There is much said and written about the health benefits offered by Omeag-3 essential fatty acids. It shields your heart from various major ailments, prevents and reverses Alzheimer’s disease, eases inflammatory body conditions, and could help you to shed the excess flab. Among the most crucial of these Omega 3 fatty acids are the docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid which are commonly found in fish oil. But not everyone likes fish oil due to its not so cool side effects.
If you are one among those, yet want to reap the benefits of DHA and EPA, then here is the solution. Try krill oil. It is known to a healthy and safe alternative to the fish oil and has multitude of benefits for your health. Check out the article to know more.
How Does Krill Oil Help In Improving Your Health?
1. Good for your cardiovascular system
Krill oil, being a rich source of DHA and EPA, helps in lowering the levels of bad cholesterol by about 39%. At the same time, it also improves the good cholesterol level by 59%. Bonus: it lowers the levels of triglycerides by 26%. When your cholesterol and triglyceride profile gets an overhauling, your cardiovascular system experiences a lower risk of developing issues like strokes and atherosclerosis.
Omega-3 fatty acids from diet is well known for its advantages for the heart health. The American Heart Association guides people to consume more fish. If one cannot eat enough fish, they should consider taking fish oil supplements. For those who have problems with fish oil, krill oil might be a potential substitute. If one wants to decrease triglycerides, consultation with doctor is mandatory if one wants to use high-dose fish oil products. (Source)
2. Beneficial for women
Along omega-3 fatty acids, krill oil contains dozens of other compounds that could help in easing the premenstrual syndrome experienced. It eases the hot flashes and bloating during the PMS phase. During menstruation, krill oil helps in easing the cramps and managing the mood swings.
Krill Oil helps with discomforts due to premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It reduces the pain during menstruation and helps in alleviating the emotional symptoms that is linked with PMS. (Source)
3. Helps with painful joint conditions
According to a study that appeared in the American Journal of Nutrition, this omega-3 rich oil could help in improving the joint mobility. It improves the lubrication in the joints and eases the inflammations. It helps to lessen joint distress, reduce the stiffness, and increase mobility of the joints. The study suggests that the participants showed a remarkable change in their joint conditions within two weeks of using krill oil.
Krill oil resulted in improvements of knee pain, stiffness, and physical function in adults with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis as per a study by CSIRO, Adelaide, Australia. (Source)
4. Beneficial for kids with ADHD
According to a study, this omega-3 essential oil helps in easing the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children as well as adults by about 56%. ADHD is a condition that shares a close link with the levels of DHA phospholipid in brain. And, krill oil is an abundant source of these phospholipids.
5. Sharpens your mind and brain
Improve your alertness and concentration with regular use of krill oil. According to the existing studies, people who consumed krill oil for 90 days regularly showed a remarkable improvement in their attention. It also helps in preventing cognitive decline due to aging as well as keeps the memory sharper.
Krill oil contains astaxanthin, an antioxidant that helps in improving the cellular integrity of the brain, thereby keeping your alert and more focused.
Do check out our related article on Astaxanthin Side Effects.
6. Gifts you a healthy, vibrant skin
Krill oil has a rich concentration of powerful antioxidants that help in scavenging the free radicals, which if left unhandled, could induce oxidative damages. This, eventually, would lead to the onset of various skin issues, including premature aging. Thus regular use of the astaxanthin-rich krill oil could gift you younger looking radiant skin.
7. Beneficial for diabetics
Studies suggest that krill oil helps in lowering the levels of glucose as well as lipids in the bloodstream, making it an effective natural antidote for diabetes. It also helps in weight loss and control inflammation, thereby managing diabetes effectively.
A study looked into krill oil’s effects on type 2 diabetes patients. It was found that Krill oil improved cardiovascular risk factors. It did so by enhancing endothelial function and raising HDL levels. Krill oil’s benefits extended beyond diet and lifestyle variations in the study. (Source)
8. Helps in improving eye health
Astaxanthin as well as the phospholipid DHA present in this omega-3 source helps in improving the nerve ending in the eye. It also protects the eye from various damaged induced by UV rays. According to a study intake of 0.1 to 12 mg of Astaxanthin a day could help in improving the health of your eyes.
9. Known to help in managing depression
Low levels of serotonin sets the stage for onset and progression of depression. And, studies suggest that DHA phospholipids help in improving the quantity of serotonin receptors, thus proving to be beneficial for depression.
10. Improves gastric health
A study conducted on animals suggest that the omega-3 rich krill oil could help in lowering the inflammation in your gastrointestinal tract, thereby curing H. Pylori.
Krill oil is rich in antioxidants like unsaturated fatty acids and vitamins A and E. The oil helps reduce ethanol-induced gastric injuries by fighting against oxidative stress. KO has potential as a functional food to treat gastric issues. (Source)
Nutritional Components in Krill Oil
Component | Value (per 1000mg) | Function |
---|---|---|
Omega-3 Fatty Acids | Approx. 250mg | Supports cardiovascular, brain, and joint health |
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) | Approx. 150mg | Helps combat inflammation and promotes heart health |
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) | Approx. 90mg | Crucial for brain function and visual health |
Phospholipids | Approx. 400mg | Facilitates the absorption of omega-3s |
Astaxanthin | Approx. 1-2mg | Antioxidant that imparts the reddish hue to krill oil |
Choline | Varies | Plays a role in liver and brain health |
Vitamin E | Varies | Powerful antioxidant that also boosts immune health |
Vitamin A | Varies | Good for eyesight and supports immune health |