Krill Oil: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Scientific name(s)
Euphausia superba
Family or group:
Aquatic organisms, Fatty acids
Active ingredients:
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
Astaxanthin
Phospholipids
Choline
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Dry eye ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research shows that taking krill oil providing 945 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and 510 mg of docosahexaenoic acid per day for 90 days improves overall symptoms of dry eye disease by 77% compared with placebo. Taking the krill oil supplement appears to improve tear film stability and eye redness.
Posologie
Oral
5 g
90 - days
oil
Cognitive performance ✪✪✪✪✪
In a randomized, double-blind study, forty-five healthy older men (61-72 years) received either a placebo (MCT triglycerides), krill oil, or sardine oil. Subjects in the three groups received 2 g of supplements per day for 12 weeks. The daily sardine oil supplementation contained 491 mg of EPA and 251 mg of DHA, while 2 g of krill oil provided 193 mg of EPA and 92 mg of DHA. The sardine and krill oil groups showed significantly higher OxyHb levels (the amount of oxygen bound to hemoglobin that correlates with cerebral blood flow, increases during cognitive tasks, and can be used as a measure of cortical activation) than the control group. Both krill oil and sardine oil were shown to promote working memory. However, sardine oil, which contains the larger amounts of these fatty acids, did not demonstrate activation effects regarding the calculation task, and only krill oil, which contains smaller amounts of these fatty acids, was found to have an effect. The study's conclusion is that fatty acids in the form of phosphatidylcholine may offer significant benefits for cognitive function.
Posologie
Orally
2 g
12 weeks
oil
Similar eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid plasma levels achieved with fish oil or krill oil in a randomized double-blind four-week bioavailability study
Enhanced cognitive function and antidepressant-like effects after krill oil supplementation in rats
Plasma Phosphatidylcholine Docosahexaenoic Acid Content and Risk of Dementia and Alzheimer Disease: The Framingham Heart Study
Effects of Krill Oil Containing n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Phospholipid Form on Human Brain Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Healthy Elderly Volunteers
Arthritis ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research shows that in patients suffering from cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and/or osteoarthritis, taking krill oil (Neptune Krill Oil) at a dose of 300 mg per day for 30 days reduces pain by 38.3% and stiffness by 39.1% compared with placebo. Another Japanese study showed that administration of krill oil (2 g/day, 30 days) significantly improved mild knee joint pain, knee stiffness and flexibility. The results suggest that krill oil may be effective in relieving mild knee pain symptoms. This improvement may be due to a reduction in pro-inflammatory lipid mediators and a slowing of osteoarthritis progression, according to observed blood markers.
Posologie
Oral
2 g
30 - days
oil
Evaluation of the effect of Neptune Krill Oil on chronic inflammation and arthritic symptoms
Krill oil improved osteoarthritic knee pain in adults with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis: a 6-month multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Krill Products: An Overview of Animal Studies
Dyslipidemia ✪✪✪✪✪
A meta-analysis of clinical research shows that krill oil intake reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by 15.52 mg/dL in patients with hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia or normal lipid levels. nnA recent study including randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials examined the effects of consuming Krill oil at 4 g per day in subjects with fasting triglyceride levels ranging from 500 to 1500 mg/dL. Krill oil significantly reduced triglyceride levels over a 26-week period compared with placebo. About 1 in 9 patients in the Krill oil group reached triglyceride levels below 500 mg/dL.nnThis study therefore suggests that krill oil could be an option for managing hypertriglyceridemia.nn
Posologie
Oral
1 - 4 g
oil
Lipid-modifying effects of krill oil in humans: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Effectiveness of a Novel ω-3 Krill Oil Agent in Patients With Severe Hypertriglyceridemia: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Metabolic effects of krill oil are essentially similar to those of fish oil but at lower dose of EPA and DHA, in healthy volunteers
Evaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the clinical course of hyperlipidemia
Krill oil supplementation lowers serum triglycerides without increasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in adults with borderline high or high triglyceride levels
Muscle pain ✪✪✪✪✪
Krill oil may reduce muscle damage after exercise. Creatine kinase is an enzyme that plays a key role in producing energy in muscles. It is often measured in the blood to assess muscle damage. Its levels increase in response to muscle injury, such as a strain or intense exercise. In a clinical trial, men undergoing resistance training took 3 g of krill oil daily, containing 360 mg of EPA and 210 mg of DHA, for three days before exercise. This slightly reduced creatine kinase levels in their blood at 24 and 48 hours compared with placebo. A small improvement in agility and muscle strength was also observed.
