Krill

Krill oil/Drug Interactions:

  • AnalgesicsAnalgesics: In a clinical study of patients with arthritis, Neptune Krill Oil (NKOT) use resulted in reduced use of rescue medication (acetaminophen) (4).
  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: Taking high doses of fatty acids from fish oil (EPA and DHA) may modestly decrease platelet aggregation (89). Since krill oil also contains these fatty acids, taking high doses of krill oil might also inhibit platelet aggregation.
  • Antidiabetic agentsAntidiabetic agents: In high-fat-fed mice, krill oil supplementation resulted in decreased blood glucose levels (86). Hypoglycemic effects were also shown in human research (5).
  • AntihypertensivesAntihypertensives: In spontaneously hypertensive rats, a single oral administration of Antarctic krill peptide powder (AKPP) prepared from the tail meat of Antarctic krill by enzymatic hydrolysis significantly decreased systolic blood pressure (87).
  • Anti-inflammatory agentsAnti-inflammatory agents: In growing rats, a diet consisting of krill protein concentrate decreased proinflammatory 2-series prostaglandin and thromboxane metabolites (22). In collagen-induced arthritis-susceptible DBA/1 mice, supplementation with krill oil protected against experimental rheumatoid arthritis and resulted in a decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells into the joint (99).
  • Antilipemic agentsAntilipemic agents: In some (5), but not all (91), human research, krill oil reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and HDL. In mice, krill oil supplementation decreased hypercholesterolemia; serum cholesterol levels were reduced by 20 ? 3, 29 ? 4, and 29 ? 5% (on diets consisting of 1.25% krill oil, 2.5%, or 5%, respectively) in one study (86). Decreased cholesterol was observed in another study in rats (100).
  • Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: Treatment of human SW480 cells (colon cancer cells) in vitro with krill oil inhibited cell growth (100).
  • Cardiovascular agentsCardiovascular agents: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a press release on September 8, 2004, announcing the availability of a qualified health claim for reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) for conventional foods, such as fish, that contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 fatty acids. In spontaneously hypertensive rats, a single oral administration of Antarctic krill peptide powder (AKPP) prepared from the tail meat of Antarctic krill by enzymatic hydrolysis significantly decreased systolic blood pressure (87).
  • Drugs used for osteoporosisDrugs used for osteoporosis: The effects of krill oil and other omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (omega-3 PUFAs)- rich substances on bone mass in female rats were measured; however, specific details on krill oil are currently lacking (9). In female rats, consumption of krill protein concentrate failed to produce any significant effects on bone measurements of total bone mineral content (8).
  • Hepatotoxic agentsHepatotoxic agents: In high-fat-fed mice, krill oil supplementation resulted in a reduction in liver weight and total liver fat, possibly resulting from a reduction in hepatic triglycerides and cholesterol (86). In obese rats, krill oil lowered heart triglycerides and lowered endocannabinoids, anandamide, and 2-arachidonoylglycerol in the visceral adipose tissue, and anandamide in the liver and heart (101).
  • Hormonal agentsHormonal agents: Krill oil was shown to decrease physical and emotional symptoms associated with dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome, including breast tenderness and joint pain, in one randomized, double-blind trial (6).
  • Neurologic agentsNeurologic agents: Krill phosphatidylserine supplementation produced a significant improvement in escape latency for finding the platform in the Morris water maze in aged rats (12).
  • Renal protective agentsRenal protective agents: In female rats particularly sensitive to diet-induced alterations in kidney function, krill protein concentrate supplementation resulted in higher glomerular filtration rates and lower proteinuria and lower urinary n-acetyl glucosaminidase (NAG) levels and minimal microtubular Ca deposition (8).

