What Is Krill Oil?

Krill oil is made by crushing krill, a small shrimp-like creature found in Antarctic and North Atlantic waters. This oil is processed and refined to yield oil high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Krill oil is used as a nutritional supplement for its health benefits, which are similar to the benefits of fish oil supplements.

Types

• Krill oil is nearly always taken in a capsule form due to the strong flavor and odor of the concentrated oil.

Features

• Krill oil contains large amounts of substances which contribute to human health such as the fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexeanoic acid (DHA), and the antioxidant astaxanthin.

Benefits

• Protection from damaging chemicals, reduction of premenstrual syndrome, cardiovascular health, cholesterol reduction, inflammation reduction, increased nerve cell health and cancer prevention are some of the known benefits of krill oil.

Warning

• Krill are crustaceans, and therefore krill oil is considered a major food allergen and should not be consumed by individuals with allergies to fish or shellfish.

Dosage

• A daily intake of 300 mg of krill oil is generally considered safe and was shown to reduce arthritis inflammation by a 2007 study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.