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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- PubMed.gov: Evaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the management of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea
- PubMed.gov: Evaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the management of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea
- PubMed.gov: Fish oil for primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease
- PubMed.gov: Fish oil for primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease
- PubMed.gov: Fatty acids from fish: the anti-inflammatory potential of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids
- PubMed.gov: Fatty acids from fish: the anti-inflammatory potential of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids
- PubMed.gov: Astaxanthin, oxidative stress, inflammation and cardiovascular disease
- PubMed.gov: Astaxanthin, oxidative stress, inflammation and cardiovascular disease
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
The Medical Benefits of Krill Oil
Krill are shrimp-like marine crustaceans found in all oceans of the world. Commercial fishing of krill is conducted mainly in the Southern Ocean and in waters around Japan. Krill has been traditionally harvested to be used as bait or as feed for fish farms, however, a small proportion is now harvested for its oil. Two important nutrients found in this oil are omega-3 fatty acids and astaxanthin
Omega-3s
Like fish oil, krill oil is rich in the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, DHA. EPA and DHA are important structural components of the brain, nerves and retina and they are precursors of anti-inflammatory hormone-like substances. As discussed by researchers E.M. Roth and W.S. Harris from the University of Cincinnati, omega-3 fatty acids protect against heart disease–they recommend that people with coronary heart conditions take 1g of EPA plus DHA daily and people with high blood triglycerides should take 1 to 4 g daily.
The potent anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 fatty acids also make them a beneficial nutrient for people suffering from conditions characterized by excess inflammation 3. According to R. Wall and colleagues at the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, Ireland, omega-3-rich foods can help reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and cancer.
- Like fish oil, krill oil is rich in the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, DHA.
- The potent anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 fatty acids also make them a beneficial nutrient for people suffering from conditions characterized by excess inflammation 3.
Astaxanthin
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Astaxanthin is a carotenoid anti-oxidant and thus helps protect against the damage caused by free-radical molecules. According to R.G. Fassett and J.S. Coombes, researchers from the University of Queensland, Australia, astaxanthin can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation and may thus protect against cardiovascular disease 4. Fassett and Coombes also report that up to July 2009, all studies have shown that dietary supplementation with astaxanthin is not associated with any adverse effects.
- Astaxanthin is a carotenoid anti-oxidant and thus helps protect against the damage caused by free-radical molecules.
- According to R.G.
- Fassett and J.S.
- Coombes, researchers from the University of Queensland, Australia, astaxanthin can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation and may thus protect against cardiovascular disease 4.
Dysmenorrhea
F. Sampalis and colleagues at the University of Montreal, Canada, carried out a study investigating the effectiveness of krill oil for the management of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea 1. Dysmenorrhea is characterized by severe uterine pain during menstruation. In this study, 70 patients diagnosed with premenstrual syndrome were given either krill oil or fish oil for three months. It was found that the number of analgesics used for dysmenorrhea within the krill oil group was lower than that in the fish oil group. F. Sampalis and colleagues thus concluded that krill oil can significantly reduce dysmenorrhea and the emotional symptoms of premenstrual syndrome 1. Krill oil reduced symptoms better than fish oil.
Related Articles
References
- PubMed.gov: Evaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the management of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea
- PubMed.gov: Fish oil for primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease
- PubMed.gov: Fatty acids from fish: the anti-inflammatory potential of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids
- PubMed.gov: Astaxanthin, oxidative stress, inflammation and cardiovascular disease
- Ulven SM, Holven KB. Comparison of bioavailability of krill oil versus fish oil and health effect. Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2015;11:511‐524. doi:10.2147/VHRM.S85165
- Sun W, Shi B, Xue C, Jiang X. The comparison of krill oil extracted through ethanol-hexane method and subcritical method. Food Sci Nutr. 2019;7(2):700‐710. doi:10.1002/fsn3.914
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Omega-3 Fatty Acids Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Updated October 17, 2019.
- Ursoniu S, Sahebkar A, Serban MC, et al. Lipid-modifying effects of krill oil in humans: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutr Rev. 2017;75(5):361‐373. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuw063
- Backes JM, Howard PA. Krill Oil for Cardiovascular Risk Prevention: Is It for Real? Hosp Pharm. 2014;49(10):907‐912. doi:10.1310/hpj4910-907
- Suzuki Y, Fukushima M, Sakuraba K, Sawaki K, Sekigawa K. Krill Oil Improves Mild Knee Joint Pain: A Randomized Control Trial. PLoS One. 2016;11(10):e0162769. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0162769
- Calder PC. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory processes: nutrition or pharmacology? Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2013;75(3):645‐662. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.2012.04374.x
- Sampalis F, Bunea R, Pelland MF, Kowalski O, Duguet N, Dupuis S. Evaluation of the Effects of Neptune Krill Oil™ on the Management of Premenstrual Syndrome and Dysmenorrhea. Altern Med Rev. 2003;8(2):171‐179.
- Salem N Jr, Kuratko CN. A reexamination of krill oil bioavailability studies. Lipids Health Dis. 2014;13:137. doi:10.1186/1476-511X-13-137
- Barros MP, Poppe SC, Bondan EF. Neuroprotective Properties of the Marine Carotenoid Astaxanthin and Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Perspectives for the Natural Combination of Both in Krill Oil. Nutrients. 2014;6(3):1293‐1317. doi:10.3390/nu6031293
- American Heart Association. Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Updated March 23, 2017.
- Duke Diet & Fitness Center. Pros and Cons of Fish Oil.
Writer Bio
Manuel Attard has been writing professionally since 2009 and has written nutrition articles for the Malta Exercise, Health and Fitness Association. He is a Registered Nutritionist (U.K.) and a CYQ qualified fitness instructor. Attard has an honors Bachelor of Science in biology and chemistry from the University of Malta and a Master of Science in human nutrition from the University of Glasgow.