Never heard of krill oil? Then it's high time you did, because krill oil is one of the healthiest and highest-quality sources of omega-3 in the world.
The oil, extracted from small shrimp-like crustaceans, has many advantages over conventional fish oil. Learn more here about these benefits and how you can use it to improve your mental and physical performance, as well as your overall health.
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BRAINEFFECT HACK : Not only is it more sustainable than conventional fish oil capsules, it also contains plenty of important DHA, EPA and phospholipids.
1. What is krill oil anyway?
Krill oil is extracted from Antarctic krill , small shrimp-like crustaceans , and is currently the ultimate superfood. Because krill has adapted to the incredible conditions in the depths of Antarctic waters, it possesses incredible power, which primarily affects our health and brain function. Krill live together in large swarms and are a food source for many other animals and fish.
Due to its abundance , krill oil is considered particularly ecologically sustainable . Regarding its effectiveness, krill oil is often compared to conventional fish oil, as both contain very high levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the form of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
Research repeatedly confirms that the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and DPA are the healthiest fats you can consume. It's important to get enough of this BRAINFOOD Omega-3 because these fatty acids are essential fats .
This means the body needs them to function properly. Krill oil also provides large amounts of phospholipids , which are essential for brain function. Their positive effect on human brain health was recently confirmed in a study conducted by Ohio State University [1].
But omega-3 is also extremely important for the rest of the body. A study from the University of Maryland found that both heart disease and high cholesterol levels can be treated with omega-3 fatty acids [2].
BRAINEFFECT HACK : Krill is a sustainable alternative to fish oil capsules for consuming Omega 3 fatty acids. That's why we offer high-quality KRILL BOOST with the Omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA.
2. The effect of krill oil
There are many benefits related to the unique effects of krill oil. The omega-3 fatty acids it contains play a crucial role in brain metabolism , but the fatty acids are also vital for the cardiovascular system and vision. Here's how it works: The human body, including the brain , consists of a vast number of cells, which in turn are protected by their cell walls.
And that's where omega-3 fatty acids come into play, because these cell walls consist largely of fats , or phospholipids , and are essential for their functionality and health. This is also one of the key benefits of krill oil. The better your body and brain are supplied with this essential fatty acid, the healthier you are and the better your mental performance.
3. How is krill oil actually obtained?
Krill oil is derived from the small crustacean species krill, which is found throughout the Southern Ocean and especially in the Antarctic . There, these tiny crustaceans are found in swarms in very large numbers. Because they are primarily caught in the Antarctic, which is still largely untouched, the krill is also virtually free of harmful substances such as mercury. Krill is caught in the Antarctic using environmentally friendly methods that eliminate any form of bycatch .
BRAINEFFECT KRILL BOOST uses a process approved by the Marine Stewardship Council, which makes it possible to trace the entire catch.
Experience has shown that krill oil retains its pure quality best when produced directly on the ship. Therefore, our krill oil is also produced directly on the ship to guarantee the best possible quality and purity.
BRAINEFFECT HACK: Krill oil is an oil extracted from Antarctic krill that contains an extremely high proportion of health-promoting omega-3 fatty acids.
4. Krill oil or fish oil: Which is the better choice?
If you're interested in buying krill oil, you'll quickly come across offers for fish oil. Many people aren't really familiar with the topic and don't know whether krill oil or fish oil is better. However, krill oil has numerous advantages over fish oil that simply make it the healthier and more effective product.
A study by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health confirmed that over 90% of the omega-3 in fish oil is lost due to poor bioavailability [4]
Thus, taking fish oil quickly becomes unnecessary if the omega-3 it contains cannot be properly absorbed by the body. Krill oil has the advantage of being naturally bound to phospholipids , which are more easily absorbed by the body .
This means the omega-3 contained in the product is simply better utilized by the body. A study by Indiana University Bloomington has now revealed just how significant the benefit of phospholipid binding really is [3]. One test group was given krill oil and the other group was given fish oil in the same dose.
The results were clear: After four weeks of supplementation, the blood levels of DHA and EPA were significantly higher in the krill test group .
This proves that krill oil is simply the more effective product. Another advantage when considering whether to use krill oil or fish oil is its sustainability.
Unlike many fish species like salmon, krill oil is not an endangered species . Quite the opposite: the biomass of krill in the world's oceans is over 600 million tons . That's twice the mass of all the people on Earth!
