Neptune Krill Oil (NKO®) is known for its unique fatty acid (FA) profile, as well as for its rich antioxidant content. NKO®’s balanced fatty acid content includes not only EPA and DHA, the crucial Omega-3 FA’s, but Omega-9 FA’s and phospholipids, as well. NKO® is a rich source of Astaxanthin, a powerful immune-supporting antioxidant. Clinical studies have shown that NKO® can support joint comfort, healthy blood lipid levels, and may reduce symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome.* This 1,000 mg Krill Oil product is an enteric coated, odor controlled softgel to make it easier to tolerate for those who may experience nausea or reflux from fish oils.
Neptune Krill Oil is manufactured under strict quality control standards. It is tested to be free of potentially harmful levels of contaminants (i.e. mercury, heavy metals, PCB’s, dioxins, and other contaminants).
Neptune Krill Oil's Unique Properties
Read Neptune’s Response to ConsumerLab.com®’s Report
Neptune Krill Oil (NKO™)
is known as being a fish oil alternative that similarly supplies the
biologically essential Omega-3 fatty acids known as EPA and DHA.
However, unlike ordinary fish oil, NKO™ provides these fatty acids in a
natural food complex that includes phospholipids and astaxanthin, which
give NKO™ some unique and interesting biological properties.
Basic
information about the type of crustacean (Euphausia superba) that NKO™
is derived from and how it is sustainably harvested appear elsewhere on
this website; click on this link to access it: http://www.nowfoods.com/Products/ProductFAQs/M099553.htm?cat=FAQ
Let’s go beyond that to review some other qualities of NKO™ based on its special mixture of nutritional components:
EPA and DHA Omega-3 Fatty Acids
DHA
and EPA are the two most active polyunsaturated fatty acids in the
human body, contributing to all health benefits associated with Omega-3
fatty acids. Since the health benefits of these nutrients have been very
well documented, that won’t be repeated here. A link to one such
article is available by clicking on this link: http://www.nowfoods.com/M006938.htm?cat=Sports%20Nutrition
Krill
oil, like fish oil, is a rich source of these essential fatty acids
(EFAs). However, in krill oil these fatty acids are bound to
phospholipids, enhancing their bioavailability. Unlike the common
triglyceride form of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, the phospholipid
form found in krill oil can easily form micelles; which allow them to
mix with water (unlike other oils) and absorb into the body without the
usual need for bile salts, enhancing ease of digestion and
bioavailability.
IN 1,000 mg (one gram) of NKO™ the typical
Omega-3 Fatty Acid level is 230 - 300 mg. For the main two essential
Omega-3 fatty acids, the typical Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) content is
140 - 160 mg and for Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) content it is 80 - 90
mg.
NKO™, like fish oils, naturally contains smaller amounts of
other fatty acids. Its typical Omega-6 Fatty Acid content is 10 - 20 mg
per gram; and its Omega-9 Fatty Acid content is typically 60 - 80 mg per
gram.
Phospholipids
Phospholipids have
received justifiable scientific interest because of their ability to
support healthy body structures and functions. Phospholipids are a group
of phosphorus-containing fats that are found in virtually every cell in
the body.
Phospholipids are a class of fat-like molecules that
promote cell membrane fluidity, facilitate cell-to-cell signaling, and
assist in the processing of nutrients by the cell. Membranes are the
fatty barriers that surround every cell, and many structures within the
cell. As we age, our cell membranes tend to get stiffer and this makes
them more resistant to the movement of molecules within the membrane, as
well as to the transfer of molecules into and out of the cell. This
decrease in molecular movement can result in reduced communication
between cells, ultimately reducing healthy cellular function.
Lecithin
is the most common dietary source of phospholipids, which are found in
many animal tissues and organs as an important constituent of biological
membranes. It is also widespread in the plant world and abundant in
legumes, cereals, and seed embryos; as well as in egg yolks and some
vegetable oils. Phospholipids also play a role in memory and cognitive
function, nerve health, cardiovascular health, and liver function.
While
the best known phospholipid source is lecithin, commonly found in egg
yolks. Products like sunflower lecithin and krill oil are getting recognition as alternative sources.
