What is Krill Oil? Benefits of Krill Oil

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Today people tend to care for their health. They look for nutritional supplements to support health condition as well as to achieve benefits. What is krill oil? Pharmacists and doctors recommend krill oil as a rich source of easily absorbed and vitally necessary omega-3 fatty acids.

What is krill oil?

Krill are crustaceans. As WellWise.Org states, they can be found in the cold oceans, their size is 2 inches in length. The oil is derived from them and sold to us as a nutritional supplement. It is useful, as krill oil is rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, necessary vitamins A, E, D and astaxanthin. So what is krill oil good for?

SEE ALSO: Fish Oil Supplements

Krill oil benefits

• Anti-inflammatory effect

Inflammation leads to the plaque formation and contributes to atherosclerosis, appearing of fatty depots in the blood, which is a risk factor for the cardiovascular disease. The nutritionist Dr. Michael Eades notes that regular consumption of krill oil may lessen inflammation. It also reduces the quantity of C-reactive protein in the blood, a heart disease indicator.

Regular intake of krill can lower joints and back joint pains, caused by inflammation, reduce inflammatory arthritis and symptoms of osteoporosis (read how krill oil treats arthritis). Inflammation takes place because of the high intake of omega-6 fatty acids and low consumption of omega-3s. The increase in omega-3 fats in our nutrition results in the change of the ratio of pro-inflammatory omega-6s to anti-inflammatory omega-3s that stops inflammation in the body.

• Brain functioning

Choline found in krill phospholipids and omega-3 fatty acids really raise brain functioning and better memory, cognition processes and behavior. Nowadays some adults suffer from deteriorating brain function with signs of dementia and cognitive decline when they are in their 40s.  It is more effective to prevent brain diseases than try to treat them.  The brain contains 50% of fat, mainly DHA. The body cannot produce DHA; we can only receive it from our nutrition. It is important for our brain to get omega-3 fatty acids in a non-oxidized form. Krill oil contains antioxidants that prevent omega-3s from oxidation and destruction, so krill oil won’t become rancid very rapidly.

• Cholesterol management

One of the health benefits of krill oil is its ability to control cholesterol level. According to a 2004 study krill oil may lower the LDL or bad cholesterol by 34%. In addition it raises the HDL, or good cholesterol level by 43.5%, which is 10 times more effective than fish oil. Find out the effect of fish oil on cholesterol.

• Easing PMS symptoms

The lack of omega-3 fatty acids in women causes PMS symptoms. The researches have determined that krill oil effectively satisfies the needs of the body in omega-3s and relieves both physical and emotional PMS symptoms.

RELATED: Flaxseed Oil Benefits for Women

• Depression

Krill oil may help fight depression, mood swings and stress.

• Krill oil for skin

Krill oil benefits for skin are worth mentioning too. Krill oil not only moists the skin and makes it softer, but also lessens acne and reduces psoriasis symptoms. Astaxanthin in krill oil being a strong antioxidant protects the body from the UV damage. It helps fight with aging processes, prevent wrinkles and scalp problems.

• Vitamins

Krill oil also contains vitamins E, A and D. Vitamin A is for healthy eyes, vitamin D contributes to calcium absorption which is important for bones health. 

Nowadays more researches are to be carried out to determine precisely the krill oil benefits. Choose the best krill oil brands. Always consult your doctor before consuming krill oil in case you have some health problems because as any nutritional supplement it has some contraindications.