Krill oil

Krill oil is an extract prepared from a species of Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba. Two of the most important components in krill oil are omega-3 fatty acids similar to those in fish oil, and phospholipid-derived fatty acids (PLFA).

Composition

Krill oil contains fatty acids similar to fish oil. These fats are thought to be beneficial fats that decrease swelling, lower cholesterol, and make blood platelets less sticky. When blood platelets are less sticky, they are less likely to form clots. The omega-3 in krill oil is attached to phospholipids that increase its absorption, which means you need less of it, and it won't cause fishy burps or aftertaste, a common side effect with fish oil.

Health Benefits

Krill oil is used for heart disease, high levels of certain blood fats (triglycerides), high cholesterol, high blood pressure, stroke, cancer, osteoarthritis, depression, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and painful menstrual periods.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

The sustainability of the harvesting of krill is controversial. The Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) is the organization responsible for the management of Antarctic krill. The CCAMLR have set catch limits at a precautionary level to prevent overfishing.

See Also

• Fish oil
• Omega-3 fatty acid
• Euphausia superba