oils and fats

Krill oil

Generality

Krill oil is a dietary food, used exclusively as a food supplement.

It is an oily product (therefore lipid) very rich in omega three essential fatty acids (ω3); in particular, it contains mainly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

What is krill?

Krill (a term of North-European origin) is a collection of different invertebrate animal species (mainly crustaceans), included in the order Euphausiacea.

Basically it is zooplankton, which, associating with phytoplankton, to other microorganisms (unicellular algae, protozoa, etc.), larvae, and complex organisms such as jellyfish or multicellular algae, constitutes the plankton.

Plankton (therefore also krill) is a food source necessary for the survival of numerous marine species such as: cetaceans, sharks, whales, blue fish and water birds.

The marine food chain starts from phytoplankton (which is perpetuated using nutrients dissolved in water, gases and sunlight), in turn eaten by the zooplankton which also includes krill.

Krill is the second step in the marine food chain.

Krill oil: characteristics

There are several reasons why krill oil is considered one of the best omega 3 supplements; let's see the main ones:

  1. Krill is one of the first links in the marine food chain; therefore, the possible (and in my opinion inevitable) contamination by mercury and / or dioxin is not aggravated by the longevity of the species, which instead concerns other marine creatures.

    It seems logical to some experts that by increasing the size of the creature (such as tuna), the levels of mercury accumulation also increase; however, I believe these are better sustainable arguments through chemical-food analysis studies (BODY-BURDEN phenomenon).

  2. Krill oil, in spite of other supplements or edible oils derived from vegetables (linseed oil, soy oil, grape seed oil etc.), contains above all omega three eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA - 20: 5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA - 20: 6 n-3), two molecules that, unlike the alpha-linolenic acid plant precursor (ALA - 18: 3 n-3), are highly available and biologically active.
  3. Furthermore, krill oil guarantees the presence of a considerable quantity of antioxidants; among these it is possible to distinguish good quantities of retinol (vitamin A), tocopherols (vitamin E) and anstaxanthina (a particular carotenoid, therefore a precursor of vit A).

    The antioxidant potential of krill oil is significantly higher than that of vegetable oils and also those extracted from fish (cod liver and salmon). This incredible antioxidant power (estimated several tens of times higher than that of other products on the market) may not have real efficacy if the supply already supplies sufficient quantities to cover its needs; however, even in this case, antioxidants contribute to increasing the conservation and stability potential of the product.

  4. Krill oil also contains excellent amounts of phosphatidylcholine, a phospholipid bound to choline and strongly present on the surface of cell membranes; phosphatidylcholine is the main constituent of lecithin, an IPOcolesterolemic molecule (also contained in egg yolk, soy and legumes in general etc.) which in the food industry represents a common emulsifying additive (E322).

Product quality

Krill oil is considered one of the best omega 3 dietary supplements.

This is because, in addition to containing very significant levels of EPA and DHA, it contains the lowest level of pollutants.

This value is due both to the small dimensions and to the low position it assumes in the food chain.

To simplify the concept: EPA and DHA are synthesized ex novo by algae and above all by microscopic ones that are part of phytoplankton. The krill feeds on these algae enriched with omega three; in turn it is absorbed by small fishes of which larger organisms are fed and so on (large animals such as whales are exceptions because they feed directly on krill).

Most contaminants (heavy metals, dioxins, etc.) are soluble in fats and tend to accumulate in the tissues of living beings. The larger the size and the life cycle of the marine organism, the greater the accumulation of pollutants. Large specimens (such as tuna and swordfish) work more or less like a "filter" and their adipose tissue represents a "reservoir" of pollutants. Distilling an oil rich in omega 3 from these tissues it is likely that the percentage of mercury, dioxins, etc. is high. On the contrary, the krill contains an exponentially lower percentage and the extracted oil seems much more "clean" (as well as that of alga).

However, the qualitative assessment of an omega three supplement does not stop there.

There are also other parameters to be taken into account. For example:

  • Sustainability
  • Quantity and integrity of omega 3
  • Integrity or conservation status.

Regarding the quantity of omega three and the state of preservation, krill oil is considered an excellent product (rich in EPA and DHA, which remain active thanks to the high percentage of natural antioxidants).

As for eco-sustainability, instead, it leaves something to be desired.

Krill as a source of income

The krill is present in an almost ubiquitous way in the waters of the whole globe; its density reaches the highest levels with low temperatures, therefore the ideal habitat of these small crustaceans is represented by the northern seas.

Nevertheless, the country that makes the most profit is Japan. The Japanese fish krill in the southern waters of the island, through a highly specific method.

The global krill sampling (used mostly for animal feed in aquacultures, as bait for fishing and for the pharmaceutical industry or food supplements) amounts to 150-200, 000 tons per year.

Only in Japan and eastern Russia, krill is a food resource for humans in the form of "okiami".

Indications

When to use krill oil?

It is advisable to supplement with krill oil only if necessary, for example:

  1. In case of incorrect power supply
  2. In the presence of dysmetabolic diseases that can negatively affect health status, raising the risk of cardiovascular compromise (atherosclerosis, thrombosis, stroke, etc.)
  3. When the need increases (pregnancy, lactation and in the first two years of life - to promote the development of the nervous system and the eyes)
  4. If the metabolic capacity to produce EPA and DHA decreases starting from ALA (old age, cortisone therapies, etc.).

Property and Effectiveness

What benefits has krill oil shown during the studies?

The therapeutic use of krill oil refers mainly to the beneficial properties of the omega3 essential fatty acids EPA and DHA, and to the antioxidant potential of the vitamins contained in it (vit. A, vit. E and anstaxanthina).

