Krill

Related Terms

Antarctic krill, Antarctic krill oil, Antarctic krill peptide powder (AKPP), Antarctic krill tail meat hydrolysate, Arctic Wonder Krill Oil, arthropod, astaxanthin, crustacean, DHA, dietary (n-3) LCPUFA, dietary (n-3) long-chain PUFA, docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, Euphausia pacifica, Euphausia superba, Euphasia superba Dana, Euphausia superba oil, Euphausiacea, euphausiid, euphausiids oil, krill oil complex, krill omega-3 oil, krill protein concentrate (KPC), Krillase? chewing gum, Malacostraca, marine ectotherm, marine protein concentrate, Meganyctiphanes, Meganyctiphanes norvegica Sars, MegaRed Omega-3 Krill Oil, MURST-ISS-A2, n-3 fatty acids, Neptune Krill Aquatein (NKAT), Neptune Krill OilT (NKOT), Neptune Ocean Extract (NOET), NKOT, North Pacific krill, northern krill, omega 3, omega-3, omega-3 fatty acids, omega-3 oil, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 PUFAs, Pacific krill, pelagic Antarctic species, pelagic crustacean, phosphatidylcholine, phospholipid, polyunsaturated fatty acids, shellfish, Thysanoessa, water-soluble extract of Pacific krill, zooplankton.
Note: Krill is a source of omega-3 fatty acids. The majority of krill's purported benefits are likely due to its constituent omega-3 fatty acids. However, this summary focuses on krill itself, rather than on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids in general.

Background

Krill is a spineless, shrimp-like marine organism. The oil produced from krill, in particular from Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), is rich in various compounds, including long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, which likely contribute to krill oil's beneficial health effects.
An estimated 14% of krill oil is comprised of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA and DHA are both omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are a class of compounds believed to have beneficial blood lipid- and blood pressure-lowering effects. Krill oil is also believed to contain astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is an antioxidant with purported neuroprotective effects.
Early research suggests that krill oil may be useful in the treatment of arthritis, high blood lipids, dental plaque, and painful menstruation. However, further research in these areas is needed before any firm conclusions may be made for its use.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Results are pending on preliminary research exploring the effects of krill oil in people with early-stage Alzheimer's disease. Until more research becomes available, firm conclusions about the use of krill oil in this area are lacking.

 C


Results are pending on preliminary research exploring the effects of krill oil in people with early-stage Alzheimer's disease. Until more research becomes available, firm conclusions about the use of krill oil in this area are lacking.

 C


Limited research suggests that krill oil may lower arthritis pain and markers of inflammation. However, more large-scale, high-quality research is needed in this area.

 C


Limited research suggests that krill oil may lower arthritis pain and markers of inflammation. However, more large-scale, high-quality research is needed in this area.

 C


According to early research, Krillase? chewing gum has been shown to reduce dental plaque and inflammation-related gum bleeding. Additional research in this area is needed before any firm conclusions may be made.

 C


According to early research, Krillase? chewing gum has been shown to reduce dental plaque and inflammation-related gum bleeding. Additional research in this area is needed before any firm conclusions may be made.

 C


Limited research suggests that, compared to fish oil, krill oil reduces the level of various blood lipids, including total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and the ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Although this is promising, further research in this area is needed before any firm conclusions may be made.

 C


Limited research suggests that, compared to fish oil, krill oil reduces the level of various blood lipids, including total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and the ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Although this is promising, further research in this area is needed before any firm conclusions may be made.

 C


Limited research suggests that krill oil may mitigate both physical and emotional symptoms of painful menstruation. However, more large-scale, high-quality research is needed in this area.

