If your diet is lacking in omega-3 fatty acids, you’re not only missing out on all the benefits healthy fats have to offer, you may also be raising your risk of disease. Fish oil may have been the preferred source of omega-3 supplementation in the past, but in recent years the popularity of krill oil has skyrocketed, thanks to a growing body of research that supports its superior health benefits.
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Compared to fish oil, krill oil has a higher potency, is more environmentally sustainable and contaminant-free, resists oxidation and contains beneficial phospholipids and phosphatidylcholine — important to brain development, memory and learning.
Krill oil’s many health benefits are attributed to the omega-3 fatty acids it contains. Omega-3s are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that are used by your body for various functions, such as digestion, blood clotting, muscle activity, memory and cognitive function, visual acuity and much more.
So what exactly does krill oil do for your health? Research shows it may help with at least two dozen diseases and health issues, such as:
- Cardiovascular disease and hyperlipidemia — Krill oil may help lower blood pressure, triglyceride levels and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, while raising HDL (good) cholesterol levels
- Neurological/cognitive dysfunction — This includes brain aging, memory loss and learning disorders. The omega-3 fats in krill oil may also be helpful for ADHD, dyslexia and autism, as well as Parkinson's disease
- Inflammation — Krill also helps reduce C-reactive protein
- Oxidative stress
- Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Metabolic syndrome, which includes obesity, Type 2 diabetes and fatty liver
- Crohn's disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)
- Dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Kidney disease
- Colon cancer
- Preventing premature delivery and promoting brain development in infants
- Autoimmune diseases like nephropathy and lupus
When choosing a krill oil supplement, make sure it has been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). This nonprofit organization ensures that every part of the manufacturing process has gone through a high global standard and the product is truly sustainable.
Your krill oil supplement should also be produced using Antarctic krill, be free of heavy metals and other contaminants, be cold-pressed and in hard capsules. While krill oil is considered safe for most people, it’s always best to consult with a physician before taking a new supplement.