Krill oil – what is it for, benefits, harm and how to use it!
Krill Oil – What is it for, Benefits, Harm and How to Use it! In addition, Krill Oil is rich in vitamins and minerals essential to health.
Are you looking to lose a few pounds, improve your skin, or keep your brain sharp? You can take Krill Oil . Rich in omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants , the potential benefits of Krill Oil are quite impressive.
Krill oil has gained widespread popularity in recent years as a safe and healthy alternative to fish oil . The benefits of Krill Oil versus fish oil are nearly identical, but Krill Oil is more bioavailable, more sustainable, and less likely to be contaminated by mercury or heavy metals .
So what is Krill Oil made of , how can it affect health, and how can you add it to your daily routine? Let’s take a look.
Krill Oil What is it?
Commercial krill fishing dates back to the 1970s, and Krill Oil was originally approved as a nutraceutical supplement by the US Food and Drug Administration nearly 20 years ago, in 1999. Still, Krill Oil only gained traction in the United States. recent years as a sustainable alternative to fish oil.
Antarctic krill is one of the most abundant animal species on Earth, with scientists estimating that there are around 500 million tonnes found in the Southern Ocean. Female krill can lay up to 10,000 eggs at a time and can lay eggs multiple times each season.
Krill are also incredibly resilient. During the winter, when food is scarce, they are able to find other sources of food, such as algae that grow under the surface of the ice, on the seafloor, or even on other animals. In difficult times, krill can survive up to 200 days without food.
However, krill is also an essential part of our ecological community. As many other species depend on krill for survival, organizations help sustain the delicate balance of the ocean’s ecosystem by setting krill catch limits to prevent overfishing.
What is Krill Oil for?
Krill Oil is a supplement extracted from a species of Antarctic krill , which is a small shrimp -like crustacean found in the Southern Ocean. Situated at the bottom of the food chain, krill feed mainly on phytoplankton or microscopic seaweed .
Krill oil contains a highly concentrated amount of omega-3 fatty acids , which have been linked to an extensive list of health benefits, from reduced inflammation to a reduced risk of chronic disease. In addition to omega-3 fatty acids, Krill Oil also contains fatty acids derived from phospholipids, as well as astaxanthin, a potent carotenoid revered for its antioxidant properties .
Take a look at any of the Krill Oil reviews online and you will see the powerful effect this supplement can have on your health. Krill oil benefits range from strengthening bones and joints to boosting brain health and much more.
Health Benefits of Krill Oil:
Benefits of Krill Oil to Fight Inflammation:
Acute inflammation is a normal immune response that can help protect your body from foreign invaders. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, can contribute to a number of health problems, including obesity , diabetes , heart disease , and even cancer .
Krill oil is rich in omega 3 fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
According to a study from the University of Tehran in Iran, supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids for just eight weeks was able to significantly reduce the levels of inflammatory markers in the blood.
Krill oil also contains astaxanthin, a natural pigment that can fight free radicals that cause chronic inflammation.
In addition to reducing the risk of chronic disease, the anti-inflammatory properties of Krill Oil can have far-reaching benefits that extend to almost every aspect of health, from reducing aging to protecting against certain autoimmune problems.
Benefits of Krill Oil for Heart Health:
Whether you’re looking to lower your cholesterol levels or simply keep your heart in perfect shape, Krill Oil can help. This oil is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to reduced inflammation, decreased risk of heart disease, and improved cardiovascular function.
A 2015 study highlighted the benefits of Krill Oil for heart health in people with diabetes . Researchers found that taking 1,000 milligrams of Krill Oil reduced several risk factors for heart disease and even increased HDL cholesterol levels.
Meanwhile, other studies have shown that the omega-3 fatty acids found in krill oil can reduce heart rate and blood pressure, lower high triglycerides , and lower the risk of coronary heart disease . Clearly, the omega-3 content plays a huge role in the heart benefits of krill oil.
Benefits of Krill Oil for Skin Health:
From acne to dermatitis , inflammation is at the root of many common skin conditions. One of the main benefits of Krill Oil for skin health is its amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which have the ability to relieve inflammation and keep the skin glowing.
In a study in South Korea, supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids was found to reduce inflammatory acne in 42% of cases.
Another animal study also showed that DHA and EPA, two types of omega-3 fatty acids found in Krill Oil , were able to block the production of a specific molecule involved in inflammation, aiding in the treatment of conditions like atopic dermatitis .
Krill oil also contains astaxanthin, which can further improve skin health. According to a 2009 study, oral supplementation along with topical application of astaxanthin reduced age spots and wrinkles while improving skin texture and moisture content.
