Krill oil: properties and benefits of a health ally
Krill oil is a nutraceutical food source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly omega-3, which is sought after for its health benefits. It is known to have cardiovascular benefits but has also shown interesting activities on visual and neuronal function, in joint inflammation and premenstrual syndrome.
Krill oil is a dietary supplement made from krill, a small crustacean that is part of the zooplankton of the cold Antarctic waters.
It is a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), particularly EPA and DHA, which are essential for heart health and prevention of cardiovascular disease. The omega-3 fatty acids it contains are in a phospholipid form, different from all other oils. This structure makes them even more absorbable by our bodies and therefore more effective at lower dosages.
Krill oil is also a source of astaxanthin, an antioxidant that preserves the quality of the oil, and choline, a nutrient that becomes part of the structure of our neuronal membranes and is involved in the transmission of nerve impulses and also protects the liver from fat accumulation.
Index
1.1 What is krill?
1.2. Krill oil extraction techniques.
2.1. Fatty acids in krill oil.
2.2. Choline
2.3. Astaxanthin
2.4. Comparison with other fish oils
3.1. Heart health: reduction of blood lipids
3.2. Heart health: reduction of blood sugar.
3.5. Brain well-being
3.6. Skin well-being
6. Omegor Krill
8. Sources
Krill oil
Krill oil is a substance that falls into the group of dietary supplements and is considered a nutraceutical food in its own right. In 2008, krill oil was approved as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In 2009, it was approved for marketing as a novel food ingredient in the European Community and in 2014 also by China.
More recently, the European Community decided to extend the authorized uses of krill oil to pregnant and lactating women because it is a safe and non-harmful food.
In Europe, therefore, krill oil is classified as a novel food, that is, a new food ingredient of uncommon use. Therefore, the characteristics of krill oil and its maximum daily intake in EPA and DHA are regulated by the European Commission.
In 2017, the European Commission approved as maximum levels of combined EPA and DHA from phospholipid-rich Antarctic krill oil extracted from Euphausia superba for the food supplement category:
- 3000 mg/day for the general population.
- 450 mg/day for women during pregnancy and lactation.
What is krill?
Krill oil is derived from krill, a collection of small marine crustaceans in the Euphasiaceae that live in cold ocean waters. Krill plays an important role in the food chain of the Antarctic habitat as it is the food for a great many larger marine organisms such as, for example, whales, seals, and penguins.
The biomass of Antarctic krill has been estimated at about 379 million tons with annual production ranging from 342 to 536 million tons. To ensure the sustainability of the krill fishery, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) set a catch limit of 620,000 tons per year in 2018. At the end of each year, the entire Antarctic krill fishery has 250,000 tons of krill. Far below the regulated catch level.
Krill oil extraction techniques.
Krill oil is extracted from various krill biomasses. Fishing and processing are difficult and expensive due to the extreme location of the catch area.
Processing from fresh krill takes place on board immediately after capture. This is because krill, outside the marine environment, tends to degrade easily. It contains special enzymes (active proteolytic enzymes) that tend to degrade the organism once it is outside the marine environment.
Trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) is an organic compound found in the muscle tissues of fish products, mainly introduced by them through feeding (algae). TMAO over time is degraded into Trimethylamine (TMA), a volatile substance produced in the post-mortem phase of the fish product, which is responsible for the characteristic unpleasant odor.
TMA is virtually absent in the muscle tissues of freshly captured krill. By degradation of TMAO, TMA is produced by biochemical reactions by some bacteria.
Krill oil is therefore a valuable and sought-after product, in fact:
- the krill fishing area is limited and extreme;
- fishing and processing are difficult and expensive;
- the crustacean must be processed within 2-3 hours of capture;
- yield is low compared to fish oil: therefore, larger amounts krill are needed to obtain the same amount of oil obtained from fish.
Nutritional composition
Nutritionally, krill oil is rich in essential nutrients such as n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), phospholipids (PL), astaxanthin, and choline.
The lipid content of krill ranges from 0.5% to 3.6%. Unlike common edible oils, krill oil shows a very diverse lipid profile that includes not only PUFAs and PLs, but also diacylglycerols (DAGs), monoacylglycerols (MAGs), free fatty acids (FFAs) and others.
