Krill Oil: Much More Than a Trendy Food

Do you know Krill, the food that is all the rage for being an excellent source of Omega-3? Directly from Antarctica, what is scientifically known as Euphasia Superba is being welcomed with the honours it deserves into the diet of more and more people every day.

Krill oil is extracted from this small crustacean, more specifically similar to a shrimp or prawn, which is marketed as a nutritional supplement. However, we are not talking about just any supplement, but rather one whose many nutritional benefits make it a daily success. Join us to learn more about this admired treasure that comes from remote seas synonymous with purity and health.

What is Krill Oil?

Krill Oil is a substance extracted from the tiny crustacean we have already introduced to you. Do not be fooled by its size! You are looking at a true champion that survives in the waters of Antarctica, making up a large part of its aquatic population. There is also Krill on the west coast of Vancouver Island, in Ukraine, in Russia and in Japan.

These semi-transparent crustaceans, which gather in dense masses or swarms capable of colouring the ocean surface pink or red, are found in such quantities that they are the basis of the diet of numerous species, including penguins, whales, fish and other animals.

Does it seem like a new species to you? It is, because until now it had not burst into our diet, although it has done so “through the front door”. The Japanese cannot say the same, as they have been consuming it since the 19th century and call it okiami. In South Korea and Taiwan it is also a traditional food used in a large number of dishes, soups and salads.

Inhabitants of the vast sandbanks of the cold, clear waters of Antarctica, only a small part of the total Krill population is caught each year. Because they reproduce quickly, their supply is practically unlimited.

Whales ingest impressive quantities of Krill, which allow them to obtain the energy needed to sustain their enormous mass. Despite this, it is not only whales that depend on this species to meet their nutritional needs. Thus, seals, penguins, squid, fish and seabirds are daily consumers of what forms the basis of their diet.

Not for nothing, together with plankton, Krill makes up the largest biomass on Earth. Another strong point in its favour? It is one of the most easily available renewable food resources, an excellent source of nutrition from an environmental perspective.

An oil with nothing but advantages

Here are its main properties!

Many people often wonder how Krill can mitigate the effects caused by cardiovascular diseases, premenstrual syndrome or osteoarthritis. The answer could not be simpler: it is a highly effective anti-inflammatory.

The surprising Krill oil

Krill oil can be described as a true “box of surprises” that combines 3 very valuable substances in its composition:

Experts agree that the complete interaction of these 3 vital ingredients would be responsible for the countless health benefits this supplement provides.

Krill, a renewable source of health

Euphasia superba is a multicellular species with the greatest accumulation (biomass) on our planet. This is due to the fact that the Krill found in the Antarctic Ocean is estimated to amount to between 135 and 670 million tonnes.

In recent years, the annual catch of this species by commercial fishing in that ocean has ranged between 102,000 and 110,000 tonnes, figures far below those imposed by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Habitats (CCAMLR).

This means that the conservation of Krill species in Antarctica is assured, as is the continued production of this unparalleled oil in the near future.

And it is not us saying so, but a fact confirmed even by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Habitats (CCAMLR), which means that this oil can be considered ECOSAFE.

From Russians to Japanese, including nationals of other countries, they tried in vain to find an economical method to catch these crustaceans from the Antarctic Ocean and offer them as food.

As none of these methods was successful, since freezing and defrosting Krill meant a very short shelf life, they came up with the innovative idea of catching these molluscs with the intention that their oil would display its therapeutic effects.

Years passed in which scientists tried to obtain this precious natural Antarctic Krill oil without destroying its nutrients, until all that effort finally came to fruition thanks to a process patented by Neptune Technologies and Bioressources.

A group of scientists spent years carrying out research into how to obtain Krill oil while keeping its beneficial properties intact. Finally, and in collaboration with the University of Sherbrooke in Quebec, a unique extraction process was developed that achieved it.

How do Krill Oil softgels work?

Take note of some clarifying facts about how the softgels of this healthy oil work!

The triglycerides in fish oil (not Krill oil) do not mix with water. For that reason, the fats in fish oil become concentrated in the watery contents of the stomach. The result? The aforementioned increased risk of reflux and the unpleasant aftertaste experienced by many people.

Softgels with a high astaxanthin content

And what is astaxanthin? Well, a powerful natural antioxidant that protects Omega-3 fatty acids from oxidation. When Krill is exposed to air, astaxanthin begins to break down at room temperature.

At high temperatures, astaxanthin levels fall more quickly, because this condition encourages oxidation. Krill oil naturally contains high levels of astaxanthin, which is a sign of low oxidation.

Astaxanthin is one of the natural pigments known as xanthophylls, a subcategory of the carotenoid family, plant phytochemicals that are rich in lutein and lycopene.

