Overview

Krill oil is oil from a tiny, shrimp-like animal. Baleen whales, mantas, and whale sharks eat primarily krill. In Norwegian, the word "krill" means "whale food." People extract the oil from krill, place it in capsules, and use it for medicine. Some brand name krill oil products indicate that they use Antarctic krill. This usually refers to the species of krill called Euphausia superba.

Krill oil is most commonly taken by mouth for heart disease, high levels of certain blood fats (triglycerides), and high cholesterol, but there is limited scientific research to support these uses. It is also used for dry eyes.

Classification

Is a Form Of:

Oil from tiny, shrimp-like animal

Primary Functions:

Heart disease

Also Known As:

Aceite de Krill, Acide Docosahexaénoïque, Acides Gras Oméga 3, Acides Gras N-3

How Does It Work?

Krill oil contains fatty acids similar to fish oil. These fats are thought to be beneficial fats that decrease swelling, lower cholesterol, and make blood platelets less sticky. When blood platelets are less sticky they are less likely to form clots.

Uses

• Dry eyes.Research shows that taking krill oil by mouth for about 3 months improves symptoms of dry eyes such as redness and unstable tear film.

Recommended Dosing

ADULTS

BY MOUTH:

• For dry eyes: Krill oil (Nutra-Life OceanClean red krill oil) providing 945 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and 510 mg of docosahexaenoic acid daily for 90 days has been used.

Krill Oil Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What is krill oil good for?

Krill oil contains fatty acids similar to fish oil. These fats are thought to be beneficial fats that decrease swelling, lower cholesterol, and make blood platelets less sticky. When blood platelets are less sticky they are less likely to form clots.

What is the best krill oil supplement?

Krill oil is often sold in bulk, and the capsule size and potency vary widely from brand to brand. Our top pick is BulkSupplements' Pure Krill Oil Softgels, which have the same potency as high-end name brands but with the economic appeal of supplements sold in bulk.

Which is better krill oil or fish oil?

While fish oil and krill oil are both excellent sources of EPA and DHA, some studies suggest that the body may absorb and use the fatty acids in krill oil better than those in fish oil. Both treatments increased blood levels of EPA and DHA by the same amount, even though the dose of krill oil was lower.

How much krill oil should I take daily?

Unlike fish oil, it also contains astaxanthin. Unfortunately, it also comes with a significantly higher price tag. Health organizations typically recommend an intake of 250–500 mg per day of DHA and EPA combined (26). However, more studies are needed before an ideal dosage of krill oil can be recommended.

Who should not take krill oil?

This is because omega-3 fats can have an anti-clotting effect at high doses, although current evidence suggests this may not be harmful. Krill oil has not been studied for safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding. You should also avoid taking krill oil if you have a seafood allergy.

Is krill oil bad for your liver?

It has been suggested that hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction plays a key role in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. . The research team concluded that krill oil can reverse the negative effects of a high-fat diet by restoring a proper mitochondrial energetic metabolism.

What are the side effects of krill oil?

The most common side effects of krill oil are stomach-related and similar to those of fish oil. These effects include stomach discomfort, decreased appetite, taste change, heartburn, fishy burps, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and nausea.

Does krill oil help you lose weight?

However, the evidence so far suggests that krill oil is an effective source of omega-3 fats that offers several science-based benefits. Noom helps you adopt healthy habits so you can lose weight and keep it off. Your program is customized to your goals and fitness needs.

How long should you take krill oil?

Taking a specific krill oil product twice daily for 12 weeks appears to lower triglycerides in people with high triglyceride levels. But the change in triglyceride levels varies among people.

Is krill oil good for your eyes?

Patients with arcus and Hollenhorst plaque resulting from elevated cholesterol and those suffering from ocular allergies may benefit from omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.

Is krill oil good for your skin?

They help strengthen the skin's barrier function for better hydration, suppleness and elasticity. In krill oil, vitamins A and E also help improve the beauty and overall appearance of the skin. They act as antioxidants against the harmful effects of free radicals and other substances found in skin tissues.

Does krill oil help brain function?

Research suggests that krill oil, with its natural astaxanthin content, might deliver a supportive antioxidant effect to help protect and sustain normal brain function.

Is krill oil good for hair loss?

Omega-3s give hair a healthy shine

Scientific research suggests that Omega-3s can help boost hair growth and reduce hair loss. Early evidence suggests that the types of Omega-3s found in Krill Oil are more bioavailable than fish oil products.

Can you take krill oil long term?

Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Krill Oil should not be used in patients with a fish or shrimp allergy, or probably any other type of seafood. Marine Oils, such as Krill Oil, is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control.

Does krill oil interact with any medications?