Lipid content is dependent on many factors, such as seasonal variation, environmental changes occurring throughout the year, catch stations, and sexual maturity of krill samples. In addition, storage conditions, transport process, and raw material pretreatment also influence the lipid composition of extracted krill oil.
Fatty acids in krill oil
As reported by the Codex Commission, the most abundant fatty acids in krill oil are myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, vaccenic acid and oleic acid.
The most important, however, are omega-3 essential fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), represented in detail by:
- EPA
- DHA
The n-3 PUFAs are well represented in fish oils and play a significant role in human health. Phospholipids (PLs) in krill oil are represented by phosphaditylcholine (44.58% to 99.80% of total PLs) and phosphatidylethanolamine (0.20% to 24.74% of total PLs), making krill oil an excellent source of natural PLs. Phosphatidylcholine is an important source of choline, an essential substance for neurotransmitter synthesis, cell membrane signaling processes, and fat transport.
Choline
Choline is an essential nutrient, meaning that our bodies are unable to synthesize it in sufficient quantities to meet their needs.
Choline as phosphatidylcholine enters the composition of cell membranes and is involved in the process of nerve impulse transmission. It increases brain acetylcholine concentration, improving memory impairment in young as well as elderly subjects. It is a rich source of organic phosphorus in a directly assimilable form.
Choline is also one of the preferential transporters of DHA into cells of the nervous system, where selective release of DHA modulates the activity of neurotransmitters (dopamine and serotonin), improving memory and mental acuity and reducing the processes of neurocerebral degeneration.
The European Commission has also, following scientific advice from EFSA (European Food Safety Agency), approved three indications for use for at least 82.5 mg (2 cps Omegor Krill) of choline per 100 g (or 100 ml, or portion) of product. Namely, "contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism," assisting normal cardiac function, "contributes to normal lipid metabolism," and "contributes to the maintenance of normal liver function."
Astaxanthin
Astanxanthin is an important antioxidant substance that embellishes krill oil. It belongs to the xanthophylls family and is the main carotenoid found in some marine animals and algae.
It possesses such strong antioxidant capacity that it is 10 times more potent than other carotenoids such as zeaxanthin, lutein, and β -carotene, and 100 times more potent than vitamin E. Astaxanthin is responsible for the characteristic dark red color of Krill oil. We find it in amounts ranging from 40 to 5000 mg/kg, depending on the krill material, method of extraction.
On the ORAC scale (the scale that is used to evaluate the antioxidant potential of a food), krill oil has a very high value, 378. This means that it has a higher antioxidant potential than individual vitamins A and E (about 300 times higher) and almost 50 times higher than other fish oils.
Comparison with other fish oils
Comparing the supplementation between krill oil and fish oil, studies showed that the plasma level of EPA was significantly higher after krill oil treatment than after fish oil treatment.
After four weeks of krill oil treatment, significant remodeling of the blood lipid profile was observed compared with fish oil. Specifically, the authors reported that more than 38% of lipid types increased after krill treatment, while only 12% increased when fish oil was used as a supplement.
Krill oil has a unique chemical composition in that, unlike fish oil, it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids present in association with phospholipids (31.13% EPA and 14.87% DHA) rather than triglycerides (3.17% EPA and 1.5% DHA), and therefore its absorption is better.
Indeed, it presents a higher bioavailability because phospholipids are well absorbed from the intestine and are easily incorporated into cell membranes, suggesting that it might, be endowed with a more favorable pharmacokinetic profile. Phospholipids consist of a hydrophilic part (akin to water) and a lipophilic part (akin to fats), because of this structural composition they are more dispersible in gastric fluids than fish oil and thus allow good tolerability and better digestibility, avoiding unwanted regurgitation.
In addition, supplementation with krill oil has the advantage of providing not only n-3 PUFAs but also choline, which is an essential nutrient because it is needed in the synthesis of neurotransmitters (acetylcholine) and phospholipids and is important in lipid transport and homocysteine reduction.
The safety and tolerability of krill oil should also not be overlooked. Toxicity studies confirm that krill oil is well tolerated.
Benefits of krill oil
Due to its very special nutritional profile, krill oil is a beneficial food for our bodies.
The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA found in krill oil have shown several physiological properties useful in the management of numerous chronic dysfunctions, including cardiovascular, neurological, and inflammatory diseases, as well as in cancer prevention and promotion of healthy gut microbiota.
