Comments on: Another reason to opt for krill oil http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/another-reason-to-opt-for-krill-oil/ A critical look at nutritional science and anything else that strikes my fancy. Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:02:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: John Borde http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/another-reason-to-opt-for-krill-oil/comment-page-3/#comment-131464 John Borde Thu, 22 May 2008 16:06:05 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/another-reason-to-opt-for-krill-oil/#comment-131464 I've finally decided to start supplementing my diet with fish oil. I've looked into all of the formulations and many of the "pharmaceutical grade" brands. Just when I thought I had decided what I'd used, the question of liquid or pill entered my mind. I know the liquids are generally more potent and cheaper per milligram. But I'm wondering about oxidation levels. We all know that if the oil smells really bad it's probably rancid. But what if it's not quite to the point that it smells? If the oil is so easily oxidized, won't oxidation begin and continue as soon as it's bottled because of the oxygen in the neck of the sealed bottle? Even if i refrigerate it after opening it, isn't oxidation going on? If it's a month supply how many free radicals are present after 3 weeks even when properly kept? How significant is the exposure to the free radicals when taking the oil even if only slightly oxidized compared to our everyday exposure? Do the soft-gels confer a measure of protection against oxidation compared to the liquid because the oil is sealed in the capsule? <em>The soft-gels provide some measure of protection, but the soft-gels are permeable to oxygen. As are the plastic bottles in which they come. The best way I've found to keep fish oil fresh is to buy the soft-gels, then transfer them to glass bottles and keep them in the fridge.</em> I’ve finally decided to start supplementing my diet with fish oil. I’ve looked into all of the formulations and many of the “pharmaceutical grade” brands. Just when I thought I had decided what I’d used, the question of liquid or pill entered my mind.

I know the liquids are generally more potent and cheaper per milligram. But I’m wondering about oxidation levels. We all know that if the oil smells really bad it’s probably rancid. But what if it’s not quite to the point that it smells? If the oil is so easily oxidized, won’t oxidation begin and continue as soon as it’s bottled because of the oxygen in the neck of the sealed bottle? Even if i refrigerate it after opening it, isn’t oxidation going on? If it’s a month supply how many free radicals are present after 3 weeks even when properly kept? How significant is the exposure to the free radicals when taking the oil even if only slightly oxidized compared to our everyday exposure? Do the soft-gels confer a measure of protection against oxidation compared to the liquid because the oil is sealed in the capsule?

The soft-gels provide some measure of protection, but the soft-gels are permeable to oxygen. As are the plastic bottles in which they come. The best way I’ve found to keep fish oil fresh is to buy the soft-gels, then transfer them to glass bottles and keep them in the fridge.

]]> By: Stephen Chakwin http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/another-reason-to-opt-for-krill-oil/comment-page-3/#comment-116407 Stephen Chakwin Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:15:14 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/another-reason-to-opt-for-krill-oil/#comment-116407 Mainstream media starting to get it (maybe) on fish oil and the like. Here's a link from the BBC on a study that showed that arthritis patients who were given cod liver oil cut down their use of antiinflammatories without experiencing an increase in pain Best, Stephen Mainstream media starting to get it (maybe) on fish oil and the like. Here’s a link from the BBC on a study that showed that arthritis patients who were given cod liver oil cut down their use of antiinflammatories without experiencing an increase in pain
Best,

Stephen

]]> By: Marco http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/another-reason-to-opt-for-krill-oil/comment-page-3/#comment-97123 Marco Sat, 02 Feb 2008 22:32:40 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/another-reason-to-opt-for-krill-oil/#comment-97123 Mike, please, I would like to know your thoughts about this: http://trevormarshall.com/BioEssays-Feb08-Marshall-Preprint.pdf http://bacteriality.com/2007/09/15/vitamind/#9 Vitamin D as an immunosuppressive steroid? Cancer promoting?!? Gulp... Marco <em>I'll post on it soon. MRE</em> Mike, please, I would like to know your thoughts about this:

http://trevormarshall.com/BioEssays-Feb08-Marshall-Preprint.pdf
http://bacteriality.com/2007/09/15/vitamind/#9

Vitamin D as an immunosuppressive steroid?
Cancer promoting?!?

