New Study Validates Krill Oils Beneficial Effects For Heart Health
14-Feb-2022
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of deaths globally, with an estimated 18 million people dying from CVD every year1. Fortunately, up to 80% of CVDs are preventable with positive lifestyle and behavioral habits, and from a nutritional standpoint, omega-3 fatty acids are well known to play an important role.
Omega-3s, some of the most researched molecules in scientific history, are important in the heart health market. Numerous studies throughout the years showcase the benefits of omega-3 for thousands of heart health patients, and some of these studies are behind the launch of some of the most popular prescription-based heart health products. Krill oil is a major player when it comes to heart health and new research further validates decades worth of clinical studies in this area.
New study shows krill oil significantly reduces triglyceride levels in the blood
A new study, recently published in JAMA Network Open by Mozaffarian et al., showed that krill oil significantly reduces triglyceride levels in the blood – an important measure of heart health2. This study is the largest clinical investigation of an omega-3 formulation in this patient group to date.
The findings show that patients consuming the krill oil experienced a significant reduction in triglycerides levels and there was no increase in LDL cholesterol. The krill oil treatment had an even stronger effect in those who also took medication for hypertriglyceridemia .
– Modulate inflammation
The Verdict: Krill Oil And Fish Oil Are Both Beneficial To Human Health
In summary, the main difference between the two types of omega-3 oils is the greater bioavailability of krill oil it increases your body’s absorption of omega-3 fatty acids more than fish oil does.
But, does this mean you should replace all your fish oil supplements with krill oil? Not necessarily. As the above research suggests, fish oils provide immense health benefits too. For those who have always been a fan of fish oil, feel free to stick with it. On the other hand, if youve never tried or enjoyed fish oils, you may want to try a krill oil supplement instead.
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Clinical Studies Of Krill Oil
A randomized, double-blind, controlled parallel trial evaluated the effects of krill oil on plasma concentrations of EPA and DHA as well as other indicators of safety, tolerability, and selected metabolic markers.20 This 4-week study was conducted in overweight and obese subjects who were otherwise generally healthy. Subjects were not taking other lipid-altering medications or fish oil supplements and were not regularly consuming fish. A total of 76 participants were randomized to 1 of 3 groups: krill oil, fish oil, or olive oil at a daily dose of 2 g. Subjects were told to take four 500 mg capsules per day. The daily doses of EPA and DHA were 216 mg and 90 mg with the krill oil compared to 212 mg and 178 mg with the fish oil. Subjects completed a GI tolerability questionnaire and a checklist for assessing general symptoms. Compliance was monitored by subject interviews and capsule counts. At the end of the trial, significant increases were seen in plasma levels of EPA and DHA as compared to control with no significant differences between krill oil and fish oil. Safety and tolerability were also comparable.
The Advantages Of Krill Oil
Because the primary advantage of fish oil is the omega-3s, it makes sense to pick a solid omega-3 supplement?For a dietary supplement to be strong, your body has to utilize all of it. The important things about fats as well as oils is they can be tough to absorb. Too much oil and itll simply pass throughout you. The omega- fives in krill oil is thought about to be more quickly taken in than those located in fish oil. This is since half of krill oils EPA and also DHA is affixed to phospholipids, which are less complicated to absorb than the simple triglycerides in fish oil. An additional perk that krill oil has, is that its considered to be very secure and devoid of heavy metals.2.
I think lots of people who dont obtain numerous omega-3s in their diet regimen might gain from krill oil supplements. Omega-3s are thought to sustain heart wellness, skin health, joint health and wellness, and also mind health and wellness, things which are relevant to many people. I have actually studied a few of the research study listed below to see what is credible as well as what needs better examination.