Heart health: reducing blood lipids
It is well known that fish oil consumption has a beneficial effect on cardiovascular disease mainly a due to the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) that contribute to the reduction of blood lipid levels (cholesterol and triglycerides). In fact, dyslipidemia is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
This is why the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends a daily intake of at least 1000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids to minimize the risk factors associated with these. There are several pre-clinical and clinical studies that have shown how krill oil is able to act on blood lipid levels.
An 8-week study performed in animal models investigated the effect of krill oil supplementation (1.25%, 2.5% or 5% krill oil) on serum lipid levels. The results showed an effective reduction in blood lipid levels.
Further evidence of the protective role of krill oil against cardiovascular disease concluded that in humans with borderline or elevated triglyceride (TG) levels (range 150-499 mg/dL), treatment with krill oil at a dose of 0.5, 1, 2, or 4 g/day for 6 and 12 weeks could be effective in reducing blood TG levels.
In another study, daily krill oil supplementation (0.5, 1, 2 or 4 g/day) for 12 weeks in subjects with borderline or elevated triglyceride levels (150- 499 mg/dl) was shown to significantly reduce serum TG levels by 10.2%.
Heart health: reducing blood sugar in the blood
Another important risk factor for cardiovascular disease is type 2 diabetes, which is characterized by high blood sugar levels and insulin resistance.
One study showed that consumption of krill oil at a dose of 600 mg of polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) per day for 60 days reduced fasting blood glucose and improved glucose tolerance in animal models. A significant reduction in fasting blood glucose was also observed in healthy subjects after consumption of krill oil (4 g/day) for 8 weeks, which indicated its potential antidiabetic properties.
These beneficial effects can be attributed to the activation of a specific enzyme involved in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism.
Anti-inflammatory effects
Krill oil exhibits anti-inflammatory effects both in vitro and in vivo due to its ability to reduce the release of certain substances that trigger and carry on the inflammation process such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin-8 (IL-8).
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted in 90 patients with cardiovascular disease and/or osteoarthritis and/or rheumatoid arthritis evaluated the effect of krill oil on C-reactive protein (CRP, a marker of inflammation) and arthritic symptoms. Patients received krill oil 300 mg/day or placebo for 30 days.
Despite the short treatment, krill oil significantly reduced PCR levels even after 7 days (about 20 percent reduction in PCR compared to an increase of about 16 percent in the placebo group), reaching a higher reduction (about 30 percent compared to an increase in PCR levels of about 25 percent in the placebo arm) after 30 days.
In addition, krill oil significantly reduced symptoms such as pain (by 29%), stiffness (by 20%) and functional impairment (by 23%), suggesting that a daily dose of 300 mg of krill oil could be a good strategy to counter arthritic symptoms and reduce the period of inflammation.
Studies have since shown that the use of mixtures of krill oil and probiotic bacteria (such as Lactobacillus reuteri) reduces intestinal inflammation through modulation of the gut microbiota. This makes it a possible ally in combating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as shown by the results of an in vitro study in which krill oil was found to significantly reduce the expression of inflammation markers (IL1β and TNFα) in a dose-dependent manner. It also accelerated the process of healing from inflammation by improving the ability of certain cells of our immune system (macrophages) to neutralize harmful intestinal bacteria.
Finally, krill oil has also been shown to be effective in reducing parasite-dependent intestinal mucosal damage and intestinal microbial imbalance induced by parasitic infections.
Antioxidant effects
The anti-inflammatory properties are complemented by antioxidant properties due to the presence of astaxanthin.
Oxidative stress is a major cause of many pathological conditions as it triggers the activation of important intracellular proinflammatory pathways. This is particularly true in neurodegenerative processes and cardiovascular diseases characterized by endothelial dysfunction. Preventing excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may be a promising strategy to manage various pathological conditions.
Studies have shown how astaxanthin is able to reduce oxidative stress in nerve cells, increasing their vitality and reducing substances that cause inflammation. In addition, since oxidative stress can also be a cause of blood glucose and insulin - resistance problems, it has been seen that astaxanthin improves insulin secretion and glucose uptake by our cells, thus helping to reduce blood glucose.
Brain well-being
The choline, astaxanthin and polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) content of krill oil confers neuroprotective effects and beneficial effects on cognitive function and learning and memory processes.
