In this post I detail things I learned about krill oil benefits but krill oil is a nutritional supplement made by extracting fats out of sea animals generally known as krill.
Krill oil delivers Omega-3 fatty acids like fish oil, however unlike fish-oil they are primarily bound to phospholipids in place of triglycerides.
Phospholipids are the types of lipids that form cellular membranes and that is believed to be the key reason why Omega-3 fats in krill oil are more easily absorbed. Krill oil also contains an antioxidant chemical known as astaxanthin, a carotenoid antioxidant with overall health benefits.
Krill oil is primarily consumed for the Omega-3 fatty acids which have many therapeutic benefits, including improvements in cancer, heart disease, arthritis, all kinds of mental conditions, immune function, and more.
Here I am not going to discuss the health rewards of Omega-3 essential fatty acids but go through the studies where they specifically supplement with krill oil. All the health benefits that apply to Omega-3 from fish oil or food should apply to krill oil as well.
In one study, women were randomized into two groups. The groups consumed 2g every day of either krill oil or fish-oil. Krill oil was significantly more effective than fish oil for treating the signs of dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome.
A report split patients into groups. One took krill oil daily, and the other fish oil. The krill oil groups reduced total cholesterol, Low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, and increased HDL cholesterol, a lot more than the fish oil group.
They are all common risk factors for cardiovascular disease, therefore it seems plausible that krill oil may drastically reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
A randomized study sorted into two groups. One group took krill oil daily, and the other took placebo. The krill oil group decreased C-Reactive Protein by significantly while it increased within the placebo group.
It appears to be clear that krill oil is really a much more powerful source of Omega-3 than fish oil supplements, possibly because of better absorption or other nutrients in it for example the antioxidant Astaxanthin.
One more reason krill oil is preferred is that some sources of fish are contaminated. Krill is lower in the food chain and has far lower levels of toxins.
Krill oil seems to be a supplement with powerful health benefits, but I would only recommend it instead of fish-oil for individuals who may easily afford it. If money is tight, then it will be better spent on quality foods along with a membership card at the gym.