Krill oil is extracted from shrimp-like crustaceans called krill and contains a host of nutrients, from vitamin E to canthaxanthin. In addition, krill oil is a rich source of the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentanoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexanoic acid, or DHA. Evidence suggests krill oil does work and can provide numerous benefits to overall health. Consult your health care provider before taking krill oil supplements.
Hyperlipidemia
Hyperlipidemia is a condition in which you have significant levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. Over time, hyperlipidemia can increase your risk for heart disease and chronic inflammation. Scientists at McGill University in Canada observed that hyperlipidemia patients consuming 1 to 3 g of krill oil daily for 90 days experienced decreases in both cholesterol and triglycerides compared with those ingesting a placebo, according to findings reported in the December 2004 issue of "Alternative Medicine Review."
C-Reactive Protein and Arthritic Symptoms
Arthritis patients often have high levels of C-reactive protein, a protein found in your blood that is an indicator of inflammation in your body. Scientists in Canada discovered that arthritic patients consuming 300 mg of krill oil daily for 30 days experienced decreases in C-reactive protein and reductions in arthritic symptoms. The findings were reported in the February 2007 issue of the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition."
Endocannabinoids
The endocannabinoid system is involved in regulating energy expenditure and food intake in your body. Overweight and obese people usually have high levels of endocannabinoids in their blood, which can contribute to fat mass and overeating. Scientists at the Universita di Cagliari in Italy reported in the January 2011 issue of "Nutrition and Metabolism" that overweight subjects taking 2 g of krill oil daily for four weeks experienced decreases in endocannabinoids, especially 2-arachidonoylglycerol, in their blood compared with those consuming menhaden oil.
Interactions
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the omega-3 fatty acids found in krill oil might interact with certain medications, including blood-thinning medications, cholesterol-lowering medications and cyclosporine. Consult your health care provider before taking krill oil supplements.
References
- "Alternative Medicine Review"; "Evaluation of the Effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the Clinical Course of Hyperlipidemia"; R. Bunea et al; December 2004
- "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"; "Evaulation of the Effect of Neptune Krill Oil on Chronic Inflammation and Arthritic Symptoms"; L. Deutsch; February 2007
- "Nutrition and Metabolism"; "Krill Oil Significantly Decreases 2-Arachidonoylglycerol Plasma Levels in Obese Subjects"; S. Banni et al; January 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; "Omega-3 Fatty Acids"; 2011
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