Krill are tiny, shrimp-like creatures that travel in large groups in oceans around the world. Both Antarctic and Pacific krill, harvested for the omega-3 fatty acids they contain, serve as dietary supplements for those wanting to increase consumption of healthy fats. Specifically, krill are rich in eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, which are the same fatty acids found in fish oil that can reduce inflammation and lower your chance of developing of heart disease. Krill oil offers these fatty acids in a form that may be more efficiently absorbed than those from fish, but as with fish oil, there are some risks associated with it.
The omega-3 fatty acids in krill oil can increase your risk of bleeding under some conditions. If you have a bleeding disorder or tend to bruise easily, the supplement can prolong bleeding times. Even if your blood clotting functions normally, high doses of krill oil can make you bleed more if you get injured. Blood thinning medications, including aspirin, warfarin and clopidogrel, as well as herbal products containing St. John’s wort, can also increase your chances of abnormal bleeding when combined with krill oil.
The omega-3 fatty acids in krill oil may also interfere with other drugs. For instance, diabetes medications that lower your blood sugar – insulin, glyburide, glucophage and glipizide – may not work as effectively when you are taking krill oil. Consult your health care provider for possible dosing modifications to help keep your diabetes under control.
Krill oil, like fish oil, might cause gastrointestinal distress, with symptoms of gas, bloating and even diarrhea. High doses may increase your risk of these unpleasant side effects. Taking smaller doses, or splitting doses throughout the day, can minimize your likelihood of experiencing digestive upset. Taking krill oil instead of fish oil may or may not reduce the risk of bad breath or smelly burps associated with these types of supplements.
As a nutritional supplement, krill oil does not undergo the same level of scrutiny by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as do drugs or conventional foods. The product label, therefore, may be misleading in some way. For example, according to Consumer Reports, a company was notified of misbranded krill oil products in the summer of 2011, after the supplement had already reached the market. To minimize your risk of purchasing subpar krill oil, select your product from reputable manufacturers.
Articles For Your Diet
- The Medical Biochemistry Page: Nutritional Benefits of Krill Oil
- Harvard Health Publications: Is Krill Oil Better for the Heart Than Fish Oils?
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- New York University Langone Medical Center: Krill Oil
- Fish oil vitamins image by Stephen VanHorn from Fotolia.com