Krill are shrimp-like crustaceans eaten by blue whale. Krill oil extracted from these crustaceans contains important omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA, fatty acids found in fish oils. Krill oil also has a high amount of a potent antioxidant called astaxanthin, along with small amounts of vitamin A and vitamin E, and perhaps small amounts of other undetermined beneficial compounds.

Antarctic Krill Oil, 500 mg, 30 Softgels - Club Natural

KriaXantin Krill Oil is an extremely high quality, solvent free extract from Antarctic krill that thrive wild in the pristine seas of Antarctica. This krill oil product is of benefit in men and women.

Krill Oil Supplement Facts per 2 softgels:
High Quality Antarctic Krill Oil (Euphasia pacifica) - 1000 mg * Yielding:
     Total Omega3 Fatty Acids - 130 mg *
     EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) - 50 mg *
     DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) - 20 mg *
     Total Omega6 Fatty Acids - 20 mg *
     Astaxanthin - 2.7 mg
     Plus, vitamins A and D

* Krill oil daily value not established

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Benefit of Krill Oil
A few studies have been done with krill oil which demonstrate it to have potential benefit in maintaining healthy cholesterol and also to play a role in premenstrual syndrome and menstrual cramps. More research with krill oil is needed before determining with confidence the role of these supplements in health and disease. We also need to see more research to determine if krill oil supplements offer any advantages over fish oil supplements. Until head to head comparisons are done with krill oil supplements versus fish oil supplements, it would be premature to claim that krill oil is better than fish oil, or vice versa. One option is to alternate the use of krill oil and fish oil, or to take one or two softgels of each daily. Be careful trusting web sites that claim one form of krill oil from one company is better than another form. There are many web sites that claim their krill oil is the best, and as you probably know by now, this is a common occurrence in the vitamin industry. Until head to head comparative studies are done with various different brands on humans, no one can say with certainty that a krill oil product from one company is superior to another krill oil product from a different company.

Krill oil or fish oil?
We often get asked whether krill oil is a better option as a supplement than fish oil or vice versa. Fish oil has a higher percentage of EPA and DHA fatty acids, however krill oil has the advantage of having astaxanthin, an important antioxidant, vitamins A and D, and possibly other nutrients such as small amounts of phospholipids. Therefore, one option is to use a softgel or two of each, or alternate their use. Since phospholipids can be easily obtained from food, such as eggs, or lecithin ( phosphatidylcholine is found in lecithin ) one wonders if krill oil supplements are necessary when a person eats a lot of fish, takes fish oil supplements, consumes a variety of vegetables and fruits, and has a diet with adequate intake of phospholipids.

Krill oil allergy in those who are allergic to shellfish
As of December 2007, I don't know for certain whether those with shellfish allergy would be able to take krill oil supplements. Just to be on the safe side, it may be a good idea to avoid krill oil pills until more research is available on this topic. I have not yet come across clinical studies regarding allergic reactions to krill oil consumption.

Reactivity of Shrimp Allergy-Related IgE Antibodies to Krill Tropomyosin.
Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2007 Oct 2;145(3). Nakano S, Yoshinuma T, Yamada T. Food Safety Research Institute, Nissin Food Products, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan.
Krill, which morphologically resembles small shrimp, represents small ocean crustaceans and has been used for human consumption in Japan and some other countries. The major allergen in crustaceans has been reported to be tropomyosin, but the allergenicity of krill tropomyosin remains uncertain. Amino acid sequences of tropomyosin in two species of krill (Euphausia superba and E. pacifica) were deduced. Recombinant krill tropomyosins were produced in Escherichiacoli using a pCold IV vector system, and the cross-reactivity of shrimp allergy-related IgE to the recombinant tropomyosins and several animal protein extracts was assessed by immunoblotting. The deduced amino acid sequences of the E. superba and E. pacifica tropomyosins (designated as Eup s 1 and Eup p 1, respectively) were 284 residues and showed significant homology to those of shrimp, lobster and crab tropomyosins. Shrimp allergy-related IgE reacted to approximately 38-kDa protein bands in krill (E. superba), shrimp, lobster and crab protein extracts but did not react to protein extracts from either mollusks or vertebrates. Furthermore, the IgE recognized rEup s 1 and rEup p 1 as 38-kDa protein bands, and absorption of the IgE with rEup s 1 removed IgE reactivity to recombinant tropomyosins and protein extracts from krill and shrimp. Conclusions: The cross-reactivity in shrimp allergy-related IgE binding among krill, shrimp, lobster and crab tropomyosins was revealed. These observations suggest the allergic potential of krill tropomyosin.
   Comments: I don't know how much tropomyosin is present in krill oil supplements and whether even tiny residues would have a clinical effect in those who are allergic to shellfish. If you are allergic to shellfish, particularly if you are severely allergic to shellfish, use fish oils instead of krill oil supplements.

