6 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Antarctic Krill Oil

April 25, 2020

What Are The Benefits Of Antarctic Krill Oil?

Every human needs Omega-3 fatty acids for cardiovascular health, and it should be obtained through a proper healthy diet. But people prefer to rely on supplements. Fish oil capsules are widely used for this purpose, but soon after the Krill Oil has emerged as one of the best alternatives to omega-3 supplementation, the pattern had changed. The large sizes of fish capsules make them less than ideal. Krill Oil is just like fish oil. It is a source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) that provides omega-3 fats found only in marine sources.

To better understand the benefits, first, we need to learn all about Krill Oil. So, let’s begin:

What is Antarctic Krill Oil?

Krill is a tiny, shrimp-like animal. It is a food of Baleen whales, mantas, and whale sharks. In Norwegian, the word ‘Krill’ means ‘Whale Food,’ and that is why this sea creature is called Krill. The oil is extracted from Krill’s body, so it is named as Krill Oil. The oil extracted from Krill is placed in a capsule and later used as medicine.

Some brand name krill oil products indicate that they use Antarctic Krill. Not many of us know that there are 85 known species of Krill. But most krill oil is extracted from Euphausia superba (Antarctic Krill), a small, reddish-pink, shrimp-like crustacean about two inches in length found in the oceans of Antarctica.

As mentioned earlier, Antarctic Krill oil contains the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The metabolic effects of Antarctic Krill oil are similar to those of fish oil, but krill oil also provides antioxidants and phospholipids, which enhances its stability and bioavailability.

Another fact about Krill is that they are smaller and lower on the food chain compared to many other fishes. They don’t bioaccumulate toxins as other big fish do. They have less level of mercury and other contaminants than larger marine species. It is one of the reasons why more people are looking to Antarctic Krill oil over fish oil for their omega-3 needs.

How does Antarctic Krill Oil Work?

The oil mostly contains fat from live Antarctic Krill about 12-50%, depending on the season. When we eat seafood or take Krill oil, we actually taking Omega-3 acid that helps to decrease systemic inflammation, lower your cholesterol, and reduce the risk of your blood platelets forming dangerous clots in the body. Systemic inflammation can cause a lot of health issues, such as autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.

Antarctic krill oil not only provides fatty acids from EPA and DHA, but it also provides other fatty acids such as:

Arachidonic acid
Behenic acid
Lignoceric acid
Ln-9 neuronic acid
Linoleic acid
Ln-9 oleic acid
Stearic acid
Pentadecanoic acid
Palmitic acid
Myristic acid

Antarctic krill oil also helps increase the immune system and strengthen the brain and cellular health thanks to antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory. Antarctic krill oil contains vitamins A, vitamins E and B12. All these vitamins help to reduce and to prevent inflammation and supporting brain health.

Since Antarctic Krill feed on marine phytoplankton, that is why they contain astaxanthin, a carotenoid that can cross the blood-brain barrier. It helps protect your brain and central nervous system from oxidative stress.

Omega-3 fatty acids consumption has demonstrated various health benefits. These findings have been observed in studies using both increased dietary omega-3 fatty acids and supplementation. However, it is still suggested to advise your doctor before taking it.   

In this article, we will explain the six scientifically-proven benefits of Krill oil.

Let’s begin:

6 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Antarctic Krill Oil

Benefit # 1: Good for Heart Patients

Heart disease patients need extra care and medication to stay healthy. It is one of the most deadly diseases to cause a high number of deaths around the world. Omega-3 supplements like Antarctic Krill oil reduces the risk of heart diseases. It also helps cure high cholesterol levels in heart patients. It helps increase HDL (good cholesterol) levels in a person, which is associated with a lower level of heart disease.

It has been reported by the scientist that they have witnessed in a human study that Antarctic Krill oil helps to reduce C-reactive protein. C-reactive is an inflammatory marker that can predict cardiovascular issues. Some studies also show that Krill oil helps control blood pressure in humans.

