What is Krill Oil?
With more and more people becoming health conscious and adding natural supplements to their diets, krill oil has become increasingly popular for numerous reasons. To better understand the benefits of krill oil, we need first to know what a krill is.
Krill are shrimp-like crustaceans that are approximately 1 to 6 centimeters long. They live is the ocean, where they feed mainly on phytoplankton. They're near the bottom of the food chain and are eaten by whales, seals, penguins, squid and fish. Before krill oil became popular, krill were harvested to feed aquatic life in aquariums, bait, and food called okiami for the Japanese.
Krill oil, the oil that's found naturally in krill, is extracted and sold as a nutritional supplement. Krill oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which is the main reason it's becoming popular as a nutritional supplement.
Another reason krill oil is becoming popular is because it contains an antioxidant called astaxanthin. The algae that krill eat produces the bright red pigment astaxanthin that gives krill and other crustaceans such as lobster and shrimp their reddish-pink color.
Antioxidants protect our body cells from damage from free radicals, unstable substances that are thought to contribute to certain chronic diseases. Unlike many other antioxidants, astaxanthin crosses the blood-brain barrier, where it could theoretically protect the central nervous system from free radical damage.
Why Do People Use Krill Oil
People use krill oil for the same reasons they use fish oil, flax oil or other omega-3 fatty acids. Unlike fish oil, krill oil doesn't cause fishy burps or an aftertaste, a common side effect of fish oil. When compared to fish oil, krill oil was discovered to be forty-eight times more potent. Also, krill oil contains higher amounts of astaxanthin than fish oil.
Shortages of these fatty acids compromise the skin barrier and lead to dry skin. Krill Oil's Omega-3s secure skin moisture and help to make the skin feel smoother and softer by helping to keep it hydrated.
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References:
http://healthandbeauty4ever.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/krill-oil-best-fish-oil.html
Bunea R, El Farrah K, Deutsch L.Evaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the clinical course of hyperlipidemia. Altern Med Rev. (2004) 9.4: 420-428.
Deutsch L. Evaluation of the effect of Neptune Krill Oil on chronic inflammation and arthritic symptoms. J Am Coll Nutr. (2007) 26.1: 39-48.