Is There Enough Scientific Research to Support Krill Oil Benefits?
Krill oil supplements are becoming increasingly popular for the prevention and treatment of many health issues. A source of powerful anti-oxidants, krill oil also contains omega-3 fatty acids as well as phospholipids that are derived from krill, tiny crustaceans found in the waters of the pristine Antarctic Ocean. Krill oil contains astaxanthin and phospholipids, which are easily absorbed and retained by the body because they help to emulsify fatty acids. If you are looking to improve your health, you may be looking for research that supports claims that krill oil is effective.
The Journal of Nutrition published a study in which researchers fed overweight rats krill oil. The rats experienced a 42% decrease in triglyceride fat buildup in their hearts. Fish oil can cause a decline in cardio lipids, but it is marginal at only 2%. The authors then examined the rats’ livers and found a 60% reduction in liver fat, while those rats that ingested fish oil tested at 38%. This indicates a potential benefit to human’s overall heart function and possible improvements in insulin sensitivity that is caused in many cases of fatty liver. The test subjects also exhibited reduced inflammatory response.
A 2008 study demonstrated heart benefits related to krill oil supplements. In this test, rats had a weight loss and drop in their bad LDL cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and total cholesterol when given krill oil. Other health conditions have also been tested. In 2007, the Journal of the American College of Nutrition conducted a study with 90 participants who had heart disease and/or osteoporosis or rheumatoid arthritis and elevated CRP levels. The patients were given krill oil or a placebo for 30 days. At the end of this time period, CRP, which is a method to measure the body’s inflammation, was tested. Users given the krill oil supplement showed a 19% drop in CRP levels by the end of the first week of treatment. The placebo group had a 16% increase in their CRP. At the end of the month, the krill oil group experienced a 31% reduction in CRP while the placebo group had a 32% rise in CRP. For those patients with arthritis, there was a significant improvement in stiffness and pain scores and a reduction in functional impairment.
A study was also conducted in 2003 on 71 women with painful menstruation and PMS. After 90 days of taking krill oil supplements, they experienced reduced discomfort, and emotional symptoms related to PMS. The experiment was tested with equal doses of fish oil and krill oil at 2g each day for the first month transitioning to 2g each day eight days before menstruation and on the first two days of each woman’s menstrual cycle.
Krill oil has been found effective in several scientific studies relating to various health related issues. It is always recommended to have a healthy diet along with exercise to achieve optimal health. If you are looking for a product to improve your health, you may want to try a dietary supplement that contains high quality krill oil. |
