What is a Krill?

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Also indexed as: Antarctic Krill Oil

Krill is a shrimp-like crustacean that grows abundantly in the ocean. Krill from colder ocean regions is high in EPA and DHA, the same omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil.Krill oil also contains phospholipids and antioxidants such as the carotenoid astaxanthin. Animal research has found that a diet high in krill oil can significantly increase antioxidant activity and decrease potentially damaging free radicals in the liver.

What Are "Star" Ratings?

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Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

Krill Oil has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Used for	Amount	Why
Dysmenorrhea	2 grams daily for one month; after that, 2 grams per day beginning eight days prior to menstruation and continuing for two days after the start	[2 stars] Women who took krill oil had improved abdominal pain and reported using fewer pain relievers for menstrual pain than those who took fish oil in one study. Learn More
Close Dysmenorrhea 2 grams daily for one month; after that, 2 grams per day beginning eight days prior to menstruation and continuing for two days after the start In a double-blind trial, women with PMS took 2 grams of either krill oil from Antarctic krill (a zooplankton crustacean) or fish oil for one month, followed by two months in which the women took their supplement beginning eight days prior to menstruation and continuing for two days after the start of menstruation. While abdominal pain symptoms were similarly reduced by either oil, those taking krill oil reported using fewer pain relievers for menstrual pain.⁵ Learn More
High Cholesterol	1 to 3 grams krill oil daily	[2 stars] In one study of people with high cholesterol or triglycerides, supplementing with krill oil lowered total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, and increased HDL-cholesterol. Learn More
Close High Cholesterol 1 to 3 grams krill oil daily In a double-blind study of people with elevated blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, supplementing with 1 to 3 grams per day of krill oil from Antarctic krill (a zooplankton crustacean) for three months decreased total and LDL cholesterol levels and increased HDL cholesterol levels. Krill oil was significantly more effective than either a placebo or small amounts of regular fish oil containing 900 mg per day of omega-3 fatty acids.⁶ Learn More
High Triglycerides	2 to 3 grams per day	[2 stars] Supplementing with krill oil may decrease triglycerides in people with elevated levels. Learn More
Close High Triglycerides 2 to 3 grams per day In a double-blind study of people with elevated blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, supplementation with 2 to 3 grams per day of krill oil from Antarctic krill (a zooplankton crustacean) for three months decreased levels of triglycerides. However, 1 to 1.5 grams per day was not effective. Krill oil was significantly more effective than either a placebo or small amounts of regular fish oil containing 900 mg per day of omega-3 fatty acids.⁷ Learn More
Osteoarthritis	300 mg per day	[2 stars] In one study, people who took krill oil saw significant reduction in arthritis severity and used less pain-relief medication than those taking placebo. Learn More
Close Osteoarthritis 300 mg per day In a double-blind study, people with high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), an indicator of systemic inflammation in the body, most of whom also had osteoarthritis, were given 300 mg each morning of krill oil from Antarctic krill (a zooplankton crustacean) or a placebo. After one month those taking krill oil had significantly greater reduction in arthritis severity based on a questionnaire focusing on joint pain, stiffness, and loss of function related to osteoarthritis of the knee and hip. Use of pain-relief medication was also reduced compared to those taking placebo.⁸ Learn More
Premenstrual Syndrome	2 grams daily for one month; after that, 2 grams per day beginning eight days prior to menstruation and continuing for two days after the start	[2 stars] Krill oil has been shown in a double-blind trial to be an effective treatment for premenstrual syndrome, including emotional symptoms and breast tenderness. Learn More
Close Premenstrual Syndrome 2 grams daily for one month; after that, 2 grams per day beginning eight days prior to menstruation and continuing for two days after the start Krill oil from Antarctic krill (a zooplankton crustacean) has been shown in a double-blind trial to be an effective treatment for premenstrual syndrome. Krill oil was significantly more effective than similar amounts of regular fish oil in relieving emotional symptoms and breast tenderness related to premenstrual syndrome. The amount of krill oil used in this study was 2 grams per day for the first month. In the second and third months the women took 2 grams per day beginning eight days prior to menstruation and continuing for two days after the start of menstruation.⁹ Learn More

References

Krill Oil Benefits

Here is what people are saying about the benefits of Krill Oil.

Neptune Krill Oil by eVitamins
"..."

Krill Oil by Olympian Labs
"I think that your Krill Oil is one of the best yet. I have used a lot of different herbs to relieve the pain and inflammation of RA in my knees. Then I tried your Krill Oil and in one month the pain and swelling was down and now at three months I don't hurt at all. But when I went to my health store..."

Neptune Krill Oil 500 mg by Now
"I found Neptune Krill Oil 500 mg to be better then fish oil tablets any day. Why? Easy to swallow, and the pill is 1/3 of the size of fish oil. You only need to have two table a day, not 3-4 like fish oil. No reflux taste :) at all! after Researching differences between fish and krill krill ..."

Neptune Krill Oil by Food Science of Vermont
"Great for PMS and other female problems. It really works...."

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What is a Krill?

Krill Oil has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Dysmenorrhea

High Cholesterol

High Triglycerides

Osteoarthritis

Premenstrual Syndrome