The Tiny Powerhouse

There is a famous saying which goes like this: “Good things come in small packages.” This is most certainly true when it comes to krill. Hailing from the zoo-plankton family, krill are crustaceans which very closely resemble shrimp and can be abundantly found in icy cold waters (the Antarctic Ocean, for instance).

These tiny creatures have been found to boast a plethora of health benefits due to their high content of eicopentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (the very same omega-3 fatty acids that are present in fish oil), and astaxanthin (a type of antioxidant which can help protects the body from free radical damage).

Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of this pint-sized crustacean.

Boosts heart health

In this time and age when everything – be it our jobs, studies or family – seems demand our energy and attention, it can be easy to overlook our health, especially that of our heart. But, why the heart of all things? Well, based on statistics from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2011, coronary heart disease is the leading killer in our country with a total mortality rate of as high as 25.4%. In light of these alarming figures, it is only appropriate that we take good care of this very organ. And we can do so by incorporating krill oil in our daily lives.

A Canadian study which involved 120 men and women aged between 25-75 years old reported that consuming krill oil helped lower elevated blood lipid and LDL cholesterol (otherwise, known as bad cholesterol)  levels while increasing HDL cholesterol level (also known as good cholesterol). But that wasn’t all. The study also found that a daily intake of 1-1.5g of krill oil had a more significant effect on LDL levels than a daily consumption of 3g of fish oil. That’s some food (pardon the pun) for thought right there!

Reduces inflammation

A study of 90 patients who had heart disease and/ or osteoarthritis and/ or rheumatoid arthritis reported that the subjects who took 300mg of krill oil daily experienced a significant decrease in inflammation and arthritic symptoms within 7-14 days compared to those who didn’t.

Other possible benefits of krill oil include:

• Easing menstrual pain
• Supporting healthy brain function
• Nourishing the skin
• Promoting a overall sense of wellbeing

So, do give krill oil a try. By combining your daily intake of krill oil with a healthy lifestyle (which encompasses regular physical activity and a well-balanced diet), good health can soon be yours!

References:

Deutsch L. (2007). Evaluation of the effect of Neptune Krill Oil on chronic inflammation and arthritis symptoms. J Am Coll Nutr.; 26(1):39-48.

Everyday Health. Available at www.everydayhealth.com

WebMD. Available at www.webmd.com

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