Like other omega-3 fatty acids, krill oil may make bleeding more likely. It could interact with medicines such as blood thinners and anti-platelet drugs. And it may lower blood glucose levels, so talk to your doctor before using if you take and medicines for diabetes.

Does krill oil increase cholesterol?

Krill oil also contains a phospholipid, which is more easily absorbed by your body than fish oil. Research published in Pharmacy & Therapeutics found that a daily dose of 1 to 3 grams of krill oil lowered total cholesterol and triglycerides more effectively than the same dose of regular fish oil.

Is krill oil worth the money?

While krill oil may share and even exceed many of fish oil's health benefits, it comes at a higher cost. Because of expensive harvesting and processing methods, krill oil can often be as much as 10 times more expensive than fish oil. However, fish oil isn't just cheaper.

Can you take krill oil every day?

Health organizations typically recommend an intake of 250–500 mg per day of DHA and EPA combined (26). However, more studies are needed before an ideal dosage of krill oil can be recommended. You should also avoid taking krill oil if you have a seafood allergy.

Does Krill Oil replace fish oil?

Your Body May Absorb Krill Oil Better

While fish oil and krill oil are both excellent sources of EPA and DHA, some studies suggest that the body may absorb and use the fatty acids in krill oil better than those in fish oil. The fatty acids in fish oil are found in the form of triglycerides.

Can I take krill oil on an empty stomach?

However, it is recommended to take a fish oil supplement with a meal, because taking any supplement on an empty stomach can cause some people to feel nauseous. Fat-soluble supplements – which fish oil supplements are – are also better absorbed with a meal. 8.

Does krill oil cause blood thinning?

Also, omega-3 supplements, such as krill oil and fish oil, have the potential to interact negatively with blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin (Coumadin). This is because omega-3 fatty acids have mild anticoagulant or blood-thinning effects.

Is krill oil a good anti inflammatory?

Omega-3 fatty acids like those found in krill oil have been shown to have important anti-inflammatory functions in the body. In addition, a study of 90 people with chronic inflammation found that taking 300 mg of krill oil daily was enough to reduce a marker of inflammation by up to 30% after one month.

