Calanus oil: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Scientific name(s)
Calanus finmarchicus
Family or group:
Fatty acids, aquatic organisms
Active ingredients:
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
Stearidonic acid (SDA)
Astaxanthin
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Weight control ✪✪✪✪✪
In a single-center, randomized, parallel-group controlled trial of 134 healthy, untrained participants, the group that combined physical exercise and supplementation with 2 g/day of Calanus oil benefited most from changes in body composition, notably fat mass (−1.41 ± 2.13 kg, p = 0.008), compared with the groups with exercise only, exercise combined with a dietary regimen, or the control group. With regard to body fat loss, several potential mechanisms of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (as components of Calanus oil) and their metabolites have been proposed, including increased fat oxidation, improved adipocyte function, and a reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in adipose tissue. The daily dose of n-3 PUFAs from Calanus oil was lower, with only ~200 mg of EPA + DHA compared with 2 g of EPA + DHA used in other clinical studies that demonstrate beneficial effects on body composition in humans, which suggests that the n-3 PUFAs in Calanus oil do not alone explain the observed effects on fat mass.
Posologie
Orally
2 g
Metabolic syndrome ✪✪✪✪✪
Obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, is associated with chronic local inflammation with progressive infiltration of immune cells into adipose tissue. Thus excess visceral adipose tissue and the resulting inflammation play a central role in the development of diseases, notably metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Several studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids may be associated with lower plasma levels of inflammatory biomarkers in diabetic patients. The main mechanisms that may explain the anti-inflammatory action are changes in the activation of pro- and anti-inflammatory transcription factors and their target genes. For example, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids limit the activation of TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4) by inhibiting the translocation of TLR4 to lipid rafts. Recall that TLR4 activation triggers a signaling pathway that activates NF-κB and activator protein 1 (AP1), leading to increased inflammation. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids further reduce the inflammatory effect of NF-κB and AP1 by binding to G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120). GPR120 is highly expressed in macrophages and adipocytes. Both cell types play a crucial role in obesity and the development of underlying chronic inflammation and metabolic syndrome. Activation of GPR120 in macrophages has anti-inflammatory effects. Activation of GPR120 in adipocytes stimulates adipocyte differentiation and improves insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake. Expression of GPR120 and other free fatty acid receptors (GPR40 and GPR119) has been shown to be more abundant in the lower part of the intestine, particularly in the colon. Calanus oil acts on inflammation as a source of omega-3 fatty acids, and on the activation of GPR120 receptors on macrophages, adipocytes, and intestinal cells as a source of SDA (content 7%, which is higher than other fish oils). SDA is one of the most potent fatty acids for activating GPR120. Finally, because the wax esters in calanus oil are more hydrophobic than dietary triacylglycerol, they may have a longer retention time to facilitate hydrolysis and absorption. Wax esters can therefore act as a natural delayed release of GPR120 stimulators, such as SDA, EPA and DHA in the lower part of the intestine.
Posologie
By mouth
2 g
Properties
Metabolic
Omega-3s in fish oils are generally present as triglycerides, ethyl esters and phospholipids, unlike Calanus oil which contains wax esters whose digestion is slower than ethyl esters or triglycerides from fish oil, allowing interaction with the GPR120 receptors. Interaction with these receptors leads to metabolic effects as well as a reduction in hepatic and intra-abdominal fat deposition and provides increased insulin sensitivity. Digestion of the wax esters releases unsaturated fatty acids in the colon and activates GPR120 receptors in immune cells that secrete hormones, which controls carbohydrate and fat metabolism. In an animal study, Calanus oil showed anti-obesity properties in a diet-induced obese mouse model. It was observed that feeding mice a supplement containing 2% Calanus wax esters for 11 weeks reduced weight gain in mice fed a high-fat diet. In another study in mice fed a high-fat diet, consumption of a diet high in Calanus oil reduced adipocyte size as well as weight gain, decreased abdominal fat and hepatic steatosis.
Usages associés
Cardiovascular
Animal research shows that oral supplementation with Calanus oil reduces atherogenesis in a manner similar to omega-3 fatty acids. It was observed that supplementation with EPA + DHA was less effective at preventing atherosclerosis compared to treatment with Calanus oil, which indicates that molecules other than EPA and DHA are involved in preventing atherosclerosis-induced damage.nnIn an animal study, Calanus oil supplementation also reduced the expression of several pro-inflammatory genes, such as ICAM, CCl2 and NF-kB, in the liver.nn
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adult: 2 g - 4 g
The safety of Calanus oil for human consumption has been clinically evaluated and there are no safety concerns regarding this new marine oil when it is consumed in the recommended amounts of 2 g of Calanus oil.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Avoid due to lack of data.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Avoid due to lack of data.
