The Truth About 4 Popular Heart Health Supplements
Watching your cholesterol levels is a smart idea, especially since one inthree people have high levels of bad cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein. If youre facing an increased risk for high cholesterol and yourestruggling to manage it, you might consider reaching for supplements orother over-the-counter products. But you should think twice before you dothat, saysSeth Martin, M.D., M.H.S., Johns Hopkins cardiologist and co-director of the Advanced LipidDisorders Center.
Some people try supplements instead of prescription medications because they think its a safer way to address health issues, he says. But many of those supplements dont benefit the heart like people think.
Schiff Mega Red Omega 3 Krill Oil Side Effects
If you desire to lose your weight, taking this product may not help you pack a punch as anticipated. Most consumers have reported gaining weight after starting to use it.
Most users of this product say that its smell is powerful and is good when taken with almond milk for ease of swallowing.
Others claim it has an overpowering foul odor when its bottle is opened.
Krill Oil Is Good For Your Heart
Studies have shown that krill oil can have a positive impact on our cardiovascular system and heart health. The Omega-3 fatty acids that occur in red krill oil, namely eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid are considered to be healthy for the heart. They can improve blood lipid levels and studies show that krill oil might be particularly effective at lowering the levels of triglycerides and other blood fats. Other studies also showed that krill oil can raise good high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol and lower bad low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol.
But krill oil not only impacts the contents of our blood but also has an influence on our arteries. EPA and DHA can inhibit the development of artery clogging blood clots and the stiffening of the walls of blood vessels and therefore have a positive impact on our blood pressure and can contribute to reducing the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
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Is Krill Oil Anti
Yes, adding krill oil into your diet is a great option to optimize your health and to potentially slow down aging and the associated deterioration.
As mentioned, krill oil has been shown to be rich in omega-3 fatty acids, choline, and astaxanthinthese all have anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation has been linked to many diseases and conditions associated with aging and is regulated by the longevity pathway NF-kB . Overexpression of the NF-kB pathway can lead to cell deterioration and damage caused by ongoing inflammation. Therefore krill oil is one of the ways that you can inhibit this pathway.
With regular use, krill oil will also signal the mTOR longevity gene that will bring additional health benefits to your brain, heart, eyes, and liver.
To find out more about the longevity pathways and how you can use them to slow aging and feel youthful again, read: The Longevity Pathways – How to Live a Happy, Healthy and Long Life.
Apart from reducing inflammation, krill oil has been shown to help with other issues associated with aging such as cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and cholesterol problems. Its also known to combat oxidative stress, support the immune system, reduce water loss in the skin, and keep the body youthful and healthy. All-in-all, krill oil is anti-aging in every sense.
A Cardiologist’s Top 10 Things To Know About Fish Oil Supplements
There’s more to consider about taking this common product than you may know.
Who knew that the decision to take a simple supplement like fish oil could be so complicated?
Omega-3 fatty acids may help decrease inflammation and decrease the risk of developing heart disease. At first, taking a supplement seems to be an easy decision. After all, why eat fish if you can get the active ingredients in a pill? Manufacturers tout the benefits relentlessly, but sometimes push so hard it seems as if they are trying to sell snake oil. Contrast that with studies suggesting that taking fish oil is worthless, or may cause harm. What does the evidence suggest? Here are some important things to consider:
Despite many studies done over the last few years, there is no absolute proof that taking omega-3 fatty acids will decrease your risk of having a heart attack. Studies are in progress to determine whether adding omega-3 fatty acids to a medical regimen including statins will lower your risk of a heart attack if you already have coronary artery disease.
DHA and EPA are the active ingredients in omega-3 fatty acids and have been shown in multiple studies to lower triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are a kind of fat, very different from cholesterol, that can cause irritation of the lining of blood vessels, especially when accompanied by low HDL cholesterol.
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Types Of Healthy Fat In Oils
Incorporating a variety of different oils in your diet can help to provide an array of different micronutrients.
Monounsaturated fats contain a single unsaturated carbon bond in the molecule. A good source of vitamin E, monounsaturated fats are found only in plants. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends MUFAs make up 15% to 20% of total daily calories.
Polyunsaturated fats have more than one unsaturated carbon bond in the molecule and are found in plants and fish such as salmon. PUFAs also contain vitamin E and high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acidsnutrients essential for brain function and cell growth.
Some oils are high in omega-3 fatty acidshealthy fats that help to reduce inflammation and prevent the formation of arterial plaque. Avocado, canola, flaxseed, olive, peanut, sunflower, and walnut oils are all good sources of omega-3.
Not All Fish Oils Are The Same
Not all fish oils are created equal, which is why I only use the best of the best.
When I lived in Canada, I was a brand ambassador and spokesperson for NutraSea omega 3 fish oil.
