Krill oil and inflammation
Research published in the most recent issue of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition shows that a modest daily dose of krill oil markedly reduces inflammation and reduces the pain, stiffness and functional impairment associated with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis within one week.
I posted last summer on the regimen I had put together for my own golf-related aches and pains to replace the large doses of Advil (ibuprofen) I had been taking. In the same post I discussed a study published in Surgical Neurology showing that patients with severe back pain who opted to take fish oil instead of NSAIDS (Advil-like drugs) could, for the most part, achieve equivalent pain relief. This study was one in which the doctors gave a number of patients the option to switch from NSAIDs to fish oil, so the study wasn’t really hard science, but kind of soft science in that, as I wrote at the time, it was not a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Now, a Canadian researcher has published a very nice double-blind, placebo-controlled study using Neptune Krill Oil (NKO) that shows some pretty impressive results.
The paper begins with a discussion of krill and the oil derived from them.
Neptune Krill Oil is extracted from Antarctic Krill (Ephausia Superba), a zooplankton at the bottom of the food chain. Even though krill is the main food source for whales it remains the most abundant biomass on earth because of its high regeneration properties. The krill used for Neptune Krill Oil is harvested in the Antarctic Ocean where the worldwide harvest is less than 0.1% the allowed fishing quota. Being at the bottom of the food chain, having a very short lifespan of 1–2 years and living in the clean waters of the Antarctic Ocean, makes the krill and thus Neptune Krill Oil naturally pure of heavy metals, dioxins and pesticides.
The oil is extracted by a patented cold vacuum extraction process that protects the biomass from exposure to heat, light or oxygen. This protects the oil through-out its production and maintains the original nutrients of krill intact. The result is a concentrate of novel marine phospholipid carriers of eicosapentanoic (EPA) and docosahexanoic (DHA) fatty acids and potent antioxidants. The main antioxidants, astaxanthin and a novel flavonoid, similar to the 6,8-Di-C-glucosylluteolin, esterify the EPA and DHA respectively. This provides a significant stability and antioxidant potency to the oil.
The researcher who did this study wanted to see if NKO would not only reduce the symptoms of inflammation – pain, stiffness, and functional disability – but wanted to test a laboratory parameter of inflammation as well. She decided to use C-reactive protein (CRP) as her lab test to determine the degree of inflammation.
C-reactive protein (CRP), which is one of the most useful biomarkers of inflammation, appears to be a central player in the harmful effects of systemic inflammation and an easy and inexpensive screening test to assess inflammation-associated risk. Unlike other markers of inflammation, CRP levels are stable over long periods, have no diurnal variation and can be measured inexpensively.
Current studies suggest that CRP is a strong predictor of future cardiovascular events. At all levels of estimated 10-year risk for events according to the Framingham risk score and at all levels of LDL cholesterol, CRP remained a strong predictor of future cardiovascular risk. CRP has been shown in several prospective, nested case-control studies to be associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, sudden death from cardiac causes, and peripheral arterial disease.
In arthritic joints CRP production reflects the release of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukins-1 and -6 (IL-1 and IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-{alpha}), which are essential in the mechanism of cartilage degeneration. CRP is significantly increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and slightly but significantly higher in patients with osteoarthritis than in matched controls.
Since most experts are now beginning to believe that heart disease is driven by inflammation (not cholesterol), anything that reduces CRP, the primary marker of inflammation that everyone now tests for, generates a lot of interest.
Subjects who had a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease and/or rheumatoid arthritis and/or oseoarthritis were recruited and randomized into two groups. These subjects had their CRP tests monitored for three weeks to make sure that the levels were stable before starting the study. At the start all completed the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) arthritic pain assessment questionnaire, which is a standardized test used to quantify pain, stiffness and loss of function related to arthritis.
Subjects in the control arm got a placebo; those in the other arm got 300 mg of NKO each morning, a small dose. Most NKO softgels contain 500 mg of NKO. (My own regimen includes two gelcaps, giving me 1000 mg per day, over three times the amount taken by the study subjects.)
The subjects were tested for CRP and with the WOMAC at baseline, then at 7 days, 14 days and 30 days. The results were quite dramatic.
The published paper showed the data in tabular form, which is kind of difficult to read. I don’t know why they didn’t portray it graphically since that is so much more demonstrative, but they didn’t.
But I did. I took my trusty graph paper and red and blue markers and laid it out for you.
Here is the graph showing the dramatic decline in CRP levels in the subjects taking NKO compared to the controls.
You will notice that in the controls, the CRP shot up at first, then stabilized. This is probably because the control subjects had been taking NSAIDs before this study started and the rise in CRP is a rebound effect. The subjects taking the NKO were also on NSAIDS prior to the study, which makes the rapid reduction in CRP they experienced even more dramatic.