Natural
sources of phospholipids typically provide a complex mixture of
phosphatides that consist primarily of phosphatidylcholine (phosphatidyl
choline, or PC), plus smaller amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine
(phosphatidyl ethanolmine, or PE), phosphatidylinositol (phosphatidyl
inositol, or PI), and minor amounts of other components including
phosphatidylserine (phosphatidyl serine, or PS).
NKO™ is a
natural, soy-free, egg-free source of phospholipids. About 40% of NKO™
by weight consists of phospholipids (typically 390-420 mg/gm).
Phospholipids from animal sources contain a higher percentage of
longer-chain fatty acids with a higher degree of unsaturation than plant
source phospholipids. That, combined with the high levels of EPA and
DHA essential omega-3 fatty acids in krill oil, make it more closely
resemble human brain phospholipids. In fact, one study showed that
phospholipid-bound fatty acids were absorbed twice as well by the infant
brain of primates as the triglyceride form. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11861929
Phosphatidylcholine
Phosphatidylcholine
(phosphatidyl choline, or PC) typically represents about 80% of the
phospholipid content of NKO™. Phosphatidylcholine is one of the primary
membrane phospholipids; which help form the outer layer of cell and
other biological membranes and is the layer that is exposed to water and
water-soluble substances. (The inner layer of these membranes is
typically averse to water and faces the inside of cells, where there are
commonly more fatty acid chains.) Phosphatidylcholine is also the
principal phospholipid circulating in plasma, where it is an integral
component of the lipoproteins, especially HDL (the so-called “good
cholesterol”). Research has shown that PC is beneficial for mood, memory
and cognitive function, and neurological health. http://lipidlibrary.aocs.org/Lipids/pc/index.htm
Phosphatidylethanolamine
Phosphatidylethanolamine
(phosphatidyl ethanolamine or PE) is the next most abundant
phospholipid in NKO™; typically present at levels of 2-5% of NKO’s
phospholipid total, by weight. PE is frequently the main lipid component
of microbial membranes, can amount to 20% of liver phospholipids, and
up to 45% of brain phospholipids. Higher proportions are found in the
mitochondria than in other cellular organelles. PE is a key building
block of membrane bilayers; where phospholipids are stacked two
molecules thick with the water soluble ends facing away from the middle
and toward both the inside and outside of the cell to facilitate contact
with the mostly watery environment on each side of the membrane. This
makes the animal or human cell bilayered membrane a virtual “sandwich”
with a layer of cholesterol placed between the two stacked phospholipids
for rigidity. That middle layer also acts as a barrier to substances
entering or leaving the cell without help from other molecules coating
the membrane surface, such as carbohydrates and proteins, which serve as
receptor sites for messenger molecules. Receptors facilitate
interaction with the cell membrane, allowing molecular cell-to-cell
communication signals to pass from the outside to the inside of the
cell. The water soluble phospholipid ends on both surfaces of the cell
membrane allow only partial penetration of water-borne substances
through that cell membrane because the water resistant phospholipid ends
and the inner layer of cholesterol form a barrier unless specific
receptors aid that passage. http://lipidlibrary.aocs.org/lipids/pe/index.htm
Phosphatidylinositol
Phosphatidylinositol
(phosphatidyl inositol, or PI) is another phospholipid in NKO™;
typically present at levels of 1-3% of NKO’s phospholipid total, by
weight. Phosphatidylinositol is especially abundant in brain tissue,
where it can amount to 10% of the phospholipids, but it is present in
all tissues and cell types. Phosphatidylinositol is known to be the
anchor that links a variety of proteins to the plasma membrane.
(More precisely, to the external leaflet of the plasma membrane via a glycosyl bridge). http://lipidlibrary.aocs.org/Lipids/pi/index.htm
Phosphatidylserine
Phosphatidylserine
(phosphatidyl serine or PS) is another naturally occurring phospholipid
in NKO™; typically present at levels of 1-2% of NKO’s phospholipid
total, by weight. PS is critical for the normal functioning of all cells
and is the phospholipid most concentrated in the brain and nervous
system, where it is important for the conduction of nerve impulses. PS
is essential for the accumulation, storage, and release of
neurotransmitters; thus supporting brain and cognitive functions,
including mood and memory. The greatest concentration in humans is in
myelin found in brain tissue, and it is also relatively abundant in the
plasma membrane of cells and in cells’ endoplasmic reticulum (cellular
organelles that serve as facilities for protein synthesis and storage,
steroid synthesis and storage, and ion storage). http://lipidlibrary.aocs.org/Lipids/ps/index.htm
Sphingomyelin
Sphingomyelin
is another naturally occurring phospholipid in NKO™, typically present
at levels of 1-2% of NKO’s phospholipid total, by weight. Only found in
animals and humans, it is the sphingolipid analogue of
phosphatidylcholine, and contains phosphorylcholine in a complex
molecular structure. Sphingolipids are named that because of their once
enigmatic nature. In sphingolipids, fatty acids are linked via amide
bonds to a long-chain base (“sphingoid”).