Most neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, are characterized by chronic inflammation. In these cases, the use of krill oil as a neuroprotective substance might be indicated. Astaxanthin has been shown to protect neurons from oxidative stress through its ability to act as a protective agent.
Important is the contribution of n-3 PUFAs on cognitive impairment caused by improper diets characterized by high fat consumption. One study showed that supplementation with krill oil (administered orally at doses of 100, 200, or 500 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks to mice fed high-fat diets with ongoing cognitive impairment improved spatial memory capacity and cognition.
Skin Wellness
The astaxanthin content of krill oil makes it a valuable ally for our skin due to its photoprotective, DNA repairing, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
A systematic review of randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies summarized the clinical evidence on the effects of astaxanthin supplementation on skin health and showed that astaxanthin supplementation improved skin texture, appearance (wrinkles), and moisture content.
Astaxanthin also appears to protect against UV-induced skin damage, as shown by some results of clinical trials where astaxanthin supplementation (3 to 6 mg/day) improved UV-induced skin photoaging.
Ally for women
Supplementation with krill oil could benefit women in terms of reducing PMS-related symptoms and reducing some symptoms related to estrogen deficiency in the postmenopausal period.
Premenstrual syndrome
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is commonly observed in young and middle-aged women. It is a disorder characterized by emotional, behavioral, and psychological symptoms that afflicts, approximately 75% of women during their reproductive years.
It has been reported that polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) can reduce PMS symptoms. In particular, krill oil as a source of this type of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids exerted positive effects on the management of physical and emotional symptoms of PMS.
Patients who took krill oil during their menstrual cycles used fewer painkillers and scored lower than the control group on the self-assessment questionnaire for premenstrual syndrome based on the diagnostic criteria of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
In addition, the efficacy of krill oil for the management of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea has been much more successful than fish oil. It has been hypothesized that the superior performance of krill oil is due to its unique biomolecular profile and higher bioavailability of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Postmenopausal period
In the period after menopause, due to estrogen deficiency, women commonly suffer from cerebrovascular dysfunction (disorders of blood flow in the brain) and bone problems. As for cerebrovascular dysfunction, these are often related to alterations in channels that control cerebral blood flow and are altered when ovarian function is abnormal.
Administration of krill oil (182 mg EPA + 118 mg DHA daily) for 2 weeks positively regulated the expression of these channel proteins, thereby improving cerebral blood flow in ovariectomized (surgically deprived of the ovaries) rats.
Also in ovariectomized mouse models with estrogen-deficient osteoarthritis, supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from krill oil was seen to significantly improve cartilage structure and inhibit polysaccharide loss of articular cartilage.
In addition, the study showed that the result obtained was better with krill oil administration than with flaxseed oil (which provides plant-derived n-3 PUFAs).
Frequently asked questions
1) Is krill oil suitable for everyone?
Krill oil is a safe supplement and is recommended in cases of stress, poor memory, mental and physical fatigue. For those facing intense professional and sports commitments. It contributes to normal heart function and maintaining a normal lipid profile.
2) In what formulation is it commercially available?
The commercially available formulation is usually in the form of soft capsules (softgels).
3) What amount of EPA + DHA can krill oil have?
The maximum intake of EPA+DHA from krill oil approved by the European Commission in the 2009 decision for the category of dietary supplements was initially 200 mg of EPA+DHA, while in late 2012 it was increased to 250 mg.
In 2017, the European Commission approved as maximum levels of combined EPA and DHA from Antarctic Phospholipid-Rich Krill Oil extracted from Euphausia superba for the food supplement category:
- 3000 mg/day for the general population.
- 450 mg/day for women during pregnancy and lactation.
4) Is krill oil IFOS certified?
Currently krill oil does not have IFOS (International Fish Oil Standards) certification like other fish oils because the parameters measured by this certification are not applicable to krill oil.
Krill oils are regulated by European legislation as Novel foods, i.e., new foods, authorized only a few years ago for human consumption as dietary supplements. This regulation establishes minimum requirements for purity, freshness and concentration of EPA and DHA from krill oil.
Omegor Krill
Krill oil can be taken with OMEGOR® Krill, a dietary supplement of krill oil derived exclusively from Antarctic krill of the genus Euphausia superba, caught in the large surface beds within Area 48. Fishing and processing are difficult and expensive due to the extreme location of the catch area.