So I would use their fish oil when making this guacamole recipe.
However, now that I live in the US, I dont have access to NutraSea anymore so I use another high quality and delicious fish oil from a brand called Nordic Naturals.
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Viva Labs Krill Oil Dangers
This oil product is very effective however, its superiority leaves something to be sought after. Quite a good proportion of the capsules are leaky because they are ill-fitted together.
The bottles entire inside smell fishy red Krill oil that spreads everywhere on your hands. Customers have also complained about its taste which is not the best either!
Krill Oil + Heart Health Study
Aker BioMarine sponsored a human study on krill oil, which investigated the effects of Superba KrillTM on blood lipids in subjects with borderline high or high triglyceride levels.
Three hundred subjects participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center U.S. study. The five treatment groups included a placebo group , as well as 4 groups taking 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 grams of krill oil daily.
Study results found that Superba Krill has the ability to lower triglycerides without raising LDL, the bad cholesterol in those who have borderline high or high triglyceride levels.
Superba Krills was also able to raise subjects Omega-3 Index levels, particularly among those taking the highest amounts.
It is interesting to point out that with the highest dose of krill oil, the omega-3 index increased by 70%. Even with the lowest dose of 500 mg krill oil, there was a significant increase. Thus, this might have an impact on the risk of sudden cardiac death, which has been demonstrated in several studies during the last decade, said Dr. Clemens Von Schacky, co-inventor of the HS Omega-3 Index Blood test.
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Sensitivity Analysis And Publication Bias
The findings remained unchanged in the sensitivity analysis conducted on the triglycerides, LDL-C, and total cholesterol outcomes. However, when the data from the study by Bunea et al. were excluded from the sensitivity analysis for HDL-C, the I2 value for the studies comparing krill oil with fish oil and krill oil with other control supplements decreased to 0%, and the significant HDL-modifying effect of krill oil vs other controls disappeared . In several of the comparisons, publication bias was identified, as shown by a Luis Furuya-Kanamori index greater than2 or less than 2.
Reducing Inflammation And Cancer Risk
Your body converts absorbed omega-3 fatty acids in to eicosanoids, which are powerful hormones responsible for the release of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins throughout our bodies. Reduced inflammation helps to prevent many serious diseases and health complications.
Krill oil influences the actions of other hormones such as corticotropin-releasing hormones. When combined with increased levels of serotonin and dopamine, these help to elevate moods and can be beneficial in treating depression.
The EPA and DHA present in krill oil acts as a more-natural replacement for many anti-depressive medications and mood-enhancing drugs.
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Finally, omega-3 fatty acid extracts from krill oil have been linked to the cessation of colorectal cancer cell growth. Because of the lack of side effects and because of the fact that krill oil is relatively well tolerated, it is being considered as a potential anti-cancer therapy and continues to be researched.
Krill oil can also help reduce the risk factors associated with diabetes, like insulin resistance and glucose levels. Regular intake of krill oil supplements can reduce blood glucose levels and improve glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.
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Fish Oil Is Cheaper And More Accessible
One advantage that fish oil may have over krill oil is that its typically much cheaper and more accessible.
While krill oil may share and even exceed many of fish oils health benefits, it comes at a higher cost. Because of expensive harvesting and processing methods, krill oil can often be as much as 10 times more expensive than fish oil.
However, fish oil isnt just cheaper. It is also often much more accessible.
Depending on where you live and shop, you may have a harder time finding krill oil supplements, and youll likely find less of a selection than fish oil.
Summary
Renew Naturals Antarctic Krill Oil
With a moderate krill oil content per capsule but a high relative proportion of DHA and EPA, Renew Naturals take on krill oil is a good choice if your main goal is getting the active omega 3 fatty acid ingredients, and youre less concerned about the total krill oil content. The astaxanthin content is solid, but not top of the line.
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How Is It Different From Fish Oil
In krill oil, 30-65% of the fatty acids are stored in the form of phospholipids, and krill oil also contains the antioxidant astaxanthin that gives it its red colour. This differs from fish oil, which is mainly made from fatty fish such as anchovies, salmon or mackerel and contains EPA and DHA mostly in the form of triglycerides. So while fish oil and krill oil share many of their health benefits, they differ in their origin and also have structural differences when it comes to their molecular makeup. This difference in molecular structure can affect the way that those fatty acids work and get absorbed in our bodies.
In fish oil, they mostly take the form of triglycerides which are a molecular structure combining three fatty acids such as EPA and DHA for example that are esterified to a glycerol backbone. In krill oil however, fatty acids take the form of phospholipids, which are among the most common fatty acids in our bodies and form the basis components of our cell membranes.
