Krill oil essential for maintaining good health

AS WE age, we are constantly looking to improve our memory and maintain a healthy liver, nerve system, and muscle tone.

Getting the right essential fatty acids, such as Omega-3, can also help us maintain good health.

One of the best sources for Omega-3 is krill oil, derived from the tiny, shrimp-like crustaceans ( right) that live in the Antarctic Ocean.

The Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA found in krill oil are carried in phospholipids, which are easily absorbed by cells.

A small dose of phospholipidbound Omega-3 can provide clinical benefits to humans, especially in our golden years.

Krill oil also contains phosphatidylcholine, a class of phospholipids which can be easily obtained from a variety of readilyavailable sources, such as egg yolk, or soybeans.

Phosphatidylcholine is said to be necessary for cell repair and cell renewal, and makes up a vital component found in every cell of the human body.

In addition, krill contain naturally high levels of astaxanthin (carotenoid pigment), a powerful antioxidant that fights harmful free radicals which cause accelerated ageing.

Due to its antioxidant properties, astaxanthin is beneficial for eye and skin health, and helps prevent cardiovascular, immune, inflammatory, and neurodegenerative diseases.

In order to reduce production costs, krill oil suppliers ship the krill harvested from the Antarctic Ocean to their own factories for processing.

They do this by freezing the krill to prevent oxidation, and the production process may take up to seven months each time.

However, freezing as well as light and humidity can destroy the astaxanthin which helps to protect the Omega-3 from oxidation.

This explains why some krill oil supplements contain low amounts of astaxanthin, and have inactive phospholipids, accompanied by a rancid smell.

To reap the full nutritional benefits of these compounds, choose activated krill oil with active phospholipids, and those which contain naturally high levels of astaxanthin.

Also opt for krill oil which has been encapsulated by top-rated manufacturers.

This article is brought to you by Nuvanta Sdn Bhd. For more, call 03-5636 3758 or email pharmacist@nuvanta.com.