Here is the graph showing the decrease in pain.
The decrease in functional impairment. The lower the line, the less impairment.
I didn’t do a graph on the decrease in stiffness because it mirrored the others.
It is apparent from this study that NKO in a modest dose markedly reduces inflammation very quickly. In fact, the most significant changes were within the first week. In tandem with this striking decrease in CRP, a marker of inflammation, the actual symptoms of inflammation were reduced in a similar fashion.
Do these remarkable improvements come about because of the EPA and DHA in the NKO or because of the astaxanthin or the phospholipid structure or all of the above? No one really knows right now, but based on this study, it’s pretty clear that something in NKO is doing the job.
As reported by the author:
The results of the present study validate the potent anti-inflammatory properties of NKO and reinforce the potential mechanism of action. The CRP reduction induced by NKO demonstrates that NKO is a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of inflammation, particularly with all the recently proven adverse events of the most widely used NSAIDs. Furthermore, this study demonstrates a significant improvement in all 3 WOMAC scores among the 30 and 10 patients on NKO as compared to the 26 and 12 patients on placebo who were diagnosed with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. No adverse events were reported making NKO safe for human consumption.
In my view I think it would be a much better strategy to put everyone on one NKO softgel per day than a statin. But that’s just me.
I found your Blog after searching on Google for Neptune Krill Oil – and found it fascinating. I am in UK, so again did a search for suppliers of same and found http://www.myprotein.co.uk who supply a bottle of 90 capsules for £17.95 plus p & p (very reasonable at £1.25). I have ordered 3 bottles (p & p £1.98) as I would like my 2 sons to try them for a neurological condition – ataxia.
Also ordered Malcolm Kendrick’s book on your recommendation so look forward to reading that too! Had an interesting evening – thank you.
June
Welcome aboard. I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog.
Dr Eades:
I notice that yo no longer offer Krill Oil on your website. Is it something you still recommend? If so can you recommend a high quality source? Thanks!
We will be offering it again shortly. We had to resupply. One of the projects I’ve been working on is trying to figure out which of all the krill oil products are the best. I had assumed that krill oil was krill oil. Turns out, though, that this isn’t the case. All krill oils are not the same. I, myself, have been taking the one we sold on our site because it was less expensive than others. I’ve come to the conclusion that the krill oil produced by Neptune Technologies is the best overall for a number of reasons having to do with how the oil is extracted and processed, which I’ll describe in a lengthy blog post in due course. We have located a supplier (Neptune sells only to wholesalers) and have made an order. As soon as we get product, it will be back up. It ill be more expensive than the other, but I’ve found with krill oil that you get what you pay for.
Dear Dr. Eades,
I have a 15 year old son who has adhd/pdd and I have tried many things. For the past 3 months, I have been giving him 2 capsules every morning after breakfast, Dr. Mercola’s Krill Oil plus L-theanine which you probably know is an amino acid found in green tea. This helps with anxiety. So far it has helped him. He is calmer and his focus has gotten better. Is there any interaction with the L-theanine combined with krill oil?
Shouldn’t be.
Hi,
Very helpful information. I love your site and will spread the word of health and wellness. I am a cancer survivor and I know how important it is to be healthy. Our health is our greatest asset. keep up the good work
I was wondering if Krill Oil is found to be helpful for Colitis? Is there a certain amount that would be unsafe to take? Thanks.
Hello Dr. Eades
My name is Bonnie Prestin. My husband, William Prestin dob 8/12/65 is a normally healthy, formerly active and physically fit 44 year old man, 6 feet tall weighing about 200 pounds.
He’s always had a few (10 or less) lipomas which grow for years and unless they irritated him he just ignored them. He did have some on his left flank cut out in October 2008 here in Saginaw, MI by Dr. Shaheen.
In December 2009 (about 5 or 6 weeks ago) he started to get many tiny lumps like peas under his skin. He’s gotten about 200+ of them so far. They’re appearing on his arms, trunk, chest, back and thighs. These lumps are painful and they are multiplying rapidly and they’re growing. He had a core biopsy of one on his arm by my dermatologist, Dr. Gaffney, in Flint, Michigan a few weeks ago and the findings by the U of M were “angiolipoma” for that lump. This past week he had one removed by Dr. Shaheen in Saginaw. The biopsy isn’t back yet. It turned out not to be one, but two that were connected and about the size of a golf ball. No one expected that.
This is really affecting our lives. Bill used to be very active and able. Now he’s so tired he can hardly do anything. It’s very discouraging. It’s difficult to sleep because no matter which way he lays in bed it hurts.