    • Krill oil/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AnalgesicsAnalgesics: In a clinical study of patients with arthritis, Neptune Krill Oil (NKOT) use resulted in reduced use of rescue medication (acetaminophen) (4).
  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: Taking high doses of fatty acids from fish oil (EPA and DHA) may modestly decrease platelet aggregation (89). Since krill oil also contains these fatty acids, taking high doses of krill oil might also inhibit platelet aggregation.
  • Anti-inflammatory herbsAnti-inflammatory herbs: In growing rats, a diet consisting of krill protein concentrate decreased proinflammatory 2-series prostaglandin and thromboxane metabolites (22). In collagen-induced arthritis-susceptible DBA/1 mice, supplementation with krill oil protected against experimental rheumatoid arthritis and resulted in a decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells into the joint (99).
  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: In some (5), but not all (91), human research, krill oil reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and HDL. In mice, krill oil supplementation decreased hypercholesterolemia; serum cholesterol levels were reduced by 20 ? 3, 29 ? 4, and 29 ? 5% (on diets consisting of 1.25% krill oil, 2.5%, or 5%, respectively) in one study (86). Decreased cholesterol was observed in another study in rats (100).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: Treatment of human SW480 cells (colon cancer cells) in vitro with krill oil inhibited cell growth (100).
  • AntioxidantsAntioxidants: According to the manufacturer's website, as a result of the presence of the carotenoid astaxanthin in krill oil, the oxygen radical absorbency capacity (ORAC) of krill oil is reported to be 48 times the amount in fish oil and 34 times that found in coenzyme Q10. Astaxanthin is a cell-membrane (lipid-phase) antioxidant that is particularly effective at protecting the cell membrane phospholipids against free radical damage (peroxidation). Astaxanthin is also reported to have protective effects against UV-induced skin damage (23). In animal studies, krill oil was reported to increase hepatic antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in autoimmune disease-prone mice (102).
  • Cardiovascular agentsCardiovascular agents: The FDA issued a press release on September 8, 2004, announcing the availability of a qualified health claim for reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) from conventional foods, such as fish, that contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 fatty acids. In spontaneously hypertensive rats, a single oral administration of Antarctic krill peptide powder (AKPP) prepared from the tail meat of Antarctic krill by enzymatic hydrolysis significantly decreased systolic blood pressure (87).
  • Hepatotoxic herbs and supplementsHepatotoxic herbs and supplements: In high-fat-fed mice, krill oil supplementation resulted in a reduction in liver weight and total liver fat, possibly resulting from a reduction in hepatic triglycerides and cholesterol (86). In obese rats, krill oil lowered heart triglycerides and lowered endocannabinoids, anandamide, and 2-arachidonoylglycerol in the visceral adipose tissue, and anandamide in the liver and heart (101).
  • Hormonal herbs and supplementsHormonal herbs and supplements: Krill oil was shown to decrease physical and emotional symptoms associated with dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome, including breast tenderness and joint pain, in one randomized, double-blind trial (6).
  • HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: In high-fat-fed mice, krill oil supplementation resulted in decreased blood glucose levels (86). Hypoglycemic effects were also shown in human research (5).
  • HypotensivesHypotensives: In spontaneously hypertensive rats, a single oral administration of Antarctic krill peptide powder (AKPP) prepared from the tail meat of Antarctic krill by enzymatic hydrolysis significantly decreased systolic blood pressure (87).
  • Neurologic agentsNeurologic agents: Krill phosphatidylserine supplementation produced a significant improvement in escape latency for finding the platform in the Morris water maze in aged rats (12).
  • Osteoporosis agentsOsteoporosis agents: The effects of krill oil and other omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (omega-3 PUFA)-rich substances on bone mass in female rats were measured; however, specific details on krill oil are currently lacking (9). In female rats, consumption of krill protein concentrate failed to produce any significant effects on bone measurements of total bone mineral content (8).
  • Renal protective agentsRenal protective agents: In female rats particularly sensitive to diet-induced alterations in kidney function, krill protein concentrate supplementation resulted in higher glomerular filtration rates and lower proteinuria and lower urinary n-acetyl glucosaminidase (NAG) levels and minimal microtubular Ca deposition (8).
  • Vitamin AVitamin A: Neptune Krill OilT contains 50 IU of vitamin A. Vitamin A toxicity has been shown to cause severe liver disease (103).

    • Krill/Food Interactions:

  • Cholesterol-lowering dietary foodsCholesterol-lowering dietary foods: In some (5), but not all (91), human research, krill oil reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and HDL. In mice, krill oil supplementation decreased hypercholesterolemia; serum cholesterol levels were reduced by 20 ? 3, 29 ? 4, and 29 ? 5% (on diets consisting of 1.25% krill oil, 2.5%, or 5%, respectively) in one study (86). Decreased cholesterol was observed in another study in rats (100).

    • Krill oil/Lab Interactions:

  • Blood glucoseBlood glucose: In high-fat-fed mice, krill oil supplementation resulted in decreased blood glucose levels (86). Hypoglycemic effects were also shown in human research (5).
  • Blood lipidsBlood lipids: In some (5), but not all (91), human research, krill oil reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and HDL. In mice, krill oil supplementation decreased hypercholesterolemia; serum cholesterol levels were reduced by 20 ? 3, 29 ? 4, and 29 ? 5% (on diets consisting of 1.25% krill oil, 2.5%, or 5%, respectively) in one study (86). Decreased cholesterol was observed in another study in rats (100).
  • Blood pressureBlood pressure: In spontaneously hypertensive rats, a single oral administration of Antarctic krill peptide powder (AKPP) prepared from the tail meat of Antarctic krill by enzymatic hydrolysis significantly decreased systolic blood pressure (87).
  • Cardiovascular testingCardiovascular testing: The FDA issued a press release on September 8, 2004, announcing the availability of a qualified health claim for reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) for conventional foods that contain EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids.
  • C-reactive protein (CRP)C-reactive protein (CRP): In a clinical study of patients with arthritis, Neptune Krill Oil (NKOT) use resulted in reduced levels of CRP (4).
  • Platelet aggregation testsPlatelet aggregation tests: Taking high doses of fatty acids from fish oil (EPA and DHA) may modestly decrease platelet aggregation (89). Since krill oil also contains these fatty acids, taking high doses of krill oil might also inhibit platelet aggregation.
  • Serum cytokines (interleukins (IL), transforming growth factor-beta)Serum cytokines (interleukins (IL), transforming growth factor-beta): In collagen-induced arthritis-susceptible DBA/1 mice, supplementation with krill oil protected against experimental rheumatoid arthritis and resulted in a decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells into the joint (99).
  • Serum omega-3 statusSerum omega-3 status: In humans, krill oil produced a high level of EPA + DHA incorporation into plasma phospholipids (104). In overweight and obese men and women taking 2g of krill oil daily for four weeks, plasma EPA and DHA concentrations were shown to increase significantly more (p<0.001) in the krill oil group compared to the control group (98).