Gulp…

Marco

I’ll post on it soon.

MRE

]]> By: g http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/another-reason-to-opt-for-krill-oil/comment-page-3/#comment-95637 g Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:02:21 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/another-reason-to-opt-for-krill-oil/#comment-95637 John N, I would agree from my experience -- if one is on an optimal dose of DHA+EPA 'seafood' oils, then one should notice improvement in mental alertness, acuity and sync-ing of the synapses! Since I've been taking them for the last 2-3 mos I notice a huge improvement. It is not as if I'm going to join Mensa now (like perhaps some of you here) but I do feel mentally rejuvenated, handle stress better, and sleep is improved. I've reviewed some ALA diets and studies, however without fish oils DHA + EPA, the benefits for the brain and heart are apparently not evident. The longest chains (for conductivity) in nature are the seafood oils DHA and EPA. Thanks! g John N,
I would agree from my experience — if one is on an optimal dose of DHA+EPA ‘seafood’ oils, then one should notice improvement in mental alertness, acuity and sync-ing of the synapses! Since I’ve been taking them for the last 2-3 mos I notice a huge improvement. It is not as if I’m going to join Mensa now (like perhaps some of you here) but I do feel mentally rejuvenated, handle stress better, and sleep is improved. I’ve reviewed some ALA diets and studies, however without fish oils DHA + EPA, the benefits for the brain and heart are apparently not evident. The longest chains (for conductivity) in nature are the seafood oils DHA and EPA. Thanks! g

]]> By: g http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/another-reason-to-opt-for-krill-oil/comment-page-3/#comment-95484 g Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:08:11 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/another-reason-to-opt-for-krill-oil/#comment-95484 I'm not sure if it takes that much mercury to accumulate (probably depends on Vitamin D status as well b/c as you know if you're deficient, then your body nonselectively uptakes any mineral like Hg++ which looks like Ca++ calcium)... Daphne Zuniga of Melrose Place fame is a strong proponent of testing for mercury b/c she became toxic from 'eating healthy' with frequent fish. I've heard of several other stories as well! My husband's friend has a brother who is a fisherman in San Francisco Bay. Recently his blood tested 75 for mercury (10 and less is normal). Other people who have canned tuna or Ahi for lunch a couple times a week end up toxic too... I think if Krill oil has < 1ppm Hg (mercury) than that's actually a better product (and safer to take if you're conceivable taking them indefinitely/forever) than most purified, filtered fish oil capsules available on the market at this time. Anyone know? THANK YOU DR. Eades for another informative, discussion-provoking post!! Keep up the commentary and sharing your insights, I miss your wry wit in the comments section... :) g I’m not sure if it takes that much mercury to accumulate (probably depends on Vitamin D status as well b/c as you know if you’re deficient, then your body nonselectively uptakes any mineral like Hg++ which looks like Ca++ calcium)…

Daphne Zuniga of Melrose Place fame is a strong proponent of testing for mercury b/c she became toxic from ‘eating healthy’ with frequent fish. I’ve heard of several other stories as well! My husband’s friend has a brother who is a fisherman in San Francisco Bay. Recently his blood tested 75 for mercury (10 and less is normal). Other people who have canned tuna or Ahi for lunch a couple times a week end up toxic too… I think if Krill oil has < 1ppm Hg (mercury) than that’s actually a better product (and safer to take if you’re conceivable taking them indefinitely/forever) than most purified, filtered fish oil capsules available on the market at this time. Anyone know?
THANK YOU DR. Eades for another informative, discussion-provoking post!! Keep up the commentary and sharing your insights, I miss your wry wit in the comments section… :)

g

]]> By: auntulna http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/another-reason-to-opt-for-krill-oil/comment-page-3/#comment-95323 auntulna Tue, 29 Jan 2008 22:09:45 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/another-reason-to-opt-for-krill-oil/#comment-95323 I am weird no doubt, but about seven years ago, I began eating a can of tuna for lunch Mon-Friday. (tuna fillet in olive oil). I did this for three years, with hardly any variation. Then I heard about mercury and had my level tested. It was 10, the upper limit of the lab's normal range. I began to eat other things, but still eat tuna sometimes. I will have the level tested again soon. My point is that I think it takes A LOT of tuna or other fish to get into the toxic range. I am weird no doubt, but about seven years ago, I began eating a can of tuna for lunch Mon-Friday. (tuna fillet in olive oil). I did this for three years, with hardly any variation. Then I heard about mercury and had my level tested. It was 10, the upper limit of the lab’s normal range. I began to eat other things, but still eat tuna sometimes. I will have the level tested again soon.