What Is Krill Oil Used For
Krill oil is often used for the same reasons as fish oil: to improve heart health and fight inflammation. Compared to fish oil, krill oil contains higher amounts of astaxanthina carotenoid pigment that gives krill and other crustaceans their characteristic red-pink color. Unlike many other antioxidant substances, preliminary studies have found that astaxanthin may cross the blood-brain barrier and protect the brain and central nervous system from free radical damage.
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The Connection Between Your Cholesterol And Food
As we get older, our cholesterol levels change and so does the connection between your cholesterol and food.
Doctors are not really sure how aging affects the composition and function of HDL, aka high-density lipoproteins levels however, research has proven there is a significant change from our youth, and the food we eat plays an intricate part.
Krill Oil For Dogs Side Effects
You need to understand that when you feed your dog with fatty acid supplements such as Krill oil, there can be certain side effects. Although its rare to experience a worst-case scenario, its occurrence is possible.
Your dog may have pancreatic functional problems. You can tell if your dog is negatively affected by this dietary supplement if it shows external symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting, trailed by rapid dehydration.
Therefore, any moment your dog shows these symptoms, dont hesitate to contact a veteran for help.
You can prevent such adverse effects by shaping your dogs food well. If you must supplement your dogs diet with this oil, then you need to start with supplementing the fatty acids.
The best approach is to give krill oil first, then cut down on other foods with high-fat. By so doing, the calories will be reduced, leading to avoidance of the above-mentioned side effects.
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What Are The Benefits Of Red Krill Oil
Red krill oils another excellent source of the valuable Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Made from a small crustacean living in the worlds cleanest ocean, it contains very little pollutants and shares many health benefits with regular fish oil supplements. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for both our physical and mental health and below we will go into more details about why they are so good for us!
What Happens If I Incorporated Dietary Changes And My Cholesterol Is Still Not Within Recommended Ranges
If youve made some dietary changes and you still havent seen results, try incorporating phytosterol into your diet. Phytosterol is similar to the bodys cholesterol and can block cholesterol from being absorbed into your body.
Phytosterol can lower your cholesterol by 10% and your LDL by 14%, she says. Aim to get about 2 grams of phytosterol a day. Some common food and dietary supplements include high sterol or stanol esters be sure to read the labels.
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Krill Oil Vs Fish Oil: Which Is Better For You
Fish oil, which is derived from fatty fish like anchovies, mackerel and salmon, is one of the most popular dietary supplements in the world.
Its health benefits primarily come from two types of omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid . Both have been shown to improve heart and brain health, among other benefits.
Recently, a supplement called krill oil has emerged as another product rich in EPA and DHA. Some people even claim that krill oil offers more benefits than fish oil.
This article examines the differences between krill oil and fish oil and evaluates the evidence to determine which is better for your health.
The Benefits Of Krill Oil
In addition to helping the body lower the amount of cholesterol present, krill oil also reduces inflammation which supports the health of the joints in your body as well. For those who enjoy bodybuilding or using weights or resistance exercises, krill oil provides a means that can not only increase your results in terms of muscle building, but also the definition of the muscles as well.
In addition, krill oil will also help with to regulate the function of the thyroid so that you feel more satiated after you consume a meal. This can lead to great loss of excess fat which will not only help your body building efforts, but also help to lose weight and keep your cholesterol under control.
Athletes often take krill oil to help their bodies do more from increasing the energy that is expended to preventing oxidative damage which may occur. There is a powerful antioxidant in krill oil that actually counteracts the oxidative damage to help keep athletes healthier and performing better over long periods of time.
Basically, krill oil helps your body do a lot of things better from helping you retain lean muscle mass to increasing the efficiency of your metabolism. However, just for the cholesterol-lowering properties alone, krill oil makes for an excellent supplement to the body.
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Quality Assessment And Data Extraction
Quality assessment of the selected studies was carried out using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. Risk of bias was categorized as low, high, or unclear on the basis of 7 possible sources of bias: random sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding of participants and personnel, blinding of outcome assessment, incomplete outcome data, selective reporting, and other sources of bias.
The following data were extracted and compiled in Excel spreadsheets: size of the study population, mean age of study participants, dose of krill oil or fish oil, comparator used , duration of administration, country, availability of lipid-lowering drugs, number of participants per group, and lipid concentrations . The procedures for quality assessment and data extraction were conducted by 2 independent authors, and any disagreements were resolved by reviewing the full text and reaching a consensus.
May Reduce Joint Pain And Stiffness In Those With Arthritis
A study has shown that krill oil significantly lowered joint pain and stiffness in both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis patients, whilst improving functional impairment. In a second small study on patients suffering from mild knee pain, results showed taking krill oil for 30 days significantly reduced pain and improved range of motion. In additional research on mice with arthritis, krill oil has shown to improve arthritis scores and lower the swelling and inflammation of joints.
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