Krill -- a shrimp-like crustacean -- forms an important link in the food chain and comprises the majority of the diets of large sea animals, including whales. Krill, which consume phytoplankton, contain large quantities of omega-3 oils. Scientific research has revealed considerable health benefits of krill oil for a variety of conditions.
Inflammation
Krill oil compared favorably with fish oil in a study on rheumatoid arthritis published in the June 2010 issue of the journal "BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders." In the study on laboratory mice, a krill oil diet containing 0.44 g per 100 g of the essential fatty acids eicosapentanoic acid, EPA, and docosahexanoic acid, DHA significantly reduced arthritis symptoms and swelling compared to a control diet that did not contain krill oil. The krill oil diet also resulted in fewer inflammatory cells in the joints and significantly less overgrowth of joint tissue. The researchers concluded that krill oil may be of benefit in the management of inflammatory arthritis.
Short-term Effects
Krill oil reduced levels of C-reactive protein -- a blood marker for inflammation -- and improved symptoms of arthritis and cardiovascular disease, in a study published in the February 2007 issue of the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition." In the study, 90 patients with cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis took 300 mg of krill oil for 30 days. Levels of C-reactive protein decreased by 30 percent in the krill oil group. Pain scores in the krill oil group decreased by 29 percent, stiffness decreased by 20 percent and functional impairment was reduced by 23 percent. The researchers concluded that krill oil effectively relieves inflammation and arthritis symptoms within a short time frame.
PMS
Premenstrual syndrome responds well to krill oil therapy, according to a study published in the May 2003 issue of the journal "Alternative Medicine Review." In the study, three months of supplementation with krill oil reduced the amount of pain medicine the participants used. Additionally, krill oil was significantly more effective than fish oil at reducing use of painkillers in the study.
Cholesterol
Cholesterol and blood sugar levels were reduced with krill oil supplementation in the study published in the December 2004 issue of the journal "Alternative Medicine View." Over three months, 120 patients took either 1 g or 1.5 g of krill oil daily. A third group took 3 g of fish oil daily. The krill oil reduced blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein, LDL, and raised levels of high-density lipoprotein, HDL. Additionally, the krill oil was found to be significantly more effective at lowering blood sugar triglycerides and LDL than fish oil in the study.
References
- "BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders"; Supplementation of diet with krill oil protects against experimental rheumatoid arthritis. Ierna M, et al.; June 2010
- "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"; Evaluation of the effect of Neptune Krill Oil on chronic inflammation and arthritic symptoms. Deutsch L. et al.; February 2007
- "Alternative Medicine Review"; Evaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the management of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea. Sampalis F, et al., 2003
- "Alternative Medicine Review"; Evaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the clinical course of hyperlipidemia. Bunea R, et al.; 2004
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