Krill Oil research update
Evaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the clinical course of hyperlipidemia.
Altern Med Rev. 2004 Dec;9(4):420-8. Bunea R, El Farrah K, Deutsch L. Department of Internal Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
To assess the effects of krill oil on blood lipids, specifically total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), a multi-center, three-month, randomized study was done followed by a three-month, controlled follow-up of patients treated with 1 gram and 1.5 g krill oil daily. Patients with high blood lipids levels able to maintain a healthy diet and with blood cholesterol levels between 194 and 348 mg per dL were eligible for enrollment in the trial. A sample size of 120 patients (30 patients per group) was randomly assigned to one of four groups. Group A received krill oil at a body mass index (BMI)-dependent daily dosage of 2-3 g daily. Patients in Group B were given 1-1.5 g krill oil daily, and Group C was given fish oil containing 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) per gram of oil at a dose of 3 g daily. Group D was given a placebo containing microcrystalline cellulose. The krill oil used in this study was Neptune Krill Oil, provided by Neptune Technologies and Bioresources, Laval, Quebec, Canada. The results showed Krill oil 1-3 g per day to be effective in the reduction of glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and HDL, compared to both fish oil and placebo. It appears that krill oil is effective for the management of high lipid levels by reducing total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides, and increasing HDL levels. At lower and equal doses, krill oil was significantly more effective than fish oil for the reduction of glucose, triglycerides, and LDL levels.

Evaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the management of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea.
Altern Med Rev. 2003 May;8(2):171-9.
This study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of Neptune Krill Oil in the management of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea (painful cramps) and to also compare it to fish oils. The treatment period was three months with either Neptune krill oil or omega-3 fish oil. Results showed an improvement within the Neptune krill oil group as well as between-group comparison to fish oil, after three cycles or 45 and 90 days of treatment. Data analysis showed a significant reduction of the number of pain killers used for dysmenorrhea within the Neptune krill oil group. The between-groups analysis illustrated that women taking Neptune krill oil consumed significantly fewer analgesics during the 10-day treatment period than women receiving omega-3 fish oil. In conclusion it appears that Neptune Krill Oil can reduce dysmenorrhea and the emotional symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and is shown to be more effective for the complete management of premenstrual symptoms compared to omega-3 fish oil.

Environmental concerns regarding krill oil
Krill is a tiny crustacean that lives in cold bodies of water. It is comparable in EPA and DHA levels to fish but also has some potent antioxidants like astaxanthin. Sounds good right? Well there is one huge problem. They are whale food, and they are a declining species. Reports beginning in the late 90's didn't look good, and they are no better now. In 1997, Earth Observatory noted that as ice cover becomes less prominent, krill suffer. Not only that, but as noted in the journal Nature in November of 2004, licenses to fish for Krill commercially are likely to go bust since in some areas, populations of krill have fallen by 80% in the past 30 years.
   In April of 2007 I saw a " Planet Earth " episode which briefly mentioned that krill population is declining. For a different perspective, see a letter we received by Neptune Krill Oil company.