My point is that I think it takes A LOT of tuna or other fish to get into the toxic range.

]]> By: Alex http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/another-reason-to-opt-for-krill-oil/comment-page-3/#comment-95185 Alex Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:55:40 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/another-reason-to-opt-for-krill-oil/#comment-95185 I checked out Bronwyn's blog, and she is not someone I would ever consult for nutritional advice. Not only does she advocate the kind of grain-bean feedlot diet that made me fat, she also heartily endorses T. Colin Campbell's überidiotic, junk science 'China Study'. I checked out Bronwyn’s blog, and she is not someone I would ever consult for nutritional advice. Not only does she advocate the kind of grain-bean feedlot diet that made me fat, she also heartily endorses T. Colin Campbell’s überidiotic, junk science ‘China Study’.

]]> By: Michele http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/another-reason-to-opt-for-krill-oil/comment-page-2/#comment-95068 Michele Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:35:50 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/another-reason-to-opt-for-krill-oil/#comment-95068 Dr Eades, I have to say, I understand that you don't have the time, but I miss your responses. Some posters are "filling in" for you well though. If you have time in the future could you comment on those "Omega 3" eggs? I looked online for info but could find none. I find they have a very mild fish smell that I don't mind but do we have to worry about fats going rancid during normal egg storage? Do the eggs really have the Omega 3's that they claim and are they a good choice or a waste of money? Already looking forward to the new book! Michele Dr Eades,

I have to say, I understand that you don’t have the time, but I miss your responses. Some posters are “filling in” for you well though. If you have time in the future could you comment on those “Omega 3″ eggs? I looked online for info but could find none. I find they have a very mild fish smell that I don’t mind but do we have to worry about fats going rancid during normal egg storage? Do the eggs really have the Omega 3′s that they claim and are they a good choice or a waste of money?

Already looking forward to the new book!
Michele

]]> By: Marco http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/another-reason-to-opt-for-krill-oil/comment-page-2/#comment-94789 Marco Mon, 28 Jan 2008 21:53:33 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/another-reason-to-opt-for-krill-oil/#comment-94789 http://bacteriality.com/2007/09/15/vitamind/#9 http://bacteriality.com/2007/09/15/vitamind/#9

]]> By: Max http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/another-reason-to-opt-for-krill-oil/comment-page-2/#comment-94602 Max Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:45:57 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/another-reason-to-opt-for-krill-oil/#comment-94602 @Bronwyn: The problem with plant sources is that the Omega-3's in things like Flax, Kiwi and Almonds are mostly ALA. ALA is not an essential fatty acid. EPA and DHA are the essentials. ALA converts to EPA/DHA. But conversion rates are bad (2%-5% for EPA, 2-15% for DHA). That's an awful lot of flaxseed to get what a little bit of krill will give you. If we're talking whole foods, you also get around the leaky gut that the vast amounts of fiber in flaxseed would cause you. And, the bulk. It's volumetrics argument in favor of flax. Fish are the more nutrient dense option, with a better profile of omega-3's to boot. Ditto for grass fed beef. Ditto for eggs. @Bronwyn:

The problem with plant sources is that the Omega-3′s in things like Flax, Kiwi and Almonds are mostly ALA. ALA is not an essential fatty acid. EPA and DHA are the essentials. ALA converts to EPA/DHA. But conversion rates are bad (2%-5% for EPA, 2-15% for DHA). That’s an awful lot of flaxseed to get what a little bit of krill will give you.

If we’re talking whole foods, you also get around the leaky gut that the vast amounts of fiber in flaxseed would cause you. And, the bulk. It’s volumetrics argument in favor of flax. Fish are the more nutrient dense option, with a better profile of omega-3′s to boot. Ditto for grass fed beef. Ditto for eggs.

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