The scientific studies carried out on krill oil are quantitatively lower than those for fish oil. However, by containing the same nutritional principles and even in higher quantities, we could define the following.

KRILL OIL AND DYSLIPIDEMIES

Krill oil lends itself to the treatment of those who suffer or are prone to dyslipidemia, in particular hypertriglyceridemia (blood triglycerides> 200 or worse> 500 mg / dl); the evidence on hypercholesterolemia seems to be of little significance and contradictory.

KRILL OIL AND HYPERTENSION

Krill oil is very useful in contrasting primary arterial hypertension (value> 130-139 on 85-89 mmHg).

The hypotensive effect of omega three is also visible in healthy subjects.

KRILLE OIL AND DIABETES

Krill oil can improve the dyslipidemia created by type 2 diabetes mellitus.

It has no significant effects on blood sugar, but it can hinder the damage caused by the excessive and chronic increase in this parameter.

KRILL OIL AND CARDIO-VASCULAR-CEREBRAL DISEASES

Although many studies offer discordant results, research institutes believe that the dietary increase in EPA and DHA (especially in the very long term) may play a preventive role in heart attack and stroke (for the latter, the statistical correlation is more weak).

KRILL OIL AND INFLAMMATORY DISEASES

It can be useful in people who are in clinical conditions characterized by chronic and systemic inflammation (arthritis, chronic bowel diseases, etc.).

However it must be admitted that, although the anti-inflammatory capacity of the omega three and of the antioxidants contained in krill oil is known, the scientific evidence has not revealed particularly significant properties from the clinical point of view.

KRILL OIL AND NEURODEGENERATIVE PATHOLOGIES

Krill oil is an excellent ally of the nervous system.

It is scientifically proven that it is useful in people suffering from mild cognitive disorders.

On the other hand, it has no significant effect on Alzheimer's disease and full-blown dementia.

KRILL OIL IN NERVOUS AND OCULAR DEVELOPMENT

All the analyzes carried out on pregnant women, on nurses and on children have shown that the integration of EPA and DHA promotes brain and eye development, and supports the visual capacity in the first years of life.

KRILL OIL AND DEPRESSION

The increase in EPA and DHA has been shown to help counter some forms of depression, in which a prostaglandin resulting from the metabolism of omega 3 is involved.

KRILL AND SPORT OIL

The anti-inflammatory action of krill oil could be helpful in the practice of more strenuous endurance sports.

In this case, krill oil has a preventive function against neuro-muscular lesions.

To testify to this effect, we have found: reduction of some markers of muscle damage, greater ease of recovery and reduction of the risk of injuries.

Doses and Mode of Use

How to use krill oil?

Krill oil must be used in connection with:

  • EPA and DHA requirements
  • Lack of ordinary nutrition.

It is sold mainly in soft capsules, with just under 1 gram each (0.80-0.85 g).

The intake recommended by the companies is generally limited to one capsule a day, to be taken in the morning during breakfast.

On the other hand, as anticipated, the dose depends very much on individual needs and diet.

One capsule a day can compensate for the increased needs of the pregnant woman, the nurse, the child and the elderly.

However, a person with certain diseases could introduce up to 3-5 g more EPA and DHA per day.

It is recommended to keep the bottle sealed (even if the capsules isolate the omega 3 from atmospheric oxygen, they can still suffer the negative effect of humidity), in the dark and in a cool place.

Supplementation with omega three can be continuous at low dosage or cycled 15 days at a time with higher weights.

Side effects

The potential side effects of krill oil are the same as those of other omega 3 supplements: halitosis, belching, fishy regurgitation, nausea, abdominal cramps, dyspepsia and diarrhea. The complications of the blood coagulation system are less frequent.

Definitely very rare, and linked to overdoses, metabolic peroxidosis and other serious disorders.

Contraindications

When should krill oil not be used?

Krill oil should be avoided in case of allergy to shellfish and in the presence of any type of hypersensitivity linked to the components of the supplement.

Furthermore, it is advised to pay attention to the association with certain drugs (see below).

Pharmacological Interactions

Which drugs or foods can modify the effect of krill oil?

Krill oil should not be taken, or its quantity should be reduced, if associated with the following drugs:

  • Anticoagulants (coumadin, sintrom, acenocumarol), aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, garlic and ginkgo biloba: due to the increased risk of bleeding due to a double anti-aggregating effect.
  • Oral hypoglycemic agents: even if the hypoglycemic power of EPA and DHA is not well defined, it is advisable to consult your doctor before starting krill oil supplementation.

Precautions for Use

What do you need to know before taking krill oil?

Although we have emphasized the importance of EPA and DHA in pregnancy, lactation and in the first years of life, dietary supplementation of krill oil should be prescribed by the attending physician.

The use of krill oil should always be stopped before a surgical operation, due to the increased risk of bleeding.

Reflections

Let's start by pointing out that - despite the ratio of omega 3 and omega 6 of krill oil to 15: 1 versus 3: 1 of a common fish oil, and that the relative absorption potential is better than 10% - not these are characteristics that can justify the difference, to say the least, abysmal in the price of marketed supplements.

The amount of antioxidants is superfluous, at least as far as nutritional requirements are concerned, and their addition for conservative purposes (up to 2 years) could be carried out without problems even in salmon oil or cod liver oil (tocopherols, retinol and carotenoids). they are not excessively expensive molecules); the same applies to phosphatidylcholine.

Ultimately, krill oil is a food supplement of undoubtedly remarkable qualities, but excessively emphasized.