Krill Oil & Cholesterol

Krill is a small, shrimp-like marine animal that lives in the oceans. Like fish oil, krill oil is an important animal source of omega-3 essential fatty acids that help keep your heart healthy. Based on research studies, krill oil may more effectively reduce cholesterol levels than fish oil, but larger studies are needed to fully confirm these findings. If you suffer from high cholesterol levels and are considering taking krill oil, talk to your doctor first.

Types of Cholesterol

There are a few different types of cholesterol, and all have to be well controlled for optimal health. High levels of LDL or "bad "cholesterol lead to build ups of fat inside the wall of the arteries. By blocking the blood flow in arteries, LDL cholesterol increases the risk for heart disease. The higher the LDL blood level is, the higher is the risk to develop heart attack. On the other hand HDL or good cholesterol helps prevent the blockage of arteries. The higher is HDL level, the healthier your heart is. Triglycerides are another type of fat that may increase the risk of heart disease if their blood levels are too high. In research studies, krill oil appears to promote healthy levels of HDL, LDL and triglycerides.

Research

Krill oil is effective for the management of high cholesterol blood levels by dramatically decreasing total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides, and increasing HDL levels, states a research team from McGill University, Montreal, Canada. The study was published in December 2004 issue of "Alternative Medicine Review-A Journal of Clinical Therapeutic." The study involved 120 volunteers and the benefits of krill and fish oils were assessed compared to placebo. The authors found that at lower and equal doses, krill oil was significantly more effective than fish oil for improving cholesterol levels and also reduced glucose levels. Thus, it appears that krill oil may be beneficial for people with high cholesterol who also suffer from diabetes. The benefits of krill oil for improving cholesterol levels are also strongly supported by Joseph Mercola, DO and author of "Take Control of Your Health".

Dosage

Depending on your body mass index or BMI, a health practitioner will recommend a daily dose of krill oil between 1 to 3g per day to improve your cholesterol levels. Research studies evaluated the effects of krill oil after 90 days of daily use of this supplement.

Considerations

Consult a qualified medical professional to find out the exact dose of krill oil that you need to achieve healthy cholesterol levels and to learn about possible side effects and drug interactions. Krill oil may cause allergic reactions in susceptible people. Keep in mind that krill oil does not replace any conventional cholesterol lowering agents.