What Are The Benefits of Krill Oil?
Kobi NathanShare
Krill oil offers several health benefits, primarily due to its high content of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), as well as other bioactive components such as phospholipids and astaxanthin.
Cardiovascular Health:
Krill oil has been shown to improve lipid profiles by reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides, and increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels.
This lipid-modifying effect can help in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Anti-inflammatory Effects:
The omega-3 PUFAs in krill oil have potent anti-inflammatory properties.
These effects are beneficial in conditions such as osteoarthritis, where krill oil supplementation has been shown to reduce knee pain, stiffness, and improve physical function.
Neuroprotection:
Krill oil may offer neuroprotective benefits due to its high content of DHA and EPA, which are essential for brain health. It has been suggested to improve cognitive function and reduce neuroinflammation, potentially benefiting conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Metabolic Health:
Krill oil has been shown to have beneficial effects on metabolic syndrome, including reducing body weight, visceral fat, and improving lipid metabolism.
This can help in managing conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and atherosclerosis.
Antioxidant Properties:
The presence of astaxanthin in krill oil provides strong antioxidant effects, which can help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, contributing to overall health benefits.
In summary, krill oil supplementation can provide significant benefits in cardiovascular health, anti-inflammatory effects, neuroprotection, metabolic health, and antioxidant properties.
These benefits are supported by various clinical trials and systematic reviews.
References:
-
Lipid-Modifying Effects of Krill Oil in Humans: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Ursoniu S, Sahebkar A, Serban MC, et al. Nutrition Reviews. 2017;75(5):361-373. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuw063. - Clinical Effectiveness of Krill Oil Supplementation on Cardiovascular Health in Humans: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Huang H, Liao D, He B, Zhou G, Cui Y. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome. 2023;17(12):102909. doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2023.102909.
- Krill Oil Improved Osteoarthritic Knee Pain in Adults With Mild to Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis: A 6-Month Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Stonehouse W, Benassi-Evans B, Bednarz J, et al. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2022;116(3):672-685. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqac125.
- Can Krill Oil Be of Use for Counteracting Neuroinflammatory Processes Induced by High Fat Diet and Aging?. Andraka JM, Sharma N, Marchalant Y. Neuroscience Research. 2020;157:1-14. doi:10.1016/j.neures.2019.08.001.
- (North Pacific Krill): Review of Chemical Features and Potential Benefits of 8-Hepe Against Metabolic Syndrome, Dyslipidemia, NAFLD, and Atherosclerosis. Ishida N, Yamada H, Hirose M. Nutrients. 2021;13(11):3765. doi:10.3390/nu13113765.
- Antarctic Krill Euphausia Superba Oil Supplementation Attenuates Hypercholesterolemia, Fatty Liver, and Oxidative Stress in Diet-Induced Obese Mice. Choi JH, Park SE, Kim S. Nutrients. 2024;16(21):3614. doi:10.3390/nu16213614.
- Antarctic Krill (Euphausia Superba) Oil: A Comprehensive Review of Chemical Composition, Extraction Technologies, Health Benefits, and Current Applications. Xie D, Gong M, Wei W, et al. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety. 2019;18(2):514-534. doi:10.1111/1541-4337.12427.
- Krill Oil and Its Bioactive Components as a Potential Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Insights From in Vivo and in Vitro Studies. Liu Y, Robinson AM, Su XQ, Nurgali K. Biomolecules. 2024;14(4):447. doi:10.3390/biom14040447.