Stop ulcerative colitis symptoms with krill oil

Ulcerative colitis: here's how to fight it with krill oil

Krill oil is a supplement rich in Omega-3, adjuvant to a proper diet for ulcerative colitis: in fact, associated with the diet it would allow the symptoms of such inflammation in the colon to be counteracted. A group of researchers coordinated by Kjetil Berge, of Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, Norway, suggests this potential application of fatty acids. The study was published in the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. The research was conducted in a group of rats. It shows that in these animals a 5% amount of krill oil in the diet is sufficient to protect the colon from shortening caused by this disease. Further studies will clarify further points:

• Does krill oil exert the same protective effect on the human intestine?
• Are the same properties shared by another important source of Omega-3,fish oil?

Krill oil and fish oil: differences

Omega-3s are molecules abundant especially in fatty fish:

• mackerel
• sardines
• tuna
• salmon

There are also other food sources rich in these fatty acids. One of these is krill, a collection of small crustaceans belonging to different species that live in salt water. Bothfish oil and krill oil contain high concentrations of Omega-3s. Scientific research has mainly focused on the health benefits derived from fish oil consumption. Data on krill oil, on the other hand, are less. What is known for sure is that these 2 supplements are not completely equivalent. Krill oil has a different chemical structure than fish oil:

• In the former case, most Omega-3 is bound to phospholipids;
• In the second these fatty acids are present in the form of triglycerides.

Tore Grimstad, first author of the research, states that the presence of phospholipids could promote Omega-3 absorption. In addition, krill oil also contains several molecules withantioxidant action. For these reasons, the researchers wanted to test the effectiveness of krill oil in counteracting the symptoms of colitis.

Omega-3s protect the colon

The study involved a total of 30 rats. An experimental system-based sodium dextran sulfate (DSS) treatment induced colitis.

• 10 of these animals were fed a standard diet for 4 weeks.
• 10 rats, fed in the same way, were treated to develop colitis.
• 10 received a feed fortified with 5% krill oil and were treated to develop the disorder.

Compared with other rats treated with DSS, these animals did not show thecolon shortening typical of the disease.

Krill oil for colitis: first good results, more confirmation needed

In addition to this positive effect, analyses in rats have revealed that krill oil is able to reduce some markers of protein oxidation. However, the limited number of animals involved in the experiments does not allow them to say with certainty that this change is significant. Therefore, the researchers stress the need for new research to confirm these results and extend them to humans.    

Source 

1. Grimstad T, Bjørndal B, Cacabelos D, Aasprong OG, Janssen EA, Omdal R, Svardal A, Hausken T, Bohov P, Portero-Otin M, Pamplona R, Berge RK, "Dietary supplementation of krill oil attenuates inflammation and oxidative stress in experimental ulcerative colitis in rats," Scand J Gastroenterol. 2012 Jan;47(1):49-58. Epub 2011 Nov 30.