Neptune Technologies letter received May, 2006
Dear Dr. Sahelian,
I have read your web site on “Krill Oil” which I have found well done but for one aspect. I would like to contribute some more relevant information concerning specifically the “Environmental concerns regarding krill oil.”  As you know, animal populations fluctuate naturally over time. Antarctic Krill (Euphausia superba) populations do the same thing due to natural environmental fluctuating conditions. And until now there is no known scientific indication that it is a consequence of krill fishing and much less krill over fishing. For several years (since 1987) I have been and still am involved as oceanographer and developer in the task of exploiting krill. I am well aware that it is a sensible marine ecology topic.
     Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. (NTB) has been co-founded in 1998 by Mr. Henri Harland, CEO and President, and I as a marine zooplanktonologist and krill specialist, although both of us had been planning a similar project since 1992. Since July 2001, Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. is registered with TSX Toronto Stock Exchange under stock symbol NTB.  Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc.’s krill processing plant has been in operation since Fall 2002. NTB’s processing plant extracts primarily the total lipid fraction of Antarctic Krill – Neptune Krill Oil (NKOTM) which results in a valuable residual of protein concentrate with active enzymes Neptune Krill Aquatein (NKATM). The patented process in use – Neptune OceanExtract has been specially developed for krill processing. One mission of NTB as corporate citizen is to give access to human beings to the healthiest as possible substances obtained from a marine biomass with the lowest environmental impact on both marine (fishery) and terrestrial (processing site) ecosystems.
     We believe that there is an environmentally economical way to exploit a marine biomass under some conditions. The biomass must be abundant. The biomass yielded must not deprive predators. The biomass must be processed without residuals. If it is not the case then it will be used but never discarded. The biomass must reach the maximum added value possible on the market place. With that approach we believe then that the lowest quantities as possible of krill will be used contrary to the two main ways of exploiting it: as bait -what a pity- and aquaculture feed (as mentioned by Dr. Denzil MILLER, Executive Secretary, CCAMLR). For now, one can only say that the assumed declining Antarctic Krill population (Nature, November 2004)
(1) can be a phenomenon simply isolated in time and space
(2) is not yet corresponding necessarily to a general definite trend.
     Indeed, another Antarctic Krill huge population (estimated to tens of millions of tonnes) has been discovered in the far South Indian Ocean section of the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica between Australia and South Africa (below the tip of it) by Dr. Steve Nicol, Program Leader, Southern Ocean Ecosystems, Australian Antarctic Division (in Andrew Darby, Hobart, March 16, 2006, The Age Company Ltd., Antarctic researchers get a surprise and a thrill after moving in for the krill).
     It is somehow premature to claim that “licenses to fish Krill commercially are likely to go bust…”. Antarctic Krill fishery is under the surveillance and management principles of the 24-member nations of CCAMLR (Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources) based in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Although Antarctic Krill catch quotas decided by CCAMLR would probably stay the same over the next few years, one might ask to krill fishers that some precautionary catch procedures be more implemented. I would greatly appreciate that you take into account the actual updated information provided here when you will update your paper on Neptune Krill Oil (NKOTM).
     Would you need any extra information concerning krill biology and ecology I will be pleased to provide you with the most relevant and up to date information available including the appropriate references. Thank you for your time and cooperation. Best regards.
Luc A. RAINVILLE. M.Sc. Oceanography, Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc.
V.-P. Marine Biomass Procurement, Director of Regulatory Affairs

Enzymotec krill oil company press release Feb 2008
Israeli company Enzymotec has obtained GRAS status for its krill oil, which the company hopes will allow it to commercialize the ingredient for use in functional foods in the US. Krill oil, rich in omega-3, phospholipids and antioxidants, is derived from the planktonic family of crustacean. Enzymtec entered the still immature market for krill oil last year, supplying the ingredient for use in dietary supplements. According to the firm, its recently acquired GRAS status will help push the ingredient in other market segments. However, competitor Neptune Technologies and Bioressources - which currently dominates the market for krill oil - also announced in recent weeks that its krill oil has achieved GRAS status. Most of the science relating to krill oil to date has been conducted using Neptune Krill Oil (NKO). It has been shown to control LDL cholesterol levels, and also shows potential in cognitive health. Enzymotec's offering is said to have a different composition, so research on NKO would not necessarily be transferable. However, Enzymotec has said it is also conducting clinical research into the health benefits of its ingredient. Krill, which means 'whale food' in Norwegian, are small shrimp-like marine crustaceans eaten by fish, birds and, in particular, whales. Krill are considered to have the largest biomass of any multi-cellular animal in the world - between 100 and 800 million tones. Despite this, the population has reduced in the past 30 years, resulting in some concern over its harvesting. According to the Antarctic Krill Conservation Project, fish farming uses about 75 per cent of the world's fish oil and 40 per cent of its fish meal, and this could increase to 79 per cent and 48 per cent respectively by the end of this decade.

Krill Oil for PMS
Krill Oil is an extract from Antarctic krill that is rich in cell membrane building blocks consisting of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA & DHA). Although beneficial for both men and women, Neptune Krill Oil may be tried to see if there is temporary relief of PMS symptoms. Fish oils may also be helpful for PMS.