Omegor Krill is a product derived from a controlled and standardized process from capture to capsule production. The crustacean is processed within 2-3 hours of capture. This is a determining factor in the final quality of the oil.
The oil in Omegor Krill, which from the start contains very low levels of TMA and TMAO, undergoes two processing steps: a first purification step where salts and residual TMAO are removed giving an oil that is less viscous and free of unpleasant odors; this is followed by a second step of concentrating the phospholipid and omega-3 fractions.
Omegor Krill, thanks to innovative production technologies, contains an oil even more concentrated in phospholipids, choline, omega-3 EPA and DHA, and astaxanthin than the previous generation of krill oils.
Characteristics and benefits of Omegor Krill
OMEGOR® Krill is therefore a concentrated, purified krill oil supplement with no return of taste. The capsules are small in size, so they are easy to swallow and are pleasantly flavored with vanilla.
It is particularly suitable for athletes and those who lead busy and intense lifestyles.
The recommended dose is 2 to 6 capsules daily before a main meal and during the first part of the day (breakfast or lunch). In pregnancy and lactation, up to 3 capsules per day are recommended.
Two capsules per day of OMEGOR® Krill provide 1180 mg of oil from Antarctic Krill - Euphausia superba; with total phospholipid content around 56 percent, 82.6 mg choline, EPA+DHA 260 mg and 100 µg astaxanthin.
These characteristics allow it, to meet all EFSA-approved claims. Specifically:
- The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA contribute to normal heart function with a daily intake of 250 mg (2 capsules of Omegor Krill).
- DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function and visual capacity with a daily intake of 250 mg (6 capsules of Omegor krill).
- Choline contributes to physiological lipid metabolism, aids in the regular functioning of homocysteine metabolism, andcontributes to the maintenance of liver function (2 capsules of Omegor Krill).
Omegor Krill quality certifications and guarantees
OMEGOR® Krill is Friend of the Sea certified: a certification that ensures the quality of seafood products and facilitates aquaculture activities toward sustainable fisheries.
We also use only responsibly sourced paper for packaging: Forest Stewardship Council - FSC, which identifies products containing wood-paper from forests that are properly and responsibly managed according to strict environmental, social and economic standards.
OMEGOR® Krill is packaged in blister packs, a guarantee of quality right up to packaging . Blister-packed capsules are individually protected from gas (air) and moisture, ensuring the freshness of each unit of product and thus its quality. They come into contact with the external environment only a few moments before being swallowed. Blister packaging allows the possibility of fatty acid oxidation to be minimized.
The reverse jar is opened several times to take the supplement and therefore all units of the product come into contact with the environment repeatedly. The last capsule in the jar will be more oxidized than the first.
Omegor Krill with D3
From today, also try the new formulation, OMEGOR® Krill with D3, the krill oil dietary supplement that naturally contains phospholipids, choline, omega-3 EPA/DHA and astaxanthin, with added vitamin D, for the support of the immune system.
Sources
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Dai Y , Zhang L , Yan Z , Li Z , Fu M , Xue C , Wang J . A low proportion n-6/n-3 PUFA diet supplemented with Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) oil protects against osteoarthritis by attenuating inflammation in ovariectomized mice . Food Funct. 2021 Aug 2;12(15):6766-6779.
Kim JH, Seo HJ, Pang QQ, Kwon YR, Kim JH, Cho EJ. Protective effects of krill oil on high fat diet-induced cognitive impairment by regulation of oxidative stress. Free Radic Res. 2021 Jul;55(7):799-809.
Liu F, Smith AD, Solano-Aguilar G, Wang TTY, Pham Q, Beshah E, Tang Q, Urban JF Jr, Xue C, Li RW. Mechanistic insights into the attenuation of intestinal inflammation and modulation of the gut microbiome by krill oil using in vitro and in vivo models. 2020 Jun 4;8(1):83.
Ng QX, De Deyn MLZQ, Loke W, Foo NX, Chan HW, Yeo WS. Effects of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies. J Diet Suppl. 2021;18(2):169-182.
Sung H. H., Sinclair A. J., Huynh K., Smith A. A. T., Mellett N. A., Meikle P. J., Su X. Q. Krill Oil Has Different Effects on the Plasma Lipidome Compared with Fish Oil Following 30 Days of Supplementation in Healthy Women: A Randomized Con-trolled and Crossover Study. 2020;12:2804.
