Krill Oil: High Effectiveness Against Obesity

The Omega-3 fatty acids Omega 3 (EPA and DHA) found in krill oil are useful remedies for obesity. This was demonstrated by research conducted by an international team, consisting of Italian, American, Norwegian, and Finnish scientists.

These properties aim to stabilize the metabolic mechanisms of obese individuals, countering anomalies and imperfections that lead to this status. They could replace other therapies in controlling the endocannabinoid system against metabolic syndrome.

Benefits of Krill Oil: Acting on Endocannabinoids

Krill is a group of small marine organisms known for their high content of Omega-3s and antioxidants. In fact, these are present in levels 48 times higher than those found in other commercially available fish oils. According to the authors of the study, daily consumption of krill oil benefits the endocannabinoid system, which consists of lipid molecules and cellular receptors that act in the nervous system, regulating appetite, pain sensation, mood, and memory. Experts in the field emphasize that helping to normalize endocannabinoid levels in obese patients could help counter some long-term health problems, such as metabolic syndrome. To reach this conclusion, the researchers recruited 63 overweight or obese subjects aged between 35 and 64 years, who were asked to take 2 grams of krill oil daily for four weeks – equivalent to 309 mg of EPA and DHA in a 2:1 ratio – fish oil – specifically “menhaden oil”, equivalent to 390 mg of EPA and DHA in a 1:1 ratio – or olive oil. Only the obese subjects who took krill oil showed a significant reduction in levels of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), an endocannabinoid that accumulates in the plasma of obese individuals. According to the authors, a possible explanation for the different effects between krill oil and fish oil could be a greater incorporation of Omega-3 fatty acids into the lipids that make up visceral fat. This would lead to a reduction in arachidonic acid following krill oil intake, consequently altering endocannabinoid synthesis.

Confirmation of Well-Known Effectiveness

The beneficial effects of krill oil observed in this study confirm what researchers at the University of Cagliari had found in studies conducted on obese rats. According to the authors of the new research, the next step will be to check if long-term dietary changes and higher levels of krill oil can reduce the parameters of metabolic syndrome. This would make krill oil intake a valid alternative to current therapies targeting the endocannabinoid system.

Source

1. Banni S, Carta G, Murru E, Cordeddu L, Giordano E, Sirigu AR, Berge K, Vik H, Maki KC, Di Marzo V, Griinari M, “Krill oil significantly decreases 2-arachidonoylglycerol plasma levels in obese subjects”, Nutr Metab (Lond). 2011 Jan 30;8(1):7
2. Batetta B, Griinari M, Carta G, Murru E, Ligresti A, Cordeddu L, Giordano E, Sanna F, Bisogno T, Uda S, Collu M, Bruheim I, Di Marzo V, Banni S, “Endocannabinoids may mediate the ability of (n-3) fatty acids to reduce ectopic fat and inflammatory mediators in obese Zucker rats”, J Nutr. 2009 Aug;139(8):1495-501