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Does Fish Oil Have More Side Effects Than Krill Oil
Many fish oil supplements have a fishy odor or taste, although this may be reduced by encapsulation or added flavorings. Any pungent odor, gel discoloration or very unpalatable taste likely indicates excessive oxidation of the supplement and it should be thrown away or returned to the store if recently brought. Only small quantities of supplements should be brought at one time and they should be kept in an airtight container and refrigerated once opened, unless stated otherwise on the packaging.2,9
Theoretically, people who are allergic to fish or shellfish should avoid fish oil or krill oil supplements. However, there has only been one documented case of an anaphylactic reaction to fish oil and none to krill oil, indicating that an allergy to supplements is extremely rare. Always speak to your doctor before taking supplements if you have a fish or shellfish allergy.20
In general, omega-3 supplements may affect blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure, and increase the risk of bleeding, particularly at higher dosages or in those with bleeding disorders or already taking medications that increase the risk of bleeding . Higher dosages of fish oil may also lead to vitamin A or D toxicity. Cough, diarrhoea, nausea, and flatulence are common side effects associated with their use.2,5
For a full list of side effects see the fish oil or krill oil side effects pages.2,5
Can Krill Oil And Fish Oil Aid In Heart Health
Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States? According to the American Heart Association, more than 800,000 people died from heart disease in 2017. Several physiological factors increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, including:
- High blood pressure
- High triglycerides, a type of lipid present in your blood
- High levels of low-density lipoprotein , also known as bad cholesterol
- Low levels of high-density lipoprotein , also known as good cholesterol
Besides healthy eating and an active lifestyle, research has shown that taking omega-3 supplements may help reduce the risk of heart disease.
In a 2004 study published in the Journal of Alternative Medicine Review, krill oil and fish oil supplements both had beneficial effects on the heart health of hyperlipidemia patients.
More interestingly, krill oil was found to be more effective than fish oil in reducing blood glucose, LDL, and triglyceride levels. Long-term consumption of krill oil also helped regulate blood lipid levels. As such, krill oil is not only superior to fish oil in reducing the risk of heart diseases, but also ideal for improving your heart health over time.
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How Are Krill Oil And Fish Oil Different
Two of the main omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and krill oil are eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid . These fatty acids are thought to promote anti-inflammatory processes and have been shown to reduce circulating levels of blood triglycerides. Krill has less EPA and DHA than fish, but the way the fatty acids are stored may make it easier for the body to absorb. In fish oil, the fatty acids are stored as triglycerides in krill oil, 30% to 65% of the fatty acids are stored as phospholipids.
What To Look For In A Supplement
Dietary supplements arent regulated in the U.S., so its impossible to know just what youre getting when you pluck a bottle off the shelfunless it has USP Dietary Supplement Verification, which means the product has been tested to verify it contains what the label says it does. Just look for the USP seal on the label.
Choose an over-the-counter omega-3 supplement thats purified and contains EPA and DHA, says Robert Greenfield, M.D., a cardiologist at Memorial Care Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA.
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What Happens If I Take Too Much Omega
To avoid toxicity, be aware of the appropriate dosage listed above. There is no established safe upper limit for omega-3s. However, the FDA considers supplements under 5 g safe.
Therefore, if you consume more than this amount or more than what your healthcare provider recommends, you may want to seek medical advice or visit the emergency room.
Should You Take Fish Oil Every Day
You can take fish oil every day. However, high doses of fish oil over time may promote immune system suppression due to the powerful anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fats .
Its important to check the dosages of EPA and DHA in your fish oil before you purchase, so that you dont buy one that could lead to this effect.
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How To Choose Fish Oil To Lower Triglycerides: The Buying Guide
How do you choose the fish oil to lower triglycerides? You must consider many things, such as the brand name, price, and product quality. In addition, you should also consider whether it is suitable for your needs or not.
So how do you choose the right fish oil to lower triglycerides? Here are some tips that you can use to help you find a good product:
What you Should Keep in Mind When Buying fish oil to lower triglycerides
When shopping for a fish oil to lower triglycerides, there are several things to consider. You need to think about the quality of the product, the price, and even how much it will benefit your life. However, you also need to keep these factors in mind:
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The Benefits Of Krill Oil
Considering that the main advantage of fish oil is the omega-3s, it makes sense to select a strong omega-3 supplement, right?For a dietary supplement to be strong, your body has to make use of all of it. Things regarding fats and also oils is they can be hard to absorb. Too much oil as well as itll just pass right through you. The omega- fours in krill oil is thought about to be extra conveniently absorbed than those found in fish oil. This is because fifty percent of krill oils EPA as well as DHA is affixed to phospholipids, which are simpler to absorb than the plain triglycerides in fish oil. An additional perk that krill oil has, is that its taken into consideration to be really stable as well as without heavy metals.2.
