Krill oil
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Krill oil is made from a species of krill Euphausia superba. Krill oil consists of three components: (1) omega-3 fatty acids similar to those of fish oil (2) omega-3 fatty acids attached (conjugated) to phospholipids, mainly phosphatidylcholine (alternatively referred to as marine lecithin) and (3) astaxanthin, an antioxidant.[1]
A clinical study conducted at the University of Montreal using a branded krill oil concluded that it can significantly reduce dysmenorrhea and the emotional symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.[2]
Other suppliers claim to offer comparable or more potent complexes using similar fractions of the krill complex, produced through a different process altogether.
Several studies have shown toxic residues in Antarctic krill and fish.[3][4]
[edit] Ecological concerns
The harvesting of antarctic krill is relatively new. At present, no limits have been placed on the amount of Krill that can be harvested. This has caused a number of Marine biologists to express concern over the lack of research into the effect that such exploitation of Krill may have, not just to the long term survival of several species of baleen whales and the Adelie Penguin; but also in terms of other animals further up the food chain. In this regard, Antarctic Krill is fundamental to the survival of almost every species of animal that lives in the Antarctic or sub-Antarctic waters and island groups .[5]
[edit] References
- ^ Astaxanthin - Phytochemicals as Nutraceuticals
- ^ Sampalis F, Bunea R, Pelland MF, Kowalski O, Duguet N, Dupuis S (May 2003). "Evaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the management of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea" (PDF). Alternative medicine review : a journal of clinical therapeutic 8 (2): 171–9. PMID 12777162. http://www.thorne.com/altmedrev/.fulltext/8/2/171.pdf.
- ^ Corsolini S, Covaci A, Ademollo N, Focardi S, Schepens P (March 2006). "Occurrence of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and their enantiomeric signatures, and concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the Adélie penguin food web, Antarctica". Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987) 140 (2): 371–82. doi:. PMID 16183185.
- ^ Covaci A, Voorspoels S, Vetter W, et al. (August 2007). "Anthropogenic and naturally occurring organobrominated compounds in fish oil dietary supplements". Environmental science & technology 41 (15): 5237–44. PMID 17822085.
- ^ The Antarctic Krill Conservation Project
[edit] External links
- Venkatraman JT, Chandrasekar B, Kim JD, Fernandes G (August 1994). "Effects of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids on the activities and expression of hepatic antioxidant enzymes in autoimmune-prone NZBxNZW F1 mice". Lipids 29 (8): 561–8. PMID 7990663.
- Bunea R, El Farrah K, Deutsch L. Evaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the clinical course of hyperlipidemia. Altern Med Rev 2004;9:420-8.
- Sampalis F, Bunea R, Pelland MF, Kowalski O, Duguet N, Dupuis S. Evaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the management of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea. Altern Med Rev 2003;8:171-9.
