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Step 1
Krill is a marine animal that closely resembles a shrimp in appearance found in the cold oceans of the world. This marine animal is being increasingly harvested for its oils which closely resemble the omega-3’s found in fatty fish, but with a few important differences. The slightly different structure of the omega-3’s in krill oil make them more easily absorbed by the body and more available to cells. Krill oil also has powerful anti-oxidant benefits not found in omega-3’s from fish oil sources.
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Step 2
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition showed that krill oil was more effective than omega-3’s from fish oil at reducing fat accumulation around the heart and liver in rats. These visceral fat deposits are frequently seen in people who are obese and are thought to increase the risk of diabetes as well as overall mortality. Krill oil exerts its positive effects by acting on an area of the brain known as the endocannabinoid system which helps to control appetite and mood. Although traditional fish derived omega-3’s appear to have some effect on this area of the brain, the results weren’t as pronounced as with krill oil.
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Step 3
Although it may be premature to say that krill oil is better than fish derived omega-3’s, it does have some interesting properties. A study published in 2003 showed Neptune krill oil to be superior to traditional omega-3’s for reducing menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome. Another study showed it was more effective than fish oils for lowering LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar levels.
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Step 4
Krill oil appears to offer some benefits over fish oil in terms of cholesterol lowering and metabolic complications associated with obesity, but more research is needed to confirm this. Far fewer studies have been done on krill oil compared to fish oils which may account for the greater popularity of fish oils in the marketplace. Until more is knownl, it may be best to stick to fish oils.
