Omegor Krill: Origin, Characteristics and IFOS Certification?

Good morning, I am interested in purchasing krill oil. I have read on other sites that the best source for this oil is the cold waters of Canada, is this confirmed? There are various krill oil supplements but I do not understand the difference. Is the IFOS certification a guarantee, is Omegor Krill certified? Thank you, Elisabetta

Dear Elisabetta, 

Krill (Euphausia superba) is a small crustacean that makes up the zooplankton of the cold Antarctic waters, where it represents one of the largest existing biomasses. It occupies the lowest step of the food chain and for this reason does not accumulate pollutants, ensuring high purity of its derivatives. Krill feeds on microscopic algae which represent its primary source of omega-3 and the antioxidant astaxanthin. 

At present, there is no certification for krill oils equivalent to IFOS (International Fish Oil Standards). This is because krill oil is very different from fish oil and the parameters measured with IFOS would not be applicable in the case of krill oil. Krill oils are regulated by European legislation as novel foods, authorized only a few years ago for human consumption as dietary supplements. 

This legislation establishes minimum requirements for purity, freshness and EPA and DHA concentration. Omegor Krill is a supplement that has much stricter limits than those imposed by law. Omegor Krill (exclusively derived from Antarctic Krill) represents a new krill oil, more concentrated, obtained thanks to innovative technologies. Below are the characteristics of Omegor Krill compared to common krill oils. 

1. High EPA/DHA content: Omegor Krill is produced with a patented technology that ensures 50% more omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA compared to common krill oils. 
2. Higher percentage of phospholipids: more than 68% phospholipids compared to common krill oils. Phospholipids are the main components of all cell membranes, therefore omega-3s carried by phospholipids are rapidly absorbed and efficiently used by our body. 30% higher absorption compared to fish oil in triglyceride form. 
3. Concentrated in choline: an essential nutrient, like phosphatidylcholine it becomes part of cell membranes and is involved in nerve impulse transmission. It increases the concentration of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in memory. It also protects the liver from fat accumulation. 
4. Astaxanthin content: an antioxidant carotenoid responsible for the characteristic red color of krill oil and the natural preservative action that maintains the freshness of the oil. Able to cross the blood-brain and retinal barriers, powerful antioxidant effect at the CNS level. 
5. Pure and free of unpleasant odors: the patented technology ensures the purification of krill oil from pollutants normally present in the marine habitat such as mercury and other heavy metals, but also dioxins and PCBs. Omegor Krill meets some of the strictest quality standards. In addition, salts and residues of TMAO (trimethylamine-N-oxide), responsible for the characteristic unpleasant odor, are removed. 
6. Packaged in blister: each Omegor Krill capsule is protected from air and humidity thanks to aluminum and PVDC blister packaging. The best materials to preserve the quality of each single product unit until consumption. 

Two capsules a day of Omegor Krill provide 1180 mg of oil from Antarctic krill - Euphausia superba; with a total phospholipid content around 57%, 82.6 mg of choline, EPA+DHA 260 mg and 100 µg of astaxanthin. These features allow it, with only 2 daily doses (2 caps), to satisfy all 4 claims approved by EFSA. 

1. EPA and DHA contribute to the normal functioning of the heart. 
2. Choline contributes to normal lipid metabolism. 
3. Choline contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism. 
4. Choline contributes to the maintenance of normal liver function. Moreover, as already mentioned, Omegor Krill, due to its composition, is useful in case of stress, poor memory, mental and physical fatigue. For those facing intense professional and sporting commitments. 

Best regards, 

Beatrice Iozzino, pharmacist.