I think many individuals that do not get lots of omega-3s in their diet could gain from krill oil supplements. Omega-3s are thought to support heart health, skin health, joint health and wellness, as well as brain health and wellness, things which are relevant to lots of people. I have dived into several of the research below to see what is believable and also what requires additionally investigation.
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Cardiac Mortality Sudden Death And All
The Diet and Reinfarction Trial 4 was one of the first studies to investigate a relationship between dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids and secondary prevention of myocardial infarction. In this study, 1,015 men were advised to eat at least two servings of fatty fish per week, and 1,018 men were not so advised. At the two-year follow-up, the men who had been advised to consume fish had a 29 percent reduction in all-cause mortality but no reduction in the incidence of myocardial infarction.4
Sudden death caused by sustained ventricular arrhythmias accounts for 50 to 60 percent of all deaths in persons with coronary heart disease .5 To date, the largest, prospective, randomized controlled trial on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids is the GISSI-Prevenzione Trial.6 This study included 11,324 patients with known CHD who were randomized to receive either 300 mg of vitamin E, 850 mg of omega-3 fatty acids, both, or neither. After three and one-half years, the group given omega-3 fatty acids alone had a 45 percent reduction in sudden death and a 20 percent reduction in all-cause mortality.6
How Krill Oil Works
Fatty acids in krill oil are the same as those in fish oil. These fats help decrease swelling, make blood platelets less sticky, and lower LDL cholesterol levels. When blood platelets are not sticky, theyre less likely to clot. The long-chain fatty acids are mainly found in fatty fish, including salmon, trout, and herring, effectively decreasing plasma triglyceride levels. Numerous things contribute to excess production of triglyceride. However, among the most significant factors is improved fatty acid availability to the liver. This organ gets fatty acids from various dietary sources and circulates non-esterified FAs or free fatty acids. Moreover, Krill oil consumption decreases the rate at which very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is produced in the liver.
Non-esterified FAs contribute the most significant fraction to VLDL-TG manufacture. Taking krill oil helps in decreasing non-esterified fats available in the liver. Moreover, this oil also responds to the lipolytic release of non-esterified FAs from adipose tissue through inflammation suppression. Furthermore, it improves fatty acid intake and oxidation in the skeletal muscles, heart, and adipose.
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Serving Size And Warns
You ought to take one softgel of VitaPost Krill Oil Plus once or twice per day or as routed by your health care professional. Depending upon the number of capsules you take each day, one bottle can last one to two months. At two softgels a day, youll be obtaining 200 mg of very-long-chain omega-3s along with 200 mg of phospholipids. That goes a long way towards your regular omega-3 consumption!
It is suggested you take Krill Oil Plus with meals. This is since eating oils on an empty tummy doesnt effectively boost the manufacturing of the bile that is made use of to break down oils leading to ineffective absorption. I.e. it would be a waste.This product has crustacean shellfish with the krill. Along with the presence of fish, the softgel capsule is made from jelly so it is not a vegetarian or a pescatarian product.
Just like any type of supplement, constantly speak to your healthcare specialist before making use of any nutritional supplement.
Controls Diabetes And Improves Immunity
Krill oil also helps in boosting ones immune system. The oil has an astaxanthin antioxidant that helps improve your bodys defense system. Moreover, it also helps in finding out free radicals and neutralizes them. As a result, you will have low-risk factors of having chronic diseases, cardiovascular disease, and other infections. Furthermore, krill oil has omega-3 fatty acids, which induce apoptosis and help in killing the cancer-causing cells. Similarly, the supplement positively affects breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and premenstrual syndrome.
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Do Fish Oil And Krill Oil Contain The Same Amounts Of Epa And Dha And Is There Any Difference In Stability Or Absorption
The EPA and DHA in fish is mostly contained as triglycerides at a ratio of 1:1.8 Fish oils in general are inherently unstable and highly susceptible to oxidation which degrades the quality of the oil. Even with the addition of antioxidants, such as vitamin C or E, it can be a challenge for manufacturers of fish oil supplements to maintain quality during the shelf-life of a product and several studies have indicated that not all succeed.9 Oxidized fish oils could theoretically have the opposite effect of what they are intended for some experts have suggested they may increase inflammation rather than decrease it although studies so far have not proved this. Fish oils also tend to have a fishy smell, and most contain flavorings to mask this unpleasant scent, although these may also hide signs of possible rancidity.2,8,9