Antarctic Krill Oil – What Are the Benefits of Krill Oil & Can It Support Joint Health?*

If you aren’t able to get enough fish in your diet and miss out on some crucial omega-3s, then a supplement may be the answer. This is where an alternative like Antarctic krill oil comes in. In fact, there are countless benefits of krill oil that can support a healthier you.*

Some of these benefits of krill oil include its ability to scavenge free radicals, promote cellular defense, and support joint health.* The latter has been studied and krill oil has shown to support joint health in clinical trials.*

Ready to harvest the benefits of krill oil? Then let’s learn more about Antarctic krill oil together. But let’s start at the beginning.

What Are Essential Fatty Acids?

Essential fatty acids are crucial for your health and can be provided through diet or supplementation, including supplementation with Antarctic krill oil.* Truth be told, to some extent, fats are essential for our bodies to work properly.* 

In fact, we cannot absorb some vitamins without fat and we also need fat for our brains, nerves, and joints to function well.* Omega-3s are a type of fatty acid that’s considered essential, are not produced in the body, and need to be consumed from the diet.

There are 3 main types of essential fatty acids that fall under omega-3 polyunsaturated fats¹:

• Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)¹
• Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)¹
• Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)¹

You’ll typically find EPA and DHA as ingredients in marine based supplements like krill oil and ALA is typically found in plant based products like flaxseeds.¹

What is Krill Oil?

You’ve probably heard of fish oil and the benefits that can go along with taking this supplement. Krill oil is similar. Both are omega-3s, a fatty acid that we cannot produce ourselves but that evidence suggests is important.

Krill are tiny crustaceans that are the primary food source of blue whales.² In fact, the word “krill” is Norwegian for “small fry of fish”.³ 

Krill oil is derived from these tiny creatures. The oil contains amounts of DHA and EPA – two kinds of important omega-3 fatty acids.1 Many of the benefits associated with krill oil come directly from these omega-3 fatty acids.*

Because these fatty acids are found in marine life, taking krill oil is a way to get more key omega-3s without consuming more seafood.

What’s the Difference? Krill Oil vs. Fish Oil 

The main difference between krill oil and fish oil is that krill oil seems to be more easily absorbed by the body because the omegas and esterified astaxanthin are in phospholipid format.⁴*

But what even is a phospholipid?

A phospholipid is a lipid molecule that chemically contains a phosphate group. Phospholipids contain 2 chains of fatty acids, glycerol, and a polar phosphate group – making it amphipathic.⁵

Amphipathic molecules constitute both, a hydrophilic group (likes water) and hydrophobic (does not like water) group at the same time.⁵

But why are phospholipids important?

Phospholipids take on many central functions in our bodies and play an especially important role in the structure of cell membranes.⁵

It’s the phospholipid’s amphipathic property that allows it to form so-called bilayers – one water-loving layer and another that detests water. These unique bilayers build a barrier to the outside, play into the phospholipid’s absorption, and allow for selective permeability.⁵

Is Krill Harvesting Sustainable? 

Krill harvesting is actually one of the most carefully regulated practices, using strict international catch limits. Considering krill are at the bottom of the food chain, they play a crucial role serving to feed other marine life. Without krill other marine life would quickly perish. 

Krill harvesting is regulated under the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) – a reliable international organization involved in the krill fishery management. 

Reports show that less than 2% of the catch limit is actually harvested of the total 125 to 725 billion tons of krill, making up one of the largest biomass on the planet. 

At Viva Naturals, we ensure that our krill are harvested following CCAMLR regulations, protecting the economic and environmental conditions of future generations.

Following these regulations, krill harvesting is a process that’s monitored constantly and ensures it stays a sustainable fishery.

What are the Benefits of Krill Oil?*

Krill oil naturally contains the essential omega-3s EPA and DHA along with esterified astaxanthin. Our bodies are unable to produce essential fatty acids, so we need to obtain it from dietary sources or supplements. Omega-3s are essential for keeping our cells structured.¹*

Krill oil is a useful way to increase your intake of these essential omega-3s. Instead of worrying about getting enough omega-3s in your diet, krill oil is a convenient substitute. Let’s take a look at some of the specific potential benefits of using krill oil regularly.*

Krill Oil as a Supplement for Joint Health*

Krill oil has been clinically studied and shown to support aspects of joint health.* Healthy joints are a significant contributor to letting you go about your daily activities with ease. 

Whether it’s work, running errands, or taking your kids to piano practice – your daily back and forth puts a strain on your joints.*

Even if you hit the gym and get some well-meant exercise in, your joints will be exposed to additional stress.* Krill oil is in fact, an excellent supplement for joint health and can support your joints.*

Krill Oil Can Support the Healthy Inflammatory Pathway*

The fatty acids found in krill oil can support the healthy inflammatory pathway and healthy levels of C-reactive protein.* 

Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) can be determined through a simple lab test that can be part of a routine monitoring program with your doctor. CRP is a protein produced by your liver and released into your blood. Monitoring your CRP level can help your doctor verify you have a healthy level in your body.⁶*

A study published in 2007 and one later published in 2016, noted that krill oil showed positive effects on CRP levels in the trial population.⁷,⁸*

Another plus is that krill oil naturally contains esterified astaxanthin. But what exactly is astaxanthin? 

It’s a pigment that’s responsible for the reddish color of salmon (and krill of course) and is known to help fight free radicals.* 

Adding Antarctic Krill Oil to Your Routine

At Viva Naturals, we want you to have all the information you need to make an educated decision about your health. After all, knowledge is power.

Our Antarctic krill oil can support your health in many ways.*

A big plus is that instead of softgels, our capsules are tightly sealed using our patented Caplique® Technology which eliminates fishy odor and reduces oxidation. 

Additionally, there are no unnecessary ingredients with our capsules – just our Caplique® capsules made of tilapia and basa gelatin and Antarctic krill oil.

Because we strive to provide you with only high-quality premium products, Viva Naturals has obtained a 5-star certification with IKOS (International Krill Oil Standards). This certification is voluntary and analyzes the krill oil for omega-3 and astaxanthin content, contaminants, and freshness. Each lot of Krill Oil is tested and reports can be found at:  https://certifications.nutrasource.ca/certified-products/product?id=VIVN0006 

Krill Oil is easy to add to your supplement routine and could have amazing benefits.* With our Krill Oil being third-party certified, dairy-free, gluten-free and Non-GMO, it just gives a few more reasons to start using krill oil regularly. 

References:

1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: An Essential Contribution. Retrieved August 1, 2022. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fats-and-cholesterol/types-of-fat/omega-3-fats/#:~:text=Omega%2D3%20fats%20are%20a,sometimes%20called%20marine%20omega%2D3s.
2. What Do Whales Eat for Dinner? Retrieved on August 12, 2022.
   https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-do-whales-eat-for-dinner.html 
3. Krill. Retrieved on August 12, 2022.
   https://www.etymonline.com/word/krill 
4. Schuchardt JP., et al. (2011). Lipids Health Dis. 10: 145.
5. What Structural Role do Phospholipids Play in Cells? Retrieved August 1, 2022 https://sciencing.com/structural-role-phospholipids-play-cells-16381.html
6. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test. Retrieved August 1, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/23056-c-reactive-protein-crp-test
7. Deutsch L. (2007). J Am Coll Nutr. 26(1): 39-48.
8. Cicero AF., et al. (2016). Arc Med Sci. 12(3): 507-12.