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Updated on July 12, 2024
Omega-3 fatty acids are an important part of maintaining a healthy and balanced diet. But unfortunately more and more people are falling short of their dietary needs.
Enter: Krill Oil
This small marine creature is a powerhouse when it comes to omega-3 fatty acids.
In this article we dive into 13 science-backed benefits of adding krill oil to your diet.
Omega-3 fatty acids are a vital powerhouse to the human body—providing your heart, blood vessels, lungs, immune system, and endocrine system with the energy they need to function properly (1).
Omega-3s fall under a category called “polyunsaturated fatty acids”—a category that is much healthier than the popular saturated fats like palm oil, bacon, and cheese (2, 3).
Think of this “unsaturated fats” category as an umbrella, and under this umbrella are three main omega-3s: alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These three omega-3s can be found in the following foods (4, 5, 6) :
Here’s the not-so-good news: Most Americans aren’t getting enough omega-3s (especially the two most important types: EPA and DHA)…
Which means the risk of autoimmune disease, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, anxiety, Alzheimer’s, cancer, asthma, and age-related macular degeneration arise (1). Yikes!
I blame our food industry…
Allowing things like artificial preservatives, toxic food coloring, and heaps of sugar to dominate most of the food and beverage products you see at the grocery store. Replacing the nutritious foods, fats, and proteins your body deserves.
Even if you are eating a wholesome, nutritious diet, there’s a good chance you may still be lacking in omega-3 fatty acids. I knew I needed to find a solution that would make it SIMPLE and carefree for someone like you and me to get our daily dose of omega-3s.
And thankfully, after countless hours of research, I found a solution: Antarctic Krill Oil.
Here are 13 science-based health benefits of krill oil to back it up...
Omega-3 derived from krill oil reduces oxidative brain damage and prevents brain disorders including dementia, epilepsy, and autism (7).
An added bonus of krill oil is that it contains phosphatidylcholine, which is partly choline—a precursor to the important neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. Complicated words aside, choline is important in memory, learning, and brain development (8).
Krill oil has also been shown to prevent cognitive decline in the elderly. In one study, the phosphatidylcholine present in the krill oil proved to be more effective than fish oil (9).
Omega-3s are great for improving your mood and reducing depression (10). Krill oil has proven to reduce depression symptoms and in one study, did so better than fish oil. So, if you’re one who struggles with mild depression, krill oil may be an effective supplement for you (11).
Inflammation has been linked to a number of diseases including heart disease, Crohn’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis (12). Fortunately, krill oil can help reduce inflammation in the body by reducing the C-reactive protein and TNF-a, two markers of inflammation (13).
Not only that, adding krill oil to your diet improves your omega-3 to omega-6 ratio, further reducing pesky inflammation.
Arthritis can be a debilitating condition that makes the simplest tasks painful. Arthritis is caused in part by inflammation of the joints, which can be improved with krill oil supplements.
Studies have found that krill oil can help reduce inflammatory cytokines, stiffness, pain, and functional impairment caused by arthritis (14).
From balancing blood sugar levels to improving insulin resistance to lowering the C-reactive protein (which improves diabetes-related inflammation), krill oil is extremely effective in treating diabetes-related symptoms (15).
As if krill couldn’t get any better, it does—by increasing good cholesterol, helping to combat bad cholesterol—another common contributor to diabetes (16).
Did you know your DNA has switches that can turn genes “on” and “off?”
It’s true!
Our DNA isn’t as fixed as we once thought. And studies have found that krill oil can help turn on some of these good genes that help boost metabolism (17).
In studies involving patients with high cholesterol, krill oil was effective at lowering their total cholesterol levels by 13 to 18 percent.
This result was compared to fish oil supplements, where patients only saw a 6 to 9 percent reduction in cholesterol levels (18). If you’re struggling to manage your cholesterol levels, krill oil may be a safe and natural option for you.
Calling all women who struggle with PMS symptoms every month: Krill oil may alleviate cramping and mood swings.
Earlier, we learned that krill oil can be a mood booster, but studies that specifically focused on PMS found that women suffered less depression when supplementing with krill. Not only that, but they also needed fewer analgesics (like Advil) for cramping (11).
Endocannabinoids—a type of lipid—have an enormous influence on the regulation of appetite and metabolism. That—in addition to the EPA and DHA found in krill oil—reduces the reward associated with food, helping you to feel fuller, faster (19).
In short, when your endocannabinoid system (ECS) is out of whack, weight gain, blood sugar issues, and overeating can arise.
The heart health properties that krill oil garners are hard to ignore. This small red softgel helps to reduce inflammation, lower triglyceride levels, and reduce the overall risk of heart disease.
One study even found krill oil to be exponentially better than fish oil when it came to cardiovascular health. So much so that the researchers called on physicians to recommend krill oil to their patients (18).
Studies have found krill oil to effectively suppress cancer cell growth and kill cancers cells. Though there is a need for further studies in this area, many agree that krill oil may be an effective chemotherapeutic option for cancer down the road (20).
You might be surprised by this one: Krill oil can help alleviate dry eyes. Studies have found that the phospholipids in krill oil are effective at improving tear production, while also reducing proinflammatory cytokines that contribute to dry eyes (21).
Mitochondria are the powerhouses of your cells. They make the energy molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP), something that every cell in your body needs in order to survive.
Mitochondria are so important that if they stopped working for mere seconds, you’d die—it’s actually how the poison cyanide works. Krill oil supports your mitochondria by regulating the mitochondrial respiratory chain. This important process keeps you healthy and youthful (22).
Based on the above studies, there’s mounting evidence that omega-3s can drastically reduce numerous health issues. Not only that, the studies comparing omega-3 sources find krill oil to be the extremely potent—and better—option.
From improved brain function to reduced inflammation to reduced risk of disease, krill oil is the best option on the market, hands down. The fact that it’s also free of toxic heavy metals, resistant to oxidation, and sustainably harvested makes for a safe, sound choice.
Dr. Chad Walding is the Co-Founder and Chief Culture Officer at NativePath. He is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with a passion for helping people eat, move, and live in harmony with their natural state.
NativePath has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Chad Walding nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program.