Posologie
Oral
3 g
oil
Properties
Anti-inflammatory
Like fish oils, krill oil is of interest for the prevention or treatment of inflammatory diseases. Most potential benefits are attributed to the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and krill oils. Although there is a large body of research on omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils, there is very little research on the use of fatty acids from krill oil. Preliminary research shows that taking a krill oil–based product at a dose of 300 mg per day significantly reduces levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) compared with placebo in people with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Other animal studies show that krill oil can reduce infiltration of inflammatory cells into the joints of mice with arthritis. Also, in humans with dry eye, taking fish oil decreases levels of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-17.
Usages associés
Cognitive function
Preliminary clinical research shows that taking 500 mg of krill oil twice a day at breakfast and dinner for 12 weeks increases oxyhemoglobin concentrations in the cerebral cortex during working memory tasks in healthy older men. The increase in oxyhemoglobin levels correlates with increased brain activity, which suggests that krill oil could help prevent or treat age-related cognitive disorders.
Usages associés
Immunomodulatory
Krill oil, like fish oils, plays a beneficial role in the management of autoimmune diseases. It acts by increasing antioxidant enzymes in the liver, such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase and SOD. These enzymes help protect cells against oxidative damage, which is common in autoimmune diseases. In addition, krill oil increases levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, in the liver while decreasing levels of arachidonic acid, a fatty acid that can promote inflammation.
Usages associés
Cardiovascular
As with fish oils, the use of krill oil is of interest for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Most of the potential benefits are attributed to the omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish and krill oils. These polyunsaturated fatty acids have anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic effects. Preliminary research shows that taking a krill oil product at 300 mg per day reduces inflammation and the expression of genes involved in cholesterol synthesis, which gives it lipid-lowering effects.
Usages associés
Antioxidant
Krill oil contains astaxanthin, an antioxidant from the carotenoid family.
Safe dosage
Adults 18 years and older: 2 g - 4 g (oil)
Krill oil has been used safely at doses up to 4 g per day in clinical trials lasting up to 3 months; however, most studies have not specifically evaluated safety or adverse effects.
Interactions
Médicaments
Antiplatelet agents/anticoagulants: moderate interaction
Taking high doses of fatty acids from fish oil may slightly decrease platelet aggregation. Theoretically, taking high doses of krill oil with antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications could increase the risk of bleeding. These medications include aspirin, clopidogrel, dalteparin, dipyridamole, enoxaparin, heparin, warfarin and others.
Antidiabetic drugs: moderate interaction
Animal research and clinical studies show that krill oil may lower blood glucose levels. Theoretically, krill oil could have additive effects with antidiabetic medications and increase the risk of hypoglycemia. It may be necessary to adjust the doses of diabetes medications. nnSome medications used to treat diabetes include glimepiride, insulin, metformin, pioglitazone and rosiglitazone, among others.
Precautions
Allergies: avoid
Theoretically, some people who are allergic to crustaceans could also be allergic to krill oil. People with seafood allergies are advised to avoid or use krill oil supplements with caution.
Pregnant women: avoid
Insufficient information.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Insufficient information.
Children up to 18 years: avoid
Insufficient information.
Surgery: avoid
It is recommended to stop taking krill oil supplements at least two weeks before any surgery. nn