Krill Oil X Fish Oil:
Both Krill Oil and Fish Oil are rich in beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA. Therefore, the benefits of Krill Oil versus Fish Oil for cholesterol, arthritis , skin health, and other conditions are quite comparable.
The main benefit of Krill Oil over fish oil is its absorption capacity. In fact, a plethora of studies have compared the bioavailability of fish oil versus krill oil over the years.
A major review out of Norway, for example, compiled the results of 14 studies and showed that DHA and EPA, found in Krill Oil , were more bioavailable than fish oil .
Plus, Krill Oil contains the added bonus of astaxanthin, a carotenoid found in a variety of foods with powerful antioxidant properties .
Also known as “the king of carotenoids,” astaxanthin’s ability to fight free radicals is estimated to be 6,000 times greater than vitamin C , 550 times greater than vitamin E , and 40 times greater than beta-carotene .
Krill oil is also believed to be purer, with lower levels of mercury and heavy metals than fish oil. Since krill consume algae, they are much less likely to accumulate high amounts of these contaminants than other types of fish.
Finally, Krill Oil is considered a more sustainable source of omega-3 fatty acids than fish oil. That’s because Antarctic krill are one of the most abundant animal species on Earth.
Choosing krill oil over fish oil can help ensure you’re not contributing to unsustainable and harmful practices like overfishing.
Where to Find and How to Use Krill Oil?
Krill oil is widely available at most pharmacies, health food stores, and online retailers, often alongside fish oil and other omega-3 fatty acid supplements.
Buy from a reputable and reputable brand, and look for supplements that contain a high amount of EPA and DHA with minimal added ingredients to ensure you get the best Krill Oil supplement .
When starting out, start with a low dose of Krill Oil and slowly increase your consumption over the next few days to assess your tolerance and minimize any potential negative side effects.
Taking Krill Oil with a meal can also reduce some of the negative symptoms, such as belching or a fishy taste. You can consume it at any time of the day, but many people prefer to have it first thing in the morning alongside a healthy breakfast.
Kril Oil Dosage :
Want to know how much you need to maximize the benefits of Krill Oil? Most studies use a dose of 1,000 to 3,000 milligrams of Krill Oil per day, although this amount can vary widely based on the amount of EPA and DHA present in your supplement.
In general, however, most health organizations seem to agree that lower doses, from 250 to 500 milligrams combined with EPA and DHA, can be beneficial for most health issues.
Look carefully at your supplement label to check the amount of EPA and DHA; even if a supplement contains 1,000 milligrams of Krill Oil , the amount of EPA and DHA can be much lower.
Also, start with a smaller dose and increase the pace. Not only does this ensure that you are able to tolerate Krill Oil , it can also reduce your risk of unpleasant symptoms such as belching and nausea .
Krill Oil Disadvantages:
The omega-3 fatty acids found in Krill Oil can slow blood clotting. If you take blood thinners like warfarin , talk to your doctor before taking Krill Oil , as this can interfere with the effectiveness of your medications.
Also, you may need to stop using Krill Oil at least two weeks before undergoing surgery to avoid side effects.
If you are allergic to shellfish or seafood , you should definitely not use Krill Oil . If you have a shellfish allergy, you should also avoid taking Krill Oil until you talk to your doctor.
Watch out for food allergy symptoms , such as abdominal pain, bloating , itching, or hives , and report any side effects to a trusted healthcare professional.
Common Krill Oil side effects include heartburn , nausea, bad breath , indigestion , stomach discomfort, belching, and fishy taste. These problems are especially common at the beginning of Krill Oil intake and gradually subside over time.
To minimize symptoms, opt for a high quality pharmaceutical grade Krill Oil , take with a meal, start with a low dose and slowly increase consumption.
Final Thoughts on Krill Oil:
Krill Oil is extracted from a species of Antarctic krill, a shrimp-like crustacean found in abundance throughout the Southern Ocean.
In addition to being loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, Krill Oil is also rich in astaxanthin-derived fatty acids and phospholipids, which help in providing a number of benefits to Krill Oil .
Krill oil benefits include reduced inflammation, improvements in heart, skin and brain health, stronger bones and joints, and increased weight loss . It may also be associated with a lower risk of certain types of cancer.
Compared to fish oil, krill oil is more absorbable, less likely to be contaminated by heavy metals, and considered more sustainable.
For best results, aim to get between 250 and 500 milligrams of EPA and DHA daily, whether from Krill Oil, fish oil, or whole foods.