Bio-Med Krill oil (Omega 3)

Krill are tiny shrimp-like crustaceans rich in an oil that contains the omega-3 fatty acids Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA), and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) as well as antioxidant pigments. Krill oil is comprised of phospholipids (for the 30–65%) and triglycerides, while fish oil is comprised of only triglycerides. 40% of the phospholipid is in the form of phosphatidylcholine. The large portion of the EPA and DHA in krill in the form of phosphatidylcholine results in higher bioavailability (rate of absorption) compared to the omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil which are bound to triglycerides. Research has demonstrated that krill oil (omega 3 in phospholipid form) was 33% better absorbed than fish oil (omega 3 in triglyceride form).

Krill oil is more effective than fish oil at increasing omega 3 PUFA, reducing n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio, and improving the omega-3 index. Krill oil also has one of the most potent anti-oxidants available called astaxanthin. The capacity of absorption of oxygen radicals was proven to be 34-times higher than the one of Coenzyme Q10 and 48-times than that of fish oil.

Unfortunately, when studies evaluate effectiveness of krill they often do not evaluate the initial omega 6:3 ratio or the amount of omega 6 before. Because there is a competition for the same enzyme in the pathway of both omega 6 and omega 3, too much omega 6 despite even supplementing with omega 3 might not be as effective as reducing the omega 6 while supplementing krill. This is the reason following the anti inflammatory diet is critical so the omega 6 levels are reduced allowing for the omega 3 supplement to become more successful at reducing symptoms and improving overall outcomes.

Lipid profile

130 patients with normal or slightly elevated total blood cholesterol and /or triglyceride levels were randomized to receive krill oil (EPA + DHA = 543mg) or fish oil (EPA + DHA = 864mg). after 7 weeks the patients in the krill group had similar metabolic effects than the higher dose of fish oil.

 Another study looked at patients with hypercholesteremia. 60 were given krill oil in amounts according to weight and the other 30 given fish oil. Krill oil achieved a significant reduction in baseline total cholesterol levels of 18%, an HDL cholesterol increase of 60% and a reduction in triglyceride of 27.%. Fish oil at higher doses than krill oil only reduced triglycerides. A maintenance dose of 500 mg krill is effective at maintaining these effects on blood lipids.

We Have identified the most potent source of krill oil and is available through our BioMed Nutrition product line - BioMed Krill Oil 

Inflammation / arthritis

C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the most useful biomarkers of inflammation and appears to be a central player in the harmful effects of systemic inflammation. A recent study was performed to evaluate patients with cardiovascular disease and/or rheumatoid arthritis and/or osteoarthritis and with increased levels of CRP (>1.0 mg/dl). These patients received 300 mg of the Neptune krill oil found in BioMed Krill oil. After 7 days of treatment the CRP decreased by 19.3% and then decreased further at 14 and 30 days by 29.7% and 30.9% respectively. There was also a decrease in consumption of rescue medications for pain by 31.6% by 30 days. There was also a significant improvement in the WOMAC scoring system for knee arthritis. All three components were improved (pain, symptom, function)

 Animal models have demonstrated Krill oil decreases inflammation and pain by decreasing inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, and IL-6. Other animal studies have demonstrated a significant decrease in inflammatory mediators such as COX-2. Krill oil decreases expression of COX-2 and is without side effects compared to prescription medications such as Celebrex and other COX-2 inhibitors. 

Neuro – cognitive / memory

The brain cells have a phospholipid membrane (wall). When this is injured, we can help repair with supplementing omega 3 fatty acids from krill oil, which are in the proper phospholipid membrane form rather than in triglyceride form found in fish oil. Omega-3 PUFAs also enhance cognitive function and improve learning capability as well as memory. A study evaluated the effect of krill oil versus other sources of omega 3 on brain function, in particular working memory. They found krill promoted working memory function by activating the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, thus preventing deterioration in cognitive activity which typically occurs with ageing. 

Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis

A study in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders published in 2010 evaluated a diet supplemented with krill oil versus fish oil and the effects after an induced arthritis animal model corresponding to RA in humans.1 Krill oil was able to reduce the severity of arthritis by 50%. Supplementation with krill significantly reduced the magnitude of inflammatory cell influx, synovial hyperplasia, pannus formation and cartilage/ bone erosion.

 Omega 3 FA were given to 60 patients with rheumatoid arthritis along with their typical medications. There was a significant improvement in symptoms and decrease in use of their pain medications.

 A review of literature demonstrated patients with rheumatoid arthritis who supplemented their diet with omega FA supplements had lower swollen joint count, improvement in tender and swollen joints, improvement in joint pain intensity, and increased hand strength.

Osteoarthritis

25 patients with mild knee joint pain took a krill oil supplement for 4 weeks and were compared to a placebo group.  None of the patients in the krill group had any limitations to daily activity. The krill oil group demonstrated greater improvement in pain and joint stiffness than those who did not take the supplement; however, this was a low dose (total EPA and DHA was only 350mg) and may have been a greater effect with a larger dose. 

Omega 3 FA helps to prevent cartilage breakdown and thus help to prevent or limit development of osteoarthritis. Patients with higher levels of omega-6 FA AA or low levels of omega-3 FA EPA + DHA have increased synovitis and cartilage loss.

 An animal model of arthritis in 2011 demonstrated that animals fed a diet high in omega 3 FA had a 50% reduced risk of developing osteoarthritis compared to a regular diet.

Patients with osteoarthritis were recently evaluated with testing of their omega 6:3 ratio. Researchers found that when broken up into a high ratio group of 9.92 compared to a low group of 5.08, the low group had less pain and symptoms from arthritis than the high ratio group. 

Premenstrual syndrome pain

70 patients with premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea were randomized to receive krill oil or fish oil at 2 gm / day for 1 month. The patients then switched to a dose of 1 gm for 8 days prior to and 2 days during menstruation. Krill oil was more effective than fish oil and demonstrated significant decrease in menstrual pain and a 50% decrease in pain medications including ibuprofen and acetaminophen. There was also an increase in certain types of pain with krill such as joint pain and breast tenderness. The psychological state was also better improved with the krill oil group. 

Post-menopausal

Post-menopausal women who were given a diet of omega 3 FA supplements decreased inflammation and also increased bone density when combined with exercise. This difference was better than exercise alone for maintenance of bone density.