Benefit # 2: Creates Healthy Brain Function

The scientist has seen that the presence of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and phospholipids in krill oil help enhance the brain function and keep a person away from stress.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) present in Krill oil is good for brain development and regeneration. Whereas, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) helps regulate the behavior and mood lighter. It also said to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Phospholipids like phosphatidylcholine components in Krill oil helps reduce stress and prevent dementia, depression, and other mental and cognitive dysfunctions.

It has been witnessed by the scientist that men and women between age 61 to 72, taking 2 grams of Krill oil daily for at least 12 weeks have improved their performance of mental calculation and working memory.

Benefit # 3: Reduce Cholesterol Level

It is scientifically proven that Krill oil helps to improve the blood lipid level by reducing LDL (bad cholesterol). It also helps to increase HDL (good cholesterol) by decreasing triglyceride levels. Krill oil is way better in increasing HDL compared to fish oil.

Benefit # 4: Reduces Inflammation

Inflammation is a process in which a body releases chemical messengers and immune cells to help to heal the process of recovery after an injury. However, in response to inactivity, obesity, high levels of blood sugar, and stress, these chemical messengers and the immune cell can become low-grade inflammation, which can cause heart diseases, arthritis, dementia, and other health issues. Krill oil helps you avoid inflammation in your body, thus protecting you from all such diseases.

A study showed that 90% of the patients started taking Krill oil reduced inflammatory makers. These patients witness reduced stiffness, impairment, and pain in their bodies after taking Krill oil.

Benefit # 5: Help Suppress Cancer Cell Growth in the Body

The same study showed that Omega-3 fatty acids in Krill oil might help to inhibit human osteosarcoma cell proliferation and induce apoptosis (cell death) in human colorectal cancer cells. The performance of Krill oil in terms of preventing the growth of a cancer cell is the same as to doxorubicin, a conventional chemotherapy drug.

Benefit # 6: Enhance Gut Health

Krill oil help alter human’s gut microbiome for the better. It helps to reduce intestinal inflammation, restoring integrity to the lining of your gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) and improving wound healing.

In a human study conducted by the scientist at NCBI, Krill oil reduced effectively oxidative stress, colon inflammation, and cell damage after a dose of 2 grams for three months. The effects of Krill oil on the microbiome and other health markers are impeccable. Krill oil also helps to reduce high triglycerides, high cholesterol, and obesity. Even if you eat junk food, it has been proven by the study that a regular dose of Krill oil will keep your BDL low and HDL high. The same study also showed that Krill oil helps in wound healing, increases cell survival, and reduce bacterial invasion in the body.

As per some scientists, Antarctic Krill oil can also help in gaining mass for lean muscles. It is good for resistance training. Here are the findings of the study:

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 21 healthy participants, three grams of daily krill oil during an eight-week resistance training program increased lean muscle mass and strength levels in participants who received the supplement.

So, these are some of the highlighted scientifically-proven benefits of Krill oil, which will keep you safe and healthy from the heart and mental disease. It will also keep your cholesterol and blood pressure under control and increase your healing powers. Krill oil is also considered a medication for Dry Eyes that can result in blindness.

If you are unaware of ways to take Krill oil, here is something you should know.

How to Take Antarctic Krill Oil Dosage?

Antarctic krill oil comes in capsules form, which are smaller than the fish capsules. It is as bad in taste as fish capsules and doesn’t cause fish burps after taking it. The best time to take your Antarctic Krill oil capsules is before a meal. You need to check with your doctor if a single dose of Antarctic Krill oil is good for you, or should you divide it into equal two doses a day?

According to the American Heart Association, 250-500 milligrams of combined EPA and DHA is good enough for a day. But many scientists have proven that 300 milligrams and three grams of krill oil, providing approximately 45-450 milligrams combined EPA and DHA is good for a day.

If you are not a heart patient and taking antarctic krill oil for the overall wellness of your body, then take 3 grams a day. But, if you are taking it as an anti-inflammatory, then you should start with 300 milligrams a day.

Check Out This Antarctic Krill Oil Supplement On Amazon