What is Krill Oil?
This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Krill oil is an edible oil extracted from krill, a small, red-colored crustacean found predominantly in the Antarctic Ocean. It is rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are known for their anti-inflammatory and health-promoting properties1 3 5. Other names include: Aceite de Krill, Acide Docosahexaénoïque, Acides Gras Oméga 3, Acides Gras N-3, Acides Gras Polyinsaturés, Acides Gras W3, Antarctic Krill Oil, Concentré de Protéines Marines, DHA, Docosahexanoic Acid, EPA, Euphausia Superba Oil, Euphausiacé, Euphausiids Oil, Huile d’ Euphausia Superba, Huile de Krill, Huile de Krill Antarctique, Huile d’Oméga 3, Marine Protein Concentrate, n-3 Fatty Acids, Omega 3, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Oméga 3, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Omega-3 Oil, Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, W-3 Fatty Acids.
Health Benefits of Krill Oil
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Krill oil has been shown to mitigate inflammation in various conditions, including cardiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. A study demonstrated that krill oil significantly improved subjective symptoms of knee pain in adults with mild knee pain, suggesting its potential as an anti-inflammatory agent1.
Cardiovascular Health
Krill oil supplementation has been found to increase plasma concentrations of EPA and DHA, which are beneficial for cardiovascular health. In a study involving overweight and obese individuals, krill oil significantly raised plasma EPA and DHA levels without adverse effects on safety parameters3. Additionally, krill oil has been shown to inhibit cholesterol synthesis and stimulate cholesterol excretion, thereby reducing LDL-cholesterol levels and potentially preventing atherosclerosis4.
Gut Microbiota Modulation
Krill oil can also modulate the gut microbiota, which plays a crucial role in metabolic diseases such as hyperlipidemia. Research on mice fed a high-sugar, high-fat diet revealed that krill oil treatment resulted in dose-dependent changes in gut microbiota composition, which were associated with the alleviation of hyperlipidemia and obesity2.
Cognitive Function
Krill oil has been reported to enhance cognitive function, particularly in the elderly. A study using psychophysiological methods found that krill oil improved cognitive performance in memory and calculation tasks, likely due to its high content of n-3 PUFAs incorporated in phosphatidylcholine6.
Exercise Performance and Immune Function
Krill oil supplementation has been shown to influence exercise performance and immune function. In a study involving healthy young adults, krill oil increased post-exercise production of IL-2 and natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxic activity, although it did not significantly affect exercise performance5. Another study on power training athletes indicated that krill oil could enhance recovery of choline concentrations and reduce oxidative stress after intense workouts10.
Potential Risks
Despite its numerous benefits, krill oil supplementation may not be suitable for everyone. A study on overweight men found that a blend of krill and salmon oil decreased insulin sensitivity, potentially increasing the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease7. Therefore, individuals considering krill oil supplementation should consult with healthcare professionals, especially if they have underlying health conditions.
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Adverse Effects of Krill Oil
Decreased Insulin Sensitivity
Supplementation with krill oil, particularly when combined with salmon oil, has been associated with a significant decrease in insulin sensitivity in overweight men, potentially increasing the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease1.
No Significant Adverse Effects on Safety Parameters
In a study involving overweight and obese individuals, krill oil supplementation for four weeks increased plasma concentrations of EPA and DHA without adversely affecting safety indicators, tolerability, or selected metabolic parameters6.
No Improvement in Depressive Symptoms
A one-year study on Dutch adolescents found no significant improvement in depressive symptoms or self-esteem with krill oil supplementation, suggesting no psychological benefits and highlighting issues with adherence and drop-out7.
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How has Krill Oil Improved Patient Outcomes?
Cardiovascular Health and Diabetes
Krill oil supplementation improved endothelial function and increased HDL levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, suggesting a moderate improvement in cardiovascular risk factors1.
Osteoarthritis and Joint Pain
Krill oil reduced knee pain, stiffness, and improved physical function in adults with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis over a 6-month period2.
Another study found that krill oil significantly mitigated knee pain and stiffness in adults with mild knee pain over 30 days4.
However, a 24-week study found no significant difference in knee pain reduction between krill oil and placebo in patients with clinical knee osteoarthritis and significant knee pain3.
Dry Eye Disease
Krill oil supplementation reduced tear osmolarity and improved tear stability, with additional benefits in reducing dry eye symptoms and lowering tear inflammatory cytokine levels compared to placebo6.
Cognitive Function
In elderly subjects, krill oil improved cognitive function, as evidenced by increased oxyhemoglobin concentrations in the cerebral cortex during memory tasks and reduced P300 latency during working memory tasks7.
Systemic Inflammation and Autoimmune Conditions
Krill oil supplementation corrected omega-3 deficiency and decreased disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with high disease activity10.
Liver and Spleen Health
In animal studies, krill oil alleviated oxidative stress, iron accumulation, and fibrosis in the liver and spleen of iron-overload rats, suggesting potential benefits in managing iron overload-induced toxicity8.
Hypertriglyceridemia
Krill oil significantly reduced triglyceride levels in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia, demonstrating its efficacy and safety in managing this condition9.
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Krill Oil Mechanisms of Action
Cholesterol Regulation and Cardiovascular Health
Krill oil reduces total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase activity and stimulating AMPK phosphorylation, LDL receptor, and ACAT2 expression in the liver. It also increases cholesterol excretion through fecal output, contributing to the prevention of atherosclerosis1 9.
Krill oil supplementation lowers serum triglycerides without increasing LDL-cholesterol, suggesting a beneficial effect on cardiovascular risk factors9.
mTOR Signaling and Muscle Growth
Krill oil activates mTOR signaling, which is crucial for muscle protein synthesis and hypertrophy. This effect has been observed in both cell studies and resistance-trained subjects, indicating potential benefits for muscle growth and recovery2 4 5.
Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
Krill oil alleviates oxidative stress and reduces iron accumulation and fibrosis in the liver and spleen by restoring the balance between oxidants and antioxidants, decreasing HO-1 levels, and upregulating Nrf2 production3.
It also mitigates inflammation, as evidenced by reduced levels of inflammatory markers such as P-selectin and sVCAM-1, and improved symptoms in conditions like mild knee pain1 10.
Gut Microbiota Modulation
Krill oil modulates the gut microbiota in a dose-dependent manner, which is associated with the alleviation of hyperlipidemia and obesity. This suggests that changes in gut microbiota composition may be one of the mechanisms through which krill oil exerts its metabolic benefits6.
Cognitive Function
Krill oil, rich in n-3 PUFAs, improves cognitive function in elderly subjects by enhancing oxyhemoglobin concentrations in the cerebral cortex and reducing P300 latency during memory tasks. This indicates a potential role in supporting brain health7.
Immune Function
Krill oil enhances post-exercise immune function by increasing PBMC IL-2 production and NK cell cytotoxic activity, although it does not significantly alter exercise performance8.
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Common Complaints Associated with Krill Oil Use
No Significant Improvement in Mental Health: A study on Dutch adolescents found no significant effects of krill oil supplementation on depressive symptoms or self-esteem after one year, suggesting that the expected mental health benefits may not be realized in all populations1.
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Disclaimer
The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.
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