA and DHA." The University of California at San Diego confirms this for humans, stating, supplementing with 300mg of krill oil each morning may help you significantly reduce the symptoms of arthritis-like joint pain and stiffness. Krill oil is a dietary supplement, to be used in accordance with a healthful, balanced diet that does not promote inflammation.
Premenstrual Syndrome
Krill oil may help alleviate symptoms of premenstrual syndrome better than fish oil according to the University of Buffalo. A study published in the 2003 "Alternative Medical Review" by the Department of Experimental Surgery at the University of Montreal concluded that "krill oil can significantly reduce dysmenorrhea and the emotional symptoms of premenstrual syndrome." Researchers noted that krill oil was more effective for the "complete management" of premenstrual symptoms when compared to omega-3 fish oil.
References
- PubMed.gov: Evaluation of the Effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the Management of Premenstrual Syndrome and Dysmenorrhea
- PubMed.gov: Evaluation of the Effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the Clinical Course of Hyperlipidemia
- Harvard University: The Pain-Anxiety-Depression Connection
- PubMed.gov: Supplementation of Diet with Krill Oil Protects Against Experimental Rheumatoid Arthritis
- University of California-San Diego: Osteoarthritis
- University of Buffalo: Dietary Supplements
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