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Superba™ krill oil significantly increases plasma levels of omega-3 EPA and DHA, study shows

Highlights

  • Superba™ krill oil is a source of highly bioavailable omega-3 fatty acids
  • Significant increases in plasma levels of omega-3 EPA and DHA levels reported
  • Effective dosage is 2g/day of Superba™ krill oil

Summary

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 75 overweight or obese men and women, 35 to 64 years of age, who were assigned to take four capsules per day containing 2 g/day of either Superba™ krill oil (providing 216 mg/day EPA and 90 mg/day DHA), menhaden oil (providing 212 mg/day EPA and 178 mg/day DHA), or olive oil (control) for 4 weeks. Subjects were encouraged to take 2 capsules with each of two meals.

Results indicate that krill oil and, to a lesser extent, menhaden oil significantly (P<.001) increased plasma EPA and DHA compared to control (see Table 1) and is well tolerated with no adverse effects.

Table 1. Increase in Plasma EPA & DHA with 4 Weeks Treatment

Treatment (2 g/d)

EPA (mmol/L)

DHA (mmol/L)

Krill Oil

178 + 39*

90 + 40*

Menhaden Oil

132 + 28*

150 + 30*

Olive Oil (Control)

3 + 14

-1 + 32

* Significant difference (P<.001) compared to control.

 

These findings indicate that omega-3 fatty acids found in krill oil, which are in the phospholipid form, are highly bioavailable and increase plasma EPA and DHA levels.

Superba™ is a trademark of the Aker Group.

Reference

Maki KC, Reeves MS, Farmer M, et al. Krill oil supplementation increases plasma concentrations of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in overweight and obese men and women. Nutr Res. 2009;29(9):609-15.

PMID: 19854375
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