Clinical Studies

• ^ a b c d e f g h i Tou JC, Jaczynski J, Chen YC. Krill for human consumption: nutritional value and potential health benefits. Nutr Rev. (2007)
• ^ Maki KC, et al. Krill oil supplementation increases plasma concentrations of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in overweight and obese men and women. Nutr Res. (2009)
• ^ Saether O, Ellingsen TE, Mohr V. Lipids of North Atlantic krill. J Lipid Res. (1986)
• ^ Lipid conversion factors for calculating fatty acid contents of foods.
• ^ a b c d e f Lipid composition of two species of antarctic krill: Euphausia superba and E. crystallorophias.
• ^ a b c d Lipid composition of fresh and frozen-stored krill.
• ^ a b Schuchardt JP, et al. Incorporation of EPA and DHA into plasma phospholipids in response to different omega-3 fatty acid formulations--a comparative bioavailability study of fish oil vs. krill oil. Lipids Health Dis. (2011)
• ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Ulven SM, et al. Metabolic effects of krill oil are essentially similar to those of fish oil but at lower dose of EPA and DHA, in healthy volunteers. Lipids. (2011)
• ^ a b c Krill-derived Phospholipids Rich in n-3 Fatty Acid Improve Spatial Memory in Adult Rats.
• ^ a b Winther B, et al. Elucidation of phosphatidylcholine composition in krill oil extracted from Euphausia superba. Lipids. (2011)
• ^ Le Grandois J, et al. Investigation of natural phosphatidylcholine sources: separation and identification by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS2) of molecular species. J Agric Food Chem. (2009)
• ^ a b c Zhou L, et al. Determination of phosphatidylethanolamine molecular species in various food matrices by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS2). Anal Bioanal Chem. (2012)
• ^ Zhou L, et al. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of sphingomyelin species from calf brain, ox liver, egg yolk, and krill oil. J Agric Food Chem. (2012)
• ^ a b c d Bunea R, El Farrah K, Deutsch L. Evaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the clinical course of hyperlipidemia. Altern Med Rev. (2004)
• ^ a b Moretti VM, et al. Determination of astaxanthin stereoisomers and colour attributes in flesh of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) as a tool to distinguish the dietary pigmentation source. Food Addit Contam. (2006)
• ^ a b Natural occurrence of enantiomeric and Meso astaxanthin 7-crustaceans including zooplankton.
• ^ a b BATHAM E, et al. Performed vitamin A in marine Crustacea. Biochem J. (1951)
• ^ Vitamin A and carotenoids in certain invertebrates. III. Euphausiacea.
• ^ a b [No authors listed. Krill oil. Monograph. Altern Med Rev. (2010)
• ^ a b Fluoride in tissues of Krill Euphausia superba Dana and Meganyctiphanes norvegica M. Sars in relation to the moult cycle.
• ^ Possibilities Of Processing And Marketing Of Products Made From Antarctic Krill Fao Fisheries Technical Paper 268 (1985).
• ^ Tenuta-Filho A, Alvarenga RC. Reduction of the bioavailability of fluoride from Antarctic krill by calcium. Int J Food Sci Nutr. (1999)
• ^ Oxidative stability of carotenoid pigments and polyunsaturated fatty acids in microparticulate diets containing krill oil for nutrition of marine fish larvae.
• ^ Hiratsuka S, et al. Effect of dietary docosahexaenoic acid connecting phospholipids on the lipid peroxidation of the brain in mice. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). (2008)
• ^ Sipe JC, et al. Biomarkers of endocannabinoid system activation in severe obesity. PLoS One. (2010)
• ^ Di Marzo V, et al. Changes in plasma endocannabinoid levels in viscerally obese men following a 1 year lifestyle modification programme and waist circumference reduction: associations with changes in metabolic risk factors. Diabetologia. (2009)
• ^ Annuzzi G, et al. Differential alterations of the concentrations of endocannabinoids and related lipids in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese diabetic patients. Lipids Health Dis. (2010)
• ^ a b Piscitelli F, et al. Effect of dietary krill oil supplementation on the endocannabinoidome of metabolically relevant tissues from high-fat-fed mice. Nutr Metab (Lond). (2011)
• ^ Banni S, et al. Krill oil significantly decreases 2-arachidonoylglycerol plasma levels in obese subjects. Nutr Metab (Lond). (2011)
• ^ Banni S, Di Marzo V. Effect of dietary fat on endocannabinoids and related mediators: consequences on energy homeostasis, inflammation and mood. Mol Nutr Food Res. (2010)
• ^ a b Wibrand K, et al. Enhanced cognitive function and antidepressant-like effects after krill oil supplementation in rats. Lipids Health Dis. (2013)
• ^ Nishioka Y, et al. The antianxiety-like effect of astaxanthin extracted from Paracoccus carotinifaciens. Biofactors. (2011)
• ^ Zhang X, et al. Impact of astaxanthin-enriched algal powder of Haematococcus pluvialis on memory improvement in BALB/c mice. Environ Geochem Health. (2007)
• ^ a b Current Status of the Etiology and Management of Dysmenorrhea in Adolescence.
• ^ Priddy AR, Killick SR. Eicosanoids and ovulation. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. (1993)
• ^ a b Sampalis F, et al. Evaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the management of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea. Altern Med Rev. (2003)
• ^ Fosshaug LE, et al. Krill oil attenuates left ventricular dilatation after myocardial infarction in rats. Lipids Health Dis. (2011)
• ^ Bloomer RJ, et al. Effect of a 21 day Daniel Fast on metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk factors in men and women. Lipids Health Dis. (2010)
• ^ Bloomer RJ, et al. A 21 day Daniel Fast improves selected biomarkers of antioxidant status and oxidative stress in men and women. Nutr Metab (Lond). (2011)
• ^ Trepanowski JF, et al. A 21-day Daniel fast with or without krill oil supplementation improves anthropometric parameters and the cardiometabolic profile in men and women. Nutr Metab (Lond). (2012)
• ^ a b Ierna M, et al. Supplementation of diet with krill oil protects against experimental rheumatoid arthritis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. (2010)
• ^ Deutsch L. Evaluation of the effect of Neptune Krill Oil on chronic inflammation and arthritic symptoms. J Am Coll Nutr. (2007)
• ^ a b Ferramosca A, et al. A krill oil supplemented diet suppresses hepatic steatosis in high-fat fed rats. PLoS One. (2012)
• ^ a b Tandy S, et al. Dietary krill oil supplementation reduces hepatic steatosis, glycemia, and hypercholesterolemia in high-fat-fed mice. J Agric Food Chem. (2009)
• ^ Li DM, et al. Effects of krill oil intake on plasma cholesterol and glucose levels in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet. J Sci Food Agric. (2013)
• ^ a b Burri L, et al. Differential effects of krill oil and fish oil on the hepatic transcriptome in mice. Front Genet. (2011)
• ^ Vigerust NF, et al. Krill oil versus fish oil in modulation of inflammation and lipid metabolism in mice transgenic for TNF-. Eur J Nutr. (2012)
• ^ Ferramosca A, Conte L, Zara V. A krill oil supplemented diet reduces the activities of the mitochondrial tricarboxylate carrier and of the cytosolic lipogenic enzymes in rats. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). (2012)
• ^ Grimstad T, et al. Dietary supplementation of krill oil attenuates inflammation and oxidative stress in experimental ulcerative colitis in rats. Scand J Gastroenterol. (2012)