Sphingomyelin is in all
animal cell membranes, where it is by far the most abundant
sphingolipid. While it can comprise up to 50% of the lipids in some
tissues, it is usually lower in concentration than phosphatidylcholine.
Sphingomyelin makes up about 10% of the lipids in the brain. It is the
single most abundant lipid in the red blood cells (erythrocytes) of most
ruminant animals, where it actually replaces phosphatidylcholine. As
with phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin usually is in greatest
concentration in the plasma membrane of cells. In the membrane of the
human eye lens, sphingomyelin can comprise over 50% of the total
phospholipid content.
There is a lot of variability in the fatty
acid content of sphingomyelin. About 60% of the fatty acids of the
sphingomyelin of the grey matter of the human brain consist of stearic
acid (18:0); proving that this sometimes maligned fatty acid that is
present in virtually every natural plant and animal fat is essential to
human life in general, and our brain structures and functions in
particular. Sphingomyelin is also present in testes and sperm; in this
case comprised of very long chain fatty acids.
One important
function of sphingomyelin is to serve as a chemically distinct
substitute for phosphatidylcholine in forming a building block of
membranes; it does this by forming a stable, chemically resistant outer
“leaflet” of the plasma membrane’s lipid bilayer. Sphingomyelin and
cholesterol metabolism are closely integrated, and it has been suggested
that sphingomyelin may control the distribution of cholesterol in
cells; these two substances are most abundant in the same types of
membranes. Sphingomyelin has a role in supporting intracellular
messengers and cell membrane components. It also has been shown to
support a healthy HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio. http://lipidlibrary.aocs.org/Lipids/sph/index.htm
Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin
is a naturally occurring carotenoid that, because of its unique
structure, provides a wide range of antioxidant benefits. Astaxanthin
can help to protect cell membranes against free radical attack and
potentiates the action of other antioxidants like Vitamins E and C.
Scientific studies have demonstrated that Astaxanthin can help to
support a healthy inflammatory response, enhance immune function, and
provide neurological support.
Astaxanthin belongs to the same
family of fat-soluble carotenoid molecules as the yellow/orange colored
Beta-Carotene. It differs from Beta-Carotene in that its molecular
structure contains two additional oxygen groups in each ring structure.
This gives it a deep red color and classifies it as a xanthophyll, with
up to 10 times stronger free radical scavenging activity. Another
difference is that, unlike Beta-Carotene, Astaxanthin cannot be
converted to Vitamin A in the human body.
The characteristic pink
or red color of salmon and trout is reflective of the presence of
accumulated Astaxanthin that they get from their diet by consuming
krill, krill-consuming smaller fish, or similar sources. NKO™ typically
contains about 1.0 – 1.5 mg of astaxanthin per 1,000 mg (per gram).
NKO™
NKO™
(Neptune Krill Oil) is a patented and trademarked dietary ingredient.
For additional information about Neptune Krill Oil, please visit this
website: http:/neptunekrilloil.com/
Krill Oil FAQ's: How is NOW’s Krill harvested?
Krill, an abundant renewable resource
Krill is a generic term used to designate a number of deep water marine
crustacean species; a form of shellfish. It looks like miniature
shrimp, ranging between one and six centimeters in length. These 85
species represent the planet's most abundant animal biomass, found in
active zones that may extend over several square kilometers. Our Neptune
Krill Oil (NKO®) is a patented material that comes from Neptune
Biotech. Neptune sources its krill from the cold waters of the Antarctic
Ocean.
Many studies have been undertaken which show that the
biomass of Antarctic krill, one of the world's most abundant biomasses,
may amount to 400-420 million tonnes (tons). Its annual natural
reproduction cycle provides krill to offset natural mortality, feeds
predators, provides harvest for animal feed, and supplies food for
people.