Furthermore, only 10% of the permitted catch quota is reached each year. This makes krill an extremely abundant and, above all, sustainable source of the valuable oil without harming fish populations. The biomass is not only sustainable but also pure.
Fish oil often contains contamination from mercury and other pollutants , which the fish absorb through the polluted sea water and are harmful.
Krill oil, on the other hand, is at the very bottom of the food chain and feeds only on purely plant-based phytoplankton , which contains no pollutants. Therefore, the question of whether krill oil or fish oil is better no longer arises.
BRAINEFFECT HACK : Get high-quality krill oil in our KRILL BOOST capsules
5. Benefits of krill oil
1. Bioavailability: Krill oil can be better absorbed by the body
Krill oil and fish oil have different compositions of nutrients and are therefore absorbed differently by the body. While they both contain extremely high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, those in krill oil bind with phospholipids, while those in fish oil bind with triglycerides.
Two clinical studies from Indiana University Bloomington have now shown that the body finds it easier to absorb and utilize the composition of krill oil.
After a four-week intake of both substances, the levels of DHA and EPA in the blood were significantly higher with krill oil [4]. Simply put, the body absorbs krill oil better, and you generally need to use less of it.
2. Heart health: Krill oil increases the Omega-3 index in the blood in the long term
The omega-3 found in krill oil has long been linked to heart health. Furthermore, the so-called Omega-3 Index provides additional insight into a person's overall health and indicates how much omega-3 is present in the blood.
While most dietary supplements increase this index, the speed and efficiency of this enrichment depend on the source of the fatty acid. Various studies have shown that only krill oil can increase the index over the long term.
3. Concentration & Memory: The compound in krill oil is deposited directly in the cell membrane of the brain
The omega-3 fatty acids in krill oil can support your concentration and memory. The reason for this lies in the neurological structure of the brain, which consists largely of fatty acids. Too little of these fats can lead to concentration difficulties and memory lapses.
Krill oil has the advantage over fish oil in that its compound can be stored directly in the cell membrane, increasing membrane permeability. This supports the exchange of information between your brain cells.
4. Well-being: Omega-3 fatty acids contribute to the release of serotonin and dopamine
Several studies have linked omega-3 fatty acids to improved well-being. It is assumed that omega-3 leads to an increase and harmonization of hormone levels. More specifically, it increases the two happiness hormones serotonin and dopamine. This has a significant effect on well-being.
5. Krill oil is the purest oil on the market
While many fish oils contain a detectable amount of the toxin mercury, this is not the case with krill oil. The reason for this is krill's role in the marine food chain. These tiny creatures feed only on phytoplankton, which does not contain mercury. Thus, krill omega-3 is considered the purest of all.
6. Krill oil is sustainable
With an impressive total weight of 500 million tons, tiny krill constitute one of the world's largest biomasses. However, each year only less than 1% of this biomass is used for oil extraction and research purposes, making them a unique, abundant, and sustainable source of omega-3 fatty acids.
7. Krill oil doesn’t taste like fish
The oil's final advantage, namely its good taste , may sound unimportant at first, but it shouldn't be underestimated. Fish oil has the disadvantage that many people find the smell and taste extremely unpleasant, leaving a fishy taste in their mouth for hours afterward. This doesn't happen with krill oil, although this oil is also often sold in capsules.
6. Buy krill oil
Although krill oil initially sounds like a liquid oil, it is actually only available in capsule form. In capsule form, the krill oil is optimally compressed and tasteless .
This is a significant advantage over fish oil. Many people find both the smell and taste very unpleasant, making daily intake a challenge.
If you choose our BRAINEFFECT KRILL BOOST, you'll discover that the capsules not only smell great, but also offer additional benefits over other krill oils. KRILL BOOST contains the maximum possible concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, ensuring your brain and heart function at their best.
7. Conclusion
While krill oil isn't vegan, it's a significantly more sustainable source of high-quality omega-3 fatty acids. Krill oil's omega-3 fatty acids consist primarily of DHA and EPA, which are considered among the healthiest fatty acids of all. It also contains phospholipids, which are also important for brain function.
8. Sources
[1] https://www.plefa.com/article/S0952-3278(04)00007-9/abstract
[2] https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/eicosapentaenoic-acid-epa
[3] https://nccih.nih.gov/research/statistics/NHIS/2012/natural-products/omega3
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19854375
[5] http://examine.com/supplements/krill-oil/#summary2-0
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