Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Study participants, who supplemented with 2000 mg of Omega 3 krill oil per day for 4 weeks, significantly improved their endothelium function. After 17 weeks of supplementation, good HDL cholesterol significantly improved as well.
The American Heart Association recommends 1000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids to minimize the risk of cardiovascular disease (1, 2). Krill oil is an omega-3 oil that comes from krill, small crustaceans that ingest algae. Krill oil is thought to be a more pure source of omega-3 fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docohexaenoic acid (DHA) (1). Krill oil is an antioxidant which decreases inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, which are known to contribute to cardiovascular disease (1, 3). Recent research has found that krill oil may lead to moderate improvement of cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes (1).
The research involved 48 participants (66% male and 34% female) aged 47 to 84 with type 2 diabetes. Twenty-two of the participants were on insulin therapy and 15 of those 22 were also on oral glucose- lowering medications. The rest of the participants were only taking oral glucose-lowering medications (1).
The study participants were randomly assigned to receive either krill oil supplements (2 capsules of 1000 mg omega-3 krill oil per day; n=24) or a placebo (2 capsules of olive oil per day; n=24) for four weeks. This was followed by a 2-week washout period. Then the participants who had been taking krill oil switched to the placebo and those who had been on placebo switched to the krill oil for four weeks. This was then followed by an optional 17-weeks of taking krill oil (n=34) (1).
Endothelial function testing is a newer diagnostic test that is used to determine future and current cardiovascular disease risk. The endothelium is the inner lining of blood vessels that allows for the vessel to contract and dilate. When the endothelium does not contract or dilate well it indicates cardiovascular disease risk. In the current study, endothelial function was significantly improved in participants taking krill oil compared to the placebo over the 4-week period (2.04 vs. 1.83 RHI; p=0.025). For those that continued taking krill oil for the 17-week optional time period, they had significantly improved endothelial function compared to baseline (2.16 vs. 1.90 RHI; p=0.04) (1). After the 17-week optional period, there was also an improvement in HDL or “good” cholesterol levels compared to baseline (49.09 vs. 43.48 mg/dL; p=0.002) (1).
In conclusion, krill oil supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes reduces cardiovascular risk factors by improving endothelial function and increasing HDL levels (1). Considering cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in people with type 2 diabetes, it is important to find solutions to minimize risk factors in this population (1, 4). The results also indicate longer term supplementation (longer than four weeks) is needed to observe more drastic improvements (1). Future research should consider comparing krill oil with fish oil to see if there is a difference in preventative risk factors (1).
Source: Lobraico, Jessika M., et al. “Effects of krill oil on endothelial function and other cardiovascular risk factors in participants with type 2 diabetes, a randomized controlled trial.” BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care 3.1 (2015): e000107.
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Posted March 10, 2016.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.
References:
- Lobraico J, et al. Effects of krill oil on endothelial function and other cardiovascular risk factors in participants with type 2 diabetes, a randomized controlled trial. BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care 2015; 3:e000107. Doi: 10.1136/bmjdrc-20150000107
- Kris-Etherton PM, et al. Fish consumption, fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids, and cardiovascular disease. Circulation. 2002; 106:2747-57.
- Backes JM, Howard PA. Krill oil for cardiovascular risk protection: is it for real? Hosp Pharm 2014; 49:907-12.
- Wallace TM, Levy JC, Matthews DR. Use and abuse of HOMA modeling. Diabetes Care 2004; 27:1487-95.