Krill Oil questions
Q.  I've eaten shrimp all my life and recently on a visit to an allergist i found out i was allergic to shrimp according to their skin tests. But other than a mild itching I don't experience any severe symptoms from consuming shrimp. I am interested in taking krill oil because of the outstanding health benefits. My question to you is how many milligrams should i start out with and how should i gradually increase it to build up my tolerance of this oil? I know you might tell me to ask my allergist but i already know his answer would be to stay away from it, but i'm interested on getting your input and advice. Thank you.
  A. Our role is not to give specific, individual advice on krill oil or any other supplement in regards to dosage or how to combine with other medications or supplements. We just provide general information and it is up to the consumer, along with their health care provider, to decide what is best for them. There may be a cause of concern regarding allergy to krill in those who are allergic to shellfish.

Q. I would like to begin taking krill oil, but I see that those with an blood coagulation should not take it. What specifically regarding a coagulation issue does this mean.
   A. Fish oils, such as krill oil, have blood thinning properties, and you would need to discuss with your doctor regarding the benefits versus risks. Your doctor can read this krill oil web page if not familiar with krill oil. We think small amounts of krill oil or fish oil, such as one softgel a day, should not have too much influence on blood clotting.

Q. Where can I get pure Antarctic krill oil?
   A. A google search for pure Antarctic krill oil should give you many options. Actually, Neptune krill oil and Kriaxanthin brand krill oil are derived from the Antarctic.

Q. Should krill oil be refrigerated? And how long can it be stored in the refrigerator?
   A. Fish oils should be refrigerated, and hopefully to be used within a few weeks of opening the bottle. The long chained fatty acids EPA and DHA are better off refrigerated since they last longer and are less likely to be oxidized. As to krill oil, we are not as certain. For the time being, until we see actual studies, we prefer that it also be refrigerated after the bottle is opened.

Q. Just noted your mention of krill oil on your website. I am a doctor and was excited when I first read about this and given that I have hypercholesterolemia (very responsive to statins) I decided to try going off statins and seeing the effects of Neptune krill oil. I took 2000 mg (4 capsules) a day for 2 months and saw no beneficial effect of krill oil on cholesterol or any lipid fraction. I think krill oil is another example of a hyped up natural product that has not been well tested.
   A. As to krill oil, sometimes we tend to look at absolute numbers on lab studies rather than other important matters. For instance, krill oil is full of EPA and DHA. These fatty acids get incorporated in many tissues in the body, including eye, brain, skin, various organs, heart, etc., and may also lead to improved microcirculation and decreased blood viscosity. By just looking at total cholesterol and fractions, without taking into account the fatty acid composition of these fractions, and without taking into account the beneficial aspects of these fatty acids from krill oil on other parts of the body does not give us the full picture of the benefits. Doctors and drug companies make the mistake of looking at cholesterol levels as if it that is the most important thing in cardiovascular health. But there is no study that says taking statins will make one live longer. In fact, stating cause serious side effects in many people including muscle tissue damage. Who knows, taking a statin could lower cholesterol but then reduce life span?? Whereas taking krill oil may not reduce cholesterol, but because of all the other potential benefits that fish oils provide, may increase life span. This is all theoretical of course, but the main point I want to make is that looking at cholesterol numbers as if that is the most important thing is not being holistic or scientifically comprehensive.

Q. Just read Neptune Krill Oil is good for arthritis - inflammation. My husband has been taking glucosamine chondroitin, MSM, omega 3 and Primrose oil which has helped. However, his fingers are still very swollen and times and he has trouble making a fist, especially after working all day (construction). Do you know of any side affects from Neptune Krill Oil?
   A. We're not aware of any apparent side effects from Neptune Krill Oil when used at reasonable amounts, for instance less than 4 or 5 softgels a day.

Q. Would someone who is severely allergic to shell fish be able to take Krill oil?
   A. This is a good question. As of December 2007, we don't have a definitive answer to this. Much depends on the extraction process of the krill oil. There are several companies who make krill oil, and each of them has a different method of extracting the oil. We don't know what kind of allergic residues would remain in the final krill oil supplement.

Q. I am interested in the krill oil supplement, particularly dosage for children, 10 yr old specifically. What are the parameters for pediatric dosage, if any?
   A. Krill oil has hardly been studied in children, but a softgel a day as a routine supplement should be quite safe.