Benefits of Antarctic Krill Oil
The Benefits of Antarctic Krill Oil
Krill are small crustaceans resembling shrimp, and are found at the bottom of the food chain throughout the world’s oceans. Antarctic krill (euphosia suberba), often known as Neptune krill, are, obviously, harvested in Antarctic waters, though the North Pacific is a source of significant amounts of krill, as well.
The Japanese consider krill a dietary staple; therefore, the waters surrounding Japan have been harvested for decades. The extraction of Arctic and Antarctic krill oil, on the other hand, is a fairly recent application in marine technology, and undertaken, for the most part, only over the past 10 or 15 years.
Since 2008, Antarctic krill oil has been certified as being “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS), meaning it doesn’t need to be sanctioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be commercially available in North America. Furthermore, Antarctic krill oil has also been recognized as safe by the European Food Safety Authority (ESFA), thus assuring its commercial availability in Europe.
Three of the most recognized benefits of Antarctic krill oil are 1) omega-3 fatty acids, 2) phospholipids, and 3) anti-oxidants. Ongoing studies continue to demonstrate the beneficial effects of these nutrients in easing the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (both physical and emotional aspects) and osteoporosis, in cancer prevention (especially skin cancer), in promoting cardio-vascular health, and in cholesterol reduction.
Antarctic krill oil has been found to contain two types of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, EPA and DHA (phospholipids). These phospholipids, not found in fish oil, are absorbed into the body rapidly and effectively by targeting cell mitochondria directly. In fact, omega-3s are a vital component in the cell structure of our bodies. Also, phospholipids are especially beneficial for our brain and nervous system tissue cells.
The Omega-3s contained in Antarctic krill oil are proven to reduce “bad” (LDL) cholesterol and to promote “good” (HDL) cholesterol, as well as preventing plaque buildup in our arteries. This is cholesterol control is vital to cardiovascular health.
Powerful anti-oxidants, such as astaxanthin and canthaxanthin are also found in Antarctic krill oil. These anti-oxidants are a potent weapon in fighting free radicals, which have been implicated in encouraging the growth of cancerous cells. It’s claimed that the anti-oxidants in Antarctic krill oil are 300 times greater than vitamins A and E, and 48 times greater than the anti-oxidents in fish oil.
Additionally, one rather large study concludes that Antarctic krill oil is highly effective in combating some of the more unpleasant symptoms of PMS. A clinical study at the University of Montreal, using krill oil found that it reduced symptoms of dysmenorrheal, a painful cramping of the uterine during the menstrual cycle. This, in turn, resulted in an easing of the emotional distress often accompanying PMS.
An anti-aging agent, a muscle-relaxant, an arthritis medication, a weapon against adult ADHD; the benefits of Antarctic krill oil keep mounting as further studies are conducted. Antarctic krill oil, though a bit pricier than fish oil, seems well worth the extra cost.