The essential fatty acids that our body needs are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that your body is not able to manufacture. We therefore need to consume these through outside sources, the most popular today being krill oil.  

The omega-3s provided by krill oil help to maintain healthy cell membranes as well as help with brain development and function, liver and nervous system function, hormone production, regulation of blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as blood clotting.  

As with any supplement, you should always be aware of storage information so you can get the best from your krill oil supplement.

What Krill Oil Can Do For You: Heart Health

Krill oil is an amazingly powerful supplement for your health and is quickly replacing fish oil as the go-to omega-3 supplement. Not only can you avoid the fishy aftertaste with smaller, easier-to-swallow, but research has shown that krill oil is much more valuable to your health.

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Not many know this, but the news is spreading: krill oil contains more valuable nutrients than fish oil, which makes it a better choice for those interested in improving and maintaining their health.  

The fatty acids and phospholipids within krill oil deliver benefits to your entire body, making this small capsule a big hit in the health world.

Krill can help to prevent obesity through blocking the endocannabinoid (EC) pathway, which controls appetite. This means it could be a potential solution for aiding weight loss.  

Krill oil does not have a direct impact on the food you eat, but it does lower a particular EC compound that is known to cause overeating.

Additionally, krill oil lowers cholesterol levels. Studies with rats showed that those with high levels of fat in the blood that were fed a high-cholesterol diet saw a reduction in total body cholesterol levels.  

Krill oil can help support heart health by increasing the levels of HDL (good) cholesterol in your body and reducing LDL (bad) levels at the same time. You can experience improved and better regulated blood pressure too.

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The anti-inflammatory properties of krill oil reduce the levels of inflammatory markers in the body, which can help to prevent arthritis as well as other serious diseases. Studies have shown that krill oil supplements can help improve pains and range of motion for arthritic patients.  

This supplement can also reduce the C-reactive protein levels linked to inflammatory-related diseases, like heart disease. Astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant, blocks nitric oxide production, which reduces these harmful inflammatory markers.

Daily krill oil can reduce inflammation and prevent serious oxidative damage to your vital organs.

Krill Oil and Your Brain

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for cognitive development and function. EPA and DHA, specifically, are fatty acids that contribute to brain health and function.

DHA is an essential nutrient for developing children, and EPA is ideal for later in life to enhance brain function and prevent cognitive decline.

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Additionally, the phospholipids found in krill oil possess antioxidant properties and can reduce oxidative damage in the brain, thus helping prevent brain disorders like depression, dementia, schizophrenia, autism and epilepsy.  

DHA consumption, through krill oil supplements helps to improve mood and can be beneficial for addressing PMS-related symptoms. Daily krill oil can smooth out mood swings, relieve fatigue, and depression as well as reduce the irritability and stress that often arises with PMS.

Finally, krill oil helps to reduce the risk factors associated with diabetes including insulin resistance and glucose levels. Reduced blood glucose levels and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity allows diabetic patients to better control their blood sugar levels and maintain good health.  

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The essential fatty acids from krill oil also have been linked to the cessation of colorectal cancer cell growth. While this is only one specific cancer type, the findings are significant and allow hope for potential anti-cancer therapies.  

Given that krill oil is well-tolerated, this would be a monumental discovery in terms of cancer treatment options.

Storing Krill Oil

Krill is a shrimp-like crustacean that lives deep in the icy waters surrounding Antarctica. This habitat allows it to remain 100-percent natural and free from pollutants and toxins, such as mercury or heavy metals.  

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It also means that krill, and the oil it contains, is used to colder temperatures and will not tolerate heat very well. This means that you should keep krill oil supplements in cold and dark places, which is actually how you should store all pills and dietary supplements.  

Krill oil, specifically, cannot tolerate temperatures around or over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).

There are a few key things to remember when it comes to storing krill oil to ensure that they last.  You want to make sure the supplement remains in good condition so that it can provide all the wonderful health benefits and keep you in good condition.

♦ Typically krill oil supplements come in plastic bottles for financial and practical reasons.  When you get a supplement, the first thing you need to check is the expiration date.

The next thing you want to do is transfer the pills into a glass container (preferably sterile). Label the container with pill name and expiration date. Be sure that the container is sealed securely to keep any humidity away from the capsules.

♦ Store the glass container where there is no direct sunlight, where humidity is low, and where the temperature does not get too high. The ideal place is a pantry located near your kitchen, as it satisfies all three of those requirements. If you do not have a pantry, the next best place is your refrigerator.

♦ If for some reason you have not finished the supplement by the time the expiration date arrives, you need to throw out the capsules that are left along with the container. You should never take any dietary supplement or pill that is past the expiration date because this can have a negative impact on your health.

The Bottom Line

Krill oil is meant to help you improve your overall health in many different ways. These supplements need to be stored properly for maximum effectiveness, though, and it is definitely worth your time to do it.

If you are looking for a great supplement to give your health a boost, krill oil is a wonderful option. Just follow the storage instructions on the label and mind the expiration date.

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Sources

1. https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/01/24/511267616/spains-robin-hood-restaurant-charges-the-rich-and-feeds-the-poor

2. http://www.businessinsider.com/robin-hood-restaurant-spain-2017-1

3. https://www.bowery.org/homelessness/tips-help-homeless/

4. http://www.newsweek.com/illegal-feed-criminalizing-homeless-america-782861