Arthritis is yet one more malady brought on by the curse of inflammation, in this case, inflammation of the joints. As we have explained elsewhere on WellWise, inflammation is thought by many to be the basis of all disease. Inflammation, and arthritis, happen when we have too many omega-6s in our system and not enough omega-3s (EPA/DHA), such as those found in fish oil, krill oil and algal oil.
Both fatty acids are necessary for health, but when when we eat processed or fast foods as much as we do in Western society, the scales are tipped in our body, causing a cascading effect of inlammation. In effect, the omega-6s drown out the signals from the omega-3s.
Canadian scientists in 2007 evaluated the effect of a daily dose of 300mg krill oil for a mere seven to 14 days on 90 patients with symptoms of arthritis and chronic inflammation. Patients reported significant reductions in pain (28.9 percent), stiffness (20.3 percent) and functional impairment (22.8 percent), using a scale developed by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities known as the WOMAC scale.1
Another study used mice that