At this rate, Bill’s going to have to have surgery every few weeks just to get all these things taken out. I’ve been reading about extended subcutaneous lipectomy – where a German hospital took out about 570 lipomas from one man and 240 from another in one operation with one incision. I’ve attached the abstract to this email (below). I’ve also just found information about ultrasonic liposuction and think that might be a useful technique to use on Bill.
We would like to know what’s causing this and how to make it stop, but failing that, we need to know how to proceed. Have you any thoughts as to fish oil helping him? Any thoughts about the situation and what it might be?
Thank you for your time.
Bonnie Prestin
This is an unusual and rare disorder that I know nothing about. I doubt seriously that fish oil or krill oil are going to be the solution. If I had to take a shot in the dark, I would say that it’s probably some sort of autoimmune disorder. Sorry I can’t be of more help.
Can you tell me how many of Dr. Mercola’s Krill oil I should take, and which fish oil to take and how much, and which curcumin product and dosage? I have inflammation all around the hip area, this pain occurs during the day and at night. I eat a healthy diet, exercise and take various supplements. I carry heavy packages of groceries practically every day up 5 flights of stairs. I am 58 years.
Should I see a doctor? I don’t know which type to see. I have hypothyroidism, so should I see an Endocrinologist, or a cardiologist since inflammation affects the heart. I have energy issues even though I have increased Nature-throid. Thank you for your assistance, Debra
I’m not familiar with Dr. Mercola’s krill oil, so I can’t tell you how much to take. You should probably see someone about your arthritis. I would recommend a good primary care doctor. Most primary care physicians can take care of all the problems you mentioned.
Thank you for your response. I look forward to sharing any positive results or information learned along the way.
Best wishes to you and the readers.
Debra
Hi Dr. Eades,
I am so confused ! Could you please tell me why the Jarrow Formula Krill Oil doesn’t list any vitamin A from Krill or vitamin E from Krill? I’ve about finished my second bottle of “Healthy Choice Nutritionals Krill Oil” and that is the first two ingredients they list.
Vitamin A (from krill) 94 IU
Vitamin E ( from krill) 0.9 IU
Krill Oil 1000 mg
EPA 162 mg
DHA 104 mg
Omega-6 25 mg
Omega -9 92 mg
Other Omega -3 Fatty Acids 70 mg
Other Ingredients,,, Gelatin, Glycerin,and Purified Water
Is this NKO Krill Oil ?
What do you think of this formula ? It’s a little high at $24+ so I was looking to see if I could find anything as good but a little cheaper.
Thank you, Vi Hicks
Does Krill Oil help to reduce uric acid? I am allergic to Allopurinol and Probenimid.
Many thanks,
I’ve never seen studies showing it does. That doesn’t mean there aren’t studies showing an affect, I just haven’t seen one. Krill oil should help with inflammation, however.
[...] As others mention, krill oil might be something to take a look at. I guess less of it needs to be taken to receive benefit. Krill oil and inflammation Krill oil and inflammation | The Blog of Michael R. Eades, M.D. [...]
I got some krill oil from Dr. Mercola’s website, but after I received it, I realized it was made from tiny shell fish, something I have to avoid with gout. I have been trying to research the effects of krill oil on uric acid levels without success. I do know krill oil is a wonderful anti-inflamatory but remain cautious about taking it until I have more evidence of it’s possitive affects on gout.
Great info. I suffer from severe osteoarthritis in my left ankle. I’ve had one arthroscopy to remove diseased cartilage and otherwise am under my surgeon’s advice to do anything & everything to put off a fusion for as long as possible as I’m only 38 and we’re both hoping another solution comes along before it comes to that.
In any case I’m taking a supplement with 900mg fish oil + 300mg Neptune Krill, twice daily. (I was up to 3x daily but since I already have von willebrand’s 2N I began to bleed & bruise too easily.)
On the Krill vs. just a regular fish oil supplement I’ve seen an amazing difference in the pain & inflammation levels in my bad ankle. I started krill when a friend who has his own share of joint pain told me about it, and it was well worth trying out. I’ll continue 2 pills daily as it gives me significant pain relief without any excessive bleeding, and without the kidney risks of Advil or Aleve.
Hi Mike:
I just wanted to reply to the blogger re: vit e reports of harm. In the studies reviewed there was no mention of what form of vit e used. If only the alpha-tocopherols are used it can cause a relative deficiency of the other e’s (gamma tocopherol etc.) The other problem is that vit e will metabolize a small amount of co-enzyme Q10. If the heart is already low on Q10 (particularly if taking statins), then low quality vit e could be the straw that breaks the cardiac back. If complete vit e and a bit of Q10 are taken there will be no heart issues from it other than its benefits.
cheers
ward hazen