A Crustacean Cocktail For Comfortable Joints

by VRP Staff

The shrimp-like crustacean known as krill may not sound as appealing as wild Alaskan salmon… but believe it or not, this coldwater shellfish could play a more important role in your diet than you ever thought possible.

An abundant natural source of the powerful antioxidant astaxanthin and rich in omega-3 fatty acids—including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)—krill oil is rapidly gaining notoriety as a natural food supplement that has unique effects, with an impressive list of health benefits firmly attached to its name. And if you’ve been fiercely defending the health of your joints, you’ll be especially interested in the emerging science behind this crustacean-based daily supplement.

Recently, researchers set out to evaluate krill oil’s potential benefits by examining its effects on a group of genetically susceptible mice with joint issues. As part of this study, the mice were fed either a standard diet or a diet supplemented with krill oil or fish oil, and then evaluated for factors such as paw swelling, joint function and levels of cytokines (immune cells that your body releases as part of its inflammatory response) in the blood.

Results showed that the mice that received the omega-3 fatty acids from krill oil experienced significant improvements in both joint function and hind paw swelling when compared to the mice fed only the standard diet. Joint analysis also revealed that krill oil supplementation was able to modulate the accumulation and infiltration of inflammatory cells into joints, while inhibiting cell proliferation in the synovial layer (that is, the joints’ lining).

Despite the fact that krill oil had no effect on blood levels of key inflammatory mediators, the researchers still observed that the mice administered krill oil were the only ones to continue to see improvements in joint health scores well into the later phases of the study. The authors’ conclusion: If krill oil works as well in humans as it does in mice, it might be a safe and effective solution for long-lasting joint comfort and maximum mobility.¹

Vitamin Research Products® offers a unique Krill Oil blend—combining krill phospholipids and omega-3s with fish oil, mixed tocopherols, medium-chain triglycerides, rosemary extract and algae-derived astaxanthin into each fatty acid-packed softgel of Krill Oil. The phospholipid-bound omega-3s from krill are highly bioavailable, which facilitates their absorption and incorporation into cells of the body.

Reference:

1. Ierna M, Kerr A, Scales H, Berge K, Griinari M. Supplementation of diet with krill oil protects against experimental rheumatoid arthritis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2010 Jun 29;11:136.