The One Reason Athletes Need Krill Oil

The One Reason Athletes Need Krill Oil

Athletes perform better and recover faster when they supplement with krill oil. Why? Krill oil promotes an optimal Omega-3 Index. While this biomarker is typically associated with heart health, emerging research reveals that the Omega-3 Index is also one reason why athletes should consider adding krill oil to their training – and recovery – routine.

The Omega-3 Index moves beyond heart health

The Omega-3 Index may sound complicated, but it’s actually quite simple. It measures two omega-3 fats (EPA and DHA) in your red blood cell membranes, expressed as a percent of the total fatty acids. For a quick primer on the Omega-3 Index, see our post with all the basics here.

In one meta-analysis, Stanford researchers and colleagues found an Omega-3 Index of at least 8 percent is an ideal therapeutic target for heart health.1 It’s also the target for sports performance.

How krill oil increases the Omega-3 Index

Unlike traditional sources of omega-3s such as fish oil, krill oil contains EPA and DHA bound to phospholipids. In this highly bioavailable form, your body readily absorbs these omega-3 fatty acids, which are then taken up by red blood cell membranes to support a healthy Omega-3 Index.

Elite athletes benefit from supplementing with krill oil

Aker BioMarine recently collaborated with Oslo University Hospital in Norway to test the sports performance effects of their krill oil omega-3 fatty acids.

For this pilot study, the researchers followed 50 elite athletes who completed in the Norway’s Norseman Xtreme Triathlon, one of the world’s toughest triathlons of Ironman distance. Each athlete took Aker’s krill oil supplement (4 grams per day) for a 5-week period after the grueling race.

The best predictor of race performance

Turns out, an athlete’s Omega-3 Index was one of the best predictors of race performance. Athletes who had an Omega-3 Index above 8 percent finished the bike leg a full 48 minutes faster, on average, than those with lower values.

The researchers also found the post-race krill oil supplement increased the average Omega-3 Index to over 8 percent (the optimal range). Those athletes with the highest Omega-3 Indices (top 50 percent) were also able to return to intensive training following the triathlon significantly faster than those in the bottom 50 percent.

You can learn more about the Norseman’s pilot study here.

For now, these preliminary findings suggest supplementing with krill oil after a high-intensity race is especially important for elite athletes. The researchers are now conducting a more robust placebo-controlled study to confirm these findings and investigate other benefits of krill oil for athletes.

Krill oil also supports exercise recovery in everyday athletes

In another study, researchers found krill oil offers fitness benefits for healthy adults as well. For this study, researchers randomly assigned 32 healthy adults to take a krill oil supplement (2 grams) or a placebo daily for 6 weeks. They collected blood samples before and after supplementation while at rest and after a high-intensity exercise test (cycling time trial) to analyze immune biomarkers, the Omega-3 Index and other parameters. Compared to the placebo, the krill oil supplement significantly improved immune function after the intense exercise. Those in the krill oil group also increased their Omega-3 Index from 5 to 7 percent, on average.2

The bottom line

Both elite athletes and active adults can benefit from an Omega-3 Index in the optimal range not only for heart health but for sports performance and exercise recovery.

Adding a high-quality omega-3 supplement like Omega-3 Phospholipid 500mg to your daily routine can help. Each softgel features Aker’s Superba™ 100% Pure Krill Oil.

After all, any supplement worthy of your training table should be backed by sound science.

References

1. Harris WS, Del Gobbo L, Tintle NL. The Omega-3 Index and relative risk for coronary heart disease mortality: estimation from 10 cohort studies. Atherosclerosis. 2017;262:51-54. PMID: 28511049.
2. Da Boit M, Mastalurova I, Brazaite G, McGovern N, Thompson K, Gray SR. The effect of krill oil supplementation on exercise performance and markers of immune function. PLoS One. 2015;10(9):e0139174. PMID: 26407095.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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Omega-3 Phospholipid 500mg (180 Softgels)

Omega-3 Phospholipid 500mg (180 Softgels)

Immediate Release

On Sale $39.99 Regular price $54.99

Featuring Superba™ krill oil, it helps increase plasma EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acid levels in the blood to promote heart health and cardiovascular function. 

At-a-Glance

  • May reduce coronary heart disease risk**
  • Promotes a healthy inflammatory response*
  • Supports whole body cellular function*

Product Description

Omega-3 Phospholipid 500mg (100% Pure Krill Oil) is ideal for adults interested in both heart health and whole body health.*

Omega-3 Phospholipid features 100% pure Superba™ krill oil, a naturally sourced ingredient with omega-3 fatty acids in the highly bioavailable phospholipid form along with astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant that acts as a naturally sourced preservative.*

Superba™ krill oil is clinically shown to increase blood levels of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. These omega-3 fatty acids are critical for a wide range of biochemical processes involved in heart health, a healthy inflammatory response, immune defense, memory and cognitive function, and cellular health.*

Omega-3 Phospholipid may help reduce coronary heart disease risk.** It supports heart health, in part, by helping to maintain a healthy Omega-3 Index. The Omega-3 Index is an emerging biomarker for heart health and reflects the EPA and DHA content of red blood cell membranes that results from the long-term intake of these omega-3 fatty acids.*

Omega-3 Phospholipid also helps ensure an optimal intake of omega-3 fatty acids critical for cell membranes to take in nutrients, expel waste products, and activate cell signaling pathways. Omega-3 fatty acids also serve as building blocks for bioactive compounds that promote a healthy inflammatory response. Inside cells, omega-3 fatty acids play a role in numerous biological pathways involved in immune defense, lipid balance and other functions.*

 

Superba™ is a trademark of the Aker Group.

**Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. One serving of Omega-3 Phospholipid provides 0.176 grams of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids.

Features

  • Easy-to-swallow softgels
  • Gluten-free
  • Free of common allergens (milk, egg, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soy). Contains shellfish
  • Derived exclusively from sustainably harvested Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), 100% traceable from sea to shelf

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you expect?

Omega-3 Phospholipid is a unique dietary supplement for men and women to support whole body health, especially heart health.* 

How does it work?

When taken as directed, Omega-3 Phospholipid helps increase blood levels of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids.

How do you take it?

As a dietary supplement for adults, take two (2) softgels twice daily with a meal or snack, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.

Are there any precautions?

Consult your healthcare professional prior to use if you have or suspect a medical condition, are taking any medications, or are pregnant or nursing. As with all dietary supplements, keep out of reach of children.

What product quality control tests are performed?

Omega-3 Phospholipid is manufactured in the United States in a state-of-the-art, FDA-registered facility that meets or exceeds current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). Quality control tests are performed at every stage of the manufacturing process from rigorous raw material testing to finished product testing.

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