And here is another piece of good news! In the same way that plants use carotenoids for their natural antioxidant properties to protect themselves from strong sunlight, astaxanthin helps your body neutralise free radicals, those metabolic by-products that damage its cells and tissues.

A significant characteristic of the carotenoids contained in Krill oil is that they are fully esterified, or in other words, chemically bound to EPA and DHA molecules.

What does this mean? It means that your body can fully benefit from their considerable antioxidant properties. In addition, it has the capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier, protecting and stimulating the brain.

The exceptionally high content of Antarctic Krill oil compared with other products offers the additional advantage of being a very stable oil that protects against oxidation, besides the rest of the beneficial properties it exerts on health.

The symptoms caused by a lack of Omega-3 sound the alarm

Talking about Krill oil means talking about Omega-3 (DHA and EPA), those fatty acids that are essential for health and whose deficiency has an immediate impact on your body.

There are mainly two symptoms that should make you think you have an Omega-3 deficiency:

How quickly are the effects of Krill oil felt?

Do you suffer from joint pain? In that case, you may notice an improvement in a few weeks. If your problem is that your cholesterol levels are too high or that you suffer from premenstrual syndrome, you may notice it after 2 or 3 months of regular consumption of this oil.

Take note: if you consume Krill oil daily, you will notice it in the condition of your skin, your hair and your nails, while also perceiving an improvement in brain function and a reduction in allergy symptoms, which will contribute to your overall wellbeing.

Does it have side effects, contraindications or interactions?

That is the million-pound question. The truth is that you may be wondering whether a nutritional substance of such significance can be free from contraindications. It certainly seems like a panacea, and it is not, but almost.

Krill oil has no side effects at the recommended dose. On the contrary, you may even notice that you have more energy and feel more active!

And what about people who are allergic to shellfish? In principle, they should not have any problem either, since this allergy is usually caused by proteins from shellfish. In the case of Krill oil, it contains no proteins, so the likelihood of suffering any intolerance is not zero, but it is remote.

Be that as it may, at HSN we always recommend caution and that you consult your doctor in a situation like this. Nor should you forget to carefully check the product label, where all the information about its allergens should appear in detail.

Regarding possible interactions of Krill oil with other products, ideally you should inform your doctor if you are taking anticoagulants or other medicines such as oestrogens.

Get more information about this beneficial supplement at the Examine.com link

Who is the use of Krill oil recommended for?

Do you take care of your health? If so, Krill oil may be on your side. However, although there is no predisposing factor for its use, the truth is that there are certain population groups for whom this supplement is especially beneficial.

Take Krill if…

Which foods contain it? Identify its natural sources!

Unlike Omega-3, which is found in fish such as mackerel, salmon and tuna, Krill oil, which is so beneficial and healthy for your body, can only be found in the Krill crustaceans that inhabit Antarctica.

The solution? Take high-quality Krill oil supplements.

An interesting fact: one of the most relevant figures in the world, Pope Francis I, consumes concentrated Krill oil daily on explicit medical advice and according to Vatican sources.

How should Krill Oil be taken?

As a food supplement, Krill oil should be taken just before each meal, in separate servings divided throughout the day.

This is the right way to enjoy the many Benefits of Krill Oil

When should it be taken?

You can take Krill oil at any time of day. However, it is most advisable to take it with meals, for example breakfast and lunch.

And the experts, what do they say about this powerful natural antioxidant?

Authoritative voices speak of Krill oil, and very positively too, since its health benefits are backed by the scientific community.

Thus, there are numerous studies showing the great advantages of this oil compared with other products derived from fish which also contain Omega-3 fatty acids.

The positive effect that Krill oil produces in women with menstrual pain is one of the points on which experts agree. They go so far as to say that many of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome can be reduced by up to 50% by taking Krill oil.

Do you now understand why we said at the beginning that Krill oil is much more than a trendy superfood? Bring the purity of Antarctica into your diet and start benefiting now from a supplement that is gaining greater acceptance every day. Do you still have any doubts about it? We are here to answer them, and we will do so with the diligence that characterises us.

Bibliographical sources

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3. Rahbar N, Asgharzadeh N, Ghorbani R. Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on intensity of primary dysmenorrhea. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2012 Apr;117(1):45-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2011.11.019.
4. Maroon JC, Bost JW. Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) as an anti-inflammatory: an alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for discogenic pain. Surg Neurol. 2006 Apr;65(4):326-31.
5. Kidd PM. Omega-3 DHA and EPA for cognition, behaviour, and mood: clinical findings and structural-functional synergies with cell membrane phospholipids. Altern Med Rev. 2007 Sep;12(3):207-27.