Krill Oil Beats Fish Oil for Purity, Stability and Bioavailablity
Superior Source of Omega-3
The benefits of omega-3 essential fatty acids in cardiovascular health, brain health and joint health are now well known and widely accepted. Although omega-3's are now being added to foods such as milk and margarine and fed to chickens to give us omega-3-rich eggs, for years our best sources, particularly for EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) have been cold water fish and fish oil supplements. However, fish oils must be molecularly distilled to separate the oils from toxins such as heavy metals and PCBs.This process exposes the fish oil which is in the form of triglycerides to heat which makes the oil more susceptible to oxidation. An alternate and superior source of these essential fatty acids is tiny krill, particularly those found in the icy waters surrounding Antarctica.
Why Is Krill Oil Superior?
Purity: Due to the lack of civilization and industrialization on Antarctica, the waters surrounding the continent are among the purest in the world. Living in this pristine environment, Antarctic krill do not become contaminated with heavy metals and industrial pollutants.
Stability: The fatty acids in krill are bound to phospholipids, a much more stable and bioavailable form than the free triglycerides found in fish oil. It also contains natural vitamin A and the antioxidant carotenoid, astaxanthin that protects not only the oils but also the cell walls from oxidation.(1) You will notice right away that krill oil capsules or softgels don't look the same as fish oil supplements. Instead of the golden color of fish oil, krill oil has a deep reddish hue due to the presence of astaxanthin. It's the same carotenoid that makes salmon pink.
Bioavailability: Krill oil's omega-3 phospholipids, primarily phosphatidylcholine, are more efficiently absorbed in the small intestines than are other forms. After absorption, phosphatidylcholine is incorporated into cell membranes and participates in fatty acid transport in blood and across membranes. Lysophosphatidylcholine is believed to impact the distribution of fatty acids to organs and tissues because of its role in lipoprotein assemblages assemblages that transport fatty acids via blood serum. In some animals, when. phosphatidylcholine is removed from the diet, a significant reduction in the transport of fatty acids to tissues and accumulation of fat in the liver is seen. Because of krill oil's higher bioavailability, beneficial results may be achieved at lower doses.
Taste: One thing that fish oil sometimes has that krill oil doesn't is a fishy aftertaste.
Cardovascular Health
Patients diagnosed with cardiovascular disease (CVD)show significantly lower concentrations of omega-3 in tissues, blood, and red blood cells. Ornega-3 provides recognized beneficial effects in preventing CVD, and the evidence supporting greater omega-3 dietary intake is increasing.
Omega-3's help prevent heart disease by beneficially affecting several CVD risk factors. These fatty acids have been shown to:
• Lower blood pressure
• Help prevent arrhythmia
• Lower risk of cardiovascular blood clot formation
• Decrease the level of so-called "bad" cholesterol (LDL)
• Increase the level of "good" cholesterol (HDL)
• Help deter the atherosclerotic process