The management and control of krill harvesting is
overseen by the 25-state member Commission for the Conservation of
Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which is the official
international organization responsible for krill fishery management. The
precautionary catch limits on the krill fishery are under constant
review by the Scientific Committee of CCAMLR, which uses an ecosystem
approach to management.
The precautionary catch limit set by
the CCAMLR is 6.6 million tons for 2010 and is reviewed annually. It was
increased from 4.9 million tons in 2005/06 based on the results of
recent surveys. Less than 120,000 tons of the annually set total catch
limit of 6.6 million tons are harvested by fisheries. By contrast,
Antarctic baleen whales are estimated to consume 85 million tons per
year. Less than 3% of the precautionary catch limit is actually
harvested, and only a tiny percentage of that harvest is used to make
krill oil dietary supplements.
Not only is the krill harvest
overseen by scientists stationed on each ship who report to an
independent regulatory commission, but the amount of krill harvested for
human nutrition is only about 2% of the total harvest, with the vast
majority going into animal feed.
The following quotes
from various reputable sources explain how Antarctic krill is harvested
with respect to sustainability; the numbers vary with the source/date of
each citation
"The prospect of a free-for-all fishery
for Antarctic krill led to the signing of a unique fishing treaty in
1981. This is the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine
Living Resources (CCAMLR), designed to protect the Antarctic ecosystem
from the consequences of a rapidly expanding krill fishery. CCAMLR set a
limit of 1.5 million tons on the catch of krill in the South Atlantic
(where almost all of the krill has been caught recently) and a limit of
390,000 tons for the Indian Ocean. These limits are much higher than the
current catch levels but this is a reflection of the huge size of the
resource and of the pre-emptive approach to management that CCAMLR was
designed to take. Market demand has been the limiting factor since the
fishery began and catch has remained at a fraction of what are
considered highly precautionary limits."
Nicol, S. & Endo, Y.
Krill Fisheries: Development, Management and Ecosystem Implications.
Aquat. Living Resour. 12 (2) (1999) 105-120.
"Scientists estimate
that 1.5 million tons of krill can be harvested without impacting krill
predators (XVI CCAMLR). Currently, less than 80,000 tons of krill are
harvested annually (XVI CCAMLR)."
Secretariat of the Antarctic and
Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), which includes over 100 organizations
around the world, is based in Washington, DC.
CCAMLR-2000 KRILL
SYNOPTIC SURVEY: *As applied by CCAMLR, precautionary catch limits set
levels of catch which are considered low enough not to compromise future
sustainability of the targeted stocks. They allow some level of fishing
so as to provide essential information to be used in assessment of
stock yield and in ascertaining the properties of the fishery. CCAMLR
Conservation Measure 51-01 is a good example of such a measure and it
sets an overall precautionary catch limit for krill in Area 48 as well
as a “trigger level” which will be used to subdivide the overall limit
into smaller areas in anticipation of a rapid expansion of the fishery.
http://www.ccamlr.org/pu/e/sc/kri-surv-intro.htm
"Sustainable
krill harvest is estimated at 150 million tons, 1.5 times greater than
the total number of fish and shellfish harvested annually from the
world's oceans, according to the Australian Antarctic Division. CCAMLR
set a precautionary limit of 1.5 million tons for krill harvest in the
southwest Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean, although recent catches
currently average 100,000 tons per year."
NASA Earth Sciences Division
"The new measures will also require more frequent reporting of krill
catches, more rigorous notifications to participate in the krill fishery
and new trigger levels so that once a certain catch level is reached,
additional management tools will be introduced in order to protect those
animals which feed on krill."
Australian government Department of the Environment and Water Resources
http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/publications/oceans-action/dec-07.html
“The management of Antarctic krill fisheries occupied a major part of the recent meeting
of the Antarctic marine management organisation (Commission for the
Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources or CCAMLR) in Hobart.
Delegates at the meeting agreed to a range of new measures to control
fishing for krill in various areas of the Antarctic.”
Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition
http://www.asoc.org/Portals/0/Krill%20Industry%20Report%20No%205-120507.pdf
Disclaimer:
The products and the claims made about specific products on this site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration .
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult a physician or medical practitioner before taking this or any dietary supplement. Women who are pregnant, nursing, or are planning on becoming pregnant should not take any supplements without consulting their physician first.
