Neptune Krill Oil
Arctic Pure Krill Oil
By - Message her FlagKrill Oil Benefits
Recent studies have reported on the benefits of Krill Oil supplements to:
Phospholipid form of Omega 3 Fatty Acids plus a Potent Antioxidant called Astaxanthin make Krill Oil a natural choice.
Krill Oil contains a rich supply of astaxanthin, a red pigment also found in shrimp, lobster, mussel, crab and other seafood sources. Astaxanthin is known as a very powerful antioxidant which can help rid the body of free radicals that contribute to various diseases and illnesses. Astaxanthin is also known for its anti-aging capabilities. Unlike many other antioxidants, astaxanthin crosses the blood-brain barrier, where it could theoretically protect the eye, brain and central nervous system from free radical damage.
Another advantage of Krill Oil is that the Omega 3 structure is linked together in a different form compared to fish oil. The essential fatty acids in fish oil are made up in triglyceride form, whereas krill oil is linked together in phospholipid form – the same structure as the fat cells in the human body. This makes absorption of Omega 3s faster and more complete.
Krill are shrimp-like crustaceans that are approximately 1 to 6 centimeters long. They live is the ocean, where they feed mainly on phytoplankton. They're near the bottom of the food chain and are eaten by whales, seals, penguins, squid and fish. Being on the bottom of the food chain and grown naturally in the pure waters of the Antarctic Ocean make Krill completely free of harmful contaminants, heavy metals or PCB’s.
Why Do People Use Krill Oil?
People use krill oil for the same reasons they use fish oil, flax oil or other omega-3 fatty acids. Unlike fish oil, krill oil doesn't cause fishy burps or an aftertaste, a common side effect of fish oil. Also, krill oil contains higher amounts of astaxanthin than fish oil. Here are some specific conditions for which it's used.
Cholesterol
Krill oil is being studied as a natural remedy for high cholesterol. In one study, 120 people were given krill oil, fish oil or a placebo. Krill oil reduced LDL (commonly referred to as "bad") cholesterol by 34% and increased HDL ("good") cholesterol by 43.5% compared to the placebo. In comparison, fish oil reduced LDL cholesterol by 4.6% and increased HDL cholesterol by 4.2%. Krill also lowered triglycerides.
A study published by the Alternative Medicine in December 2004 reported that Krill Oil in doses of 1-3 g/day (BMI-dependent) was found to be effective for the reduction of glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and HDL, compared to both fish oil and placebo. Scientists reported that the results of the study demonstrated within high levels of confidence that krill oil is effective for the management of hyperlipidemia by significantly reducing total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides, and increasing HDL levels. At lower and equal doses, krill oil was significantly more effective than fish oil for the reduction of glucose, triglycerides, and LDL levels. (Altern Med Rev 2004;9(4):420-428)
Findings from a study conducted at McGill University in Montreal indicate that krill oil helps lower (bad) cholesterol levels. The study examined 120 patients who were diagnosed with high cholesterol. Participants were divided into four groups: Group A was given .5 - 1.5 grams of krill oil daily; Group B was given 2 – 3 grams of krill oil daily; Group C was given 3 grams of fish oil daily and Group D was given a placebo. Findings revealed that patients taking just 500 mg of krill oil daily achieved 300 % improvement in cholesterol levels compared to patients taking 3 grams of fish oil.
Premenstrual syndrome
Research indicates a link between the lack of Omega 3 fatty acids in women and the occurrence and severity of PMS symptoms. A study conducted by the University of Montreal followed the progress of 70 women diagnosed with PMS. Patients were divided into 3 groups: krill oil, fish oil and a placebo group. Experts also took note of the dosage of pain relief medication used by participants as well as other diagnostic tests to compare the effectiveness of krill oil, fish oil and other methods used to address conditions associated with PMS. Results concluded that women taking krill oil used less pain relief medications compared to the fish oil group. Findings also revealed that krill oil "significantly reduces dysmenorrhea" and the emotional symptoms of PMS. Above all, krill oil was found "more effective than fish oils for the complete management of premenstrual symptoms."
Arthritis
A study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition examined krill oil (300 mg daily) compared to a placebo and found that krill oil was effective at reducing arthritis symptoms and inflammation. The conclusion of the report published states, “The results of the present study indicate that NKO (Neptune Krill Oil) at a daily dose of 300 mg may within a short time to reaction (7–14 days) significantly inhibit inflammation by reducing CRP as well as significantly alleviate symptoms caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Further research is required to better understand the mechanism of action and to compare the effects of NKO with other anti-inflammatory agents presently used as standard care.” Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 26, No. 1, 39-48 (2007)
Cardiovascular Health
Results from a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition reported that krill oil can significantly reduce heart-damaging inflammation. The study was conducted by measuring the presence of C-Reactive Protein (a.k.a CRP) levels in the blood. One way to measure the risk of heart damage is to examine the amount of the body's CRP levels. Participants of the study were divided into two groups; a placebo and krill oil group. During the study, CRP levels were measured three times; the beginning, seven days and 14 days. After 7 days, the placebo group's CRP levels increased by 15.7 % and after 14 days levels increased again by 32.1%. The group that had been taking 300 mg of krill oil daily reduced their CRP levels by 19.3% after seven days. After 14 days, CRP levels dropped even further by 29.7%.
Inflammation
The results of a study published in the American Journal of Nutrition highlighted the effects of krill oil on chronic inflammation and arthritic symptoms. The study was conducted by Western University in collaboration with McMaster University. Participants included 90 patients who were diagnosed with inflammatory conditions such as cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and / or osteoarthritis. Findings revealed that krill oil reduced pain by 28.9%, stiffness by 20.3% and functional impairment by 22.8%. Moreover, results indicated that krill oil "significantly inhibits inflammation and reduces arthritic symptoms within a short treatment period of 7 and 14 days."
Brain Function
A study at the University of California, Berkley, suggests that low levels of Omega 3s, particularly DHA and EPA may contribute to cognitive decline. Findings indicate that regular consumption of Omega 3s, especially sources rich in EPA and DHA (such as krill oil), can considerably improve cognitive function. Moreover, a study of 30 adults with attention difficulties showed 46% improvement in mental concentration and 48.9 % mental focus after 90 days of taking krill oil supplements. Furthermore, krill oil contains the powerful antioxidant astaxanthin, which has the rare ability to cross the blood brain barrier and rid the body of free radicals that can lead to cognitive impairment.
Anti-Aging:
ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) values are used to measure the effectiveness of antioxidants. Numerous ORAC tests have proven that krill oil effectively repairs aging cells when compared to other antioxidants. In fact, independent labs confirmed that Everest Nutrition Krill Oil contains an ORAC value of 431 while fish oil has an ORAC value of 8. Krill oil has over 50 times more ORAC power than fish oil! Research concluded that patients (particularly women) who took krill oil for three months reported significant improvement in the texture of their skin, nails and hair. Furthermore, these women reported a 60% reduction in wrinkles and fine lines and a 50% improvement in energy, stamina, mental alertness and concentration.
Overall Health:
Numerous studies prove that krill oil can improve your overall health by strengthening your immune system, optimizing kidney function, regulating the body's hormone levels, elevating your mood and emotional wellbeing, balancing blood sugar levels, regulating blood pressure levels, supporting eye health, boosting your energy AND much more! In fact, Woman's World Magazine reported: "Krill oil is so potent; women who took it for three months reported a 51% boost in energy, alertness, memory, concentration and stamina in a recent Canadian study. And almost 100% described having a greater sense of well-being and happiness -- plus a 31% reduction in aches and pains!"
Side Effects of Krill Oil over regular ordinary Fish Oil:
Conclusion:
Numerous tests and studies from around the world report that krill oil surpasses fish oil when it comes to effectiveness. Krill oil produces superior results over fish oil in improving PMS symptoms, maintaining cardiovascular health, relieving inflammation and improving cognitive function along with a slew of other benefits.
Side Effects
People with allergies to seafood shouldn't use krill oil. People with bleeding disorders shouldn't use krill oil unless under the supervision of a qualified health professional. Side effects of krill oil may include loose stools, diarrhea or indigestion.
Possible Drug Interactions
People taking blood thinners (anticoagulant or anti-platelet medication), such as aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, clopidogrel (Plavix), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve) should only use krill oil under a physician's supervision. Krill oil should also be used with caution by people taking herbs and supplements that are thought to increase the risk of bleeding, such as ginkgo biloba and garlic.