 C


Limited research suggests that krill oil may mitigate both physical and emotional symptoms of painful menstruation. However, more large-scale, high-quality research is needed in this area.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
Krill oil is distributed by Neptune Technologies & Bioressources, Inc. Each 500-milligram capsule of Neptune Krill OilT contains 50 international units (IU) of vitamin A, 0.25 IU of vitamin E, 150 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids, 75 milligrams of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 45 milligrams of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), 10 milligrams of omega-6 fatty acids, 42.5 milligrams of omega-9 fatty acids, 200 milligrams of phospholipids, and 0.75 milligrams of astaxanthin.
For arthritis, 300 milligrams of Neptune Krill OilT has been taken daily for 30 days.
For dental plaque or gingivitis, 0.06 units of Krillase? gum has been chewed by mouth for 10 minutes after meals, four times daily for 10 days.
For high blood lipids, 1-3 grams of Neptune Krill OilT has been taken daily for up to three months. Six capsules (500 milligram capsules each) of krill oil has also been taken daily for seven weeks.
For painful menstruation, two grams of Neptune Krill OilT has been taken daily for up to three months.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Krill oil may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Krill oil may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. People taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Krill may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood pressure.
Krill may also interact with agents that affect the heart and blood vessels, agents toxic to the liver, anticancer agents, anti-inflammatory agents, bone loss agents, hormonal agents, kidney-protective agents, lipid-lowering agents, nervous system agents, and pain relievers.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Banni S, Carta G, Murru E, et al. Krill oil significantly decreases 2-arachidonoylglycerol plasma levels in obese subjects. Nutr Metab (Lond) 2011;8(1):7.
Bridges KM, Gigliotti JC, Altman S, et al. Determination of digestibility, tissue deposition, and metabolism of the omega-3 fatty acid content of krill protein concentrate in growing rats. J Agric.Food Chem 2010;58(5):2830-2837.
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(4):420-428.
Deutsch L. Evaluation of the effect of Neptune Krill Oil on chronic inflammation and arthritic symptoms. J Am Coll Nutr 2007;26(1):39-48.
Gigliotti JC, Smith AL, Jaczynski J, et al. Consumption of krill protein concentrate prevents early renal injury and nephrocalcinosis in female sprague-dawley rats. Urol Res 2011;39(1):59-67.
Lee B, Sur BJ, Han JJ, et al. Krill phosphatidylserine improves learning and memory in Morris water maze in aged rats. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2010;34(6):1085-1093.
Maki KC, Reeves MS, Farmer M, et al. Krill oil supplementation increases plasma concentrations of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in overweight and obese men and women. Nutr Res 2009;29(9):609-615.
Hellgren K. Assessment of Krillase chewing gum for the reduction of gingivitis and dental plaque. J Clin Dent 2009;20(3):99-102.
Ierna M, Kerr A, Scales H, et al. Supplementation of diet with krill oil protects against experimental rheumatoid arthritis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2010;11:136.
Sampalis F, Bunea R, Pelland MF, et al. Evaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the management of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea. Altern Med Rev 2003;8(2):171-179.
Schuchardt JP, Schneider I, Meyer H, et al. Incorporation of EPA and DHA into plasma phospholipids in response to different omega-3 fatty acid formulations-a comparative bioavailability study of fish oil vs. krill oil. Lipids Health Dis 2011;10:145.
Tandy S, Chung RW, Wat E, et al. Dietary krill oil supplementation reduces hepatic steatosis, glycemia, and hypercholesterolemia in high-fat-fed mice. J Agric Food Chem 2009;57(19):9339-9345.
Tou JC, Jaczynski J, Chen YC. Krill for human consumption: nutritional value and potential health benefits. Nutr Rev 2007;65(2):63-77.
Ulven SM, Kirkhus B, Lamglait A, et al. Metabolic effects of krill oil are essentially similar to those of fish oil but at lower dose of EPA and DHA, in healthy volunteers. Lipids 2011;46(1):37-46.
Zhu JJ, Shi JH, Qian WB, et al. Effects of krill oil on serum lipids of hyperlipidemic rats and human SW480 cells. Lipids Health Dis 2008;7:30.