Evaluation of the effects of Neptune krill oil on the clinical course of hyperlipidemia

Alternative Medicine Review, Dec, 2004 by Ruxandra Bunea, Khassan El Farrah, Luisa Deutsch

Krill oil is a complex combination of multiple active ingredients with synergistic bioactivity. The exact mechanism of action for krill oil's lipid-lowering effects is not yet entirely clear. However, krill oil's unique biomolecular profile of omega-3 (EPA/DHA) fatty acids already incorporated into phospholipids has exhibited a lipid-lowering effect on the level of the small intestine, which distinguishes krill oil from other known lipid-lowering principals. (18, 19) Werner et al demonstrated essential fatty acids in the form of phospholipids were superior to essential fatty acids as triglycerides in significantly decreasing the saturated fatty acid ratios of liver triglycerides and phospholipids (each p < 0.05), while significantly increasing the phospholipid concentrations of the long-chain PUFAs (p < 0.05). (19)

LDL oxidation is believed to increase atherosclerosis through high serum LDL levels inducing LDL particles to migrate into subendothelial space. The process by which LDL particles are oxidized begins with lipid peroxidation, followed by fragmentation to short-chain aldehydes. At the same time, lecithin is converted to lysolecithin, a selective chemotactic agent for monocytes, which become macrophages that ingest oxidized LDL. The new macrophage becomes engorged with oxidized LDL cholesteryl esters and becomes a foam cell. Groups of foam cells form a fatty streak, the earliest indication of atherosclerosis. (34, 35)

The unique molecular composition of krill oil, with its abundance of phospholipids and antioxidants, may explain the significant effect of krill oil for blood lipid regulation. In comparison to fish oil, krill oil significantly lowered blood lipids at lower doses.

The effect of fish oil on cardiovascular disease is tempered by the presence of methyl-mercury in many fish. (33) In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has advised pregnant women and women who may become pregnant not to eat swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, shark, or fish from locally contaminated areas. (36) Therefore, it may be prudent to obtain these essential fatty acids via supplementation. Krill oil, and most fish oil concentrates, are molecularly distilled to remove heavy metals.

Conclusion

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is a major health problem in the Western world, with CAD being the leading cause of mortality in the United States. Extensive observational epidemiologic data strongly associate high CAD risk to elevated total and LDL cholesterol and low levels of HDL cholesterol. Extensive clinical trial evidence has established that favorably altering dyslipidemias produces clear improvements in CAD end points. (15-17)

The results of this clinical trial demonstrate that daily doses of 1-3 g krill oil are significantly more effective than 3 g EPA/DHA fish oil in the management of hyperlipidemia. Furthermore, a maintenance dose of 500 mg krill oil is significantly effective for long-term regulation of blood lipids. The unique molecular composition of krill oil, which is rich in phospholipids, omega3 fatty acids, and diverse antioxidants, surpasses the profile of fish oils and offers a superior approach toward the reduction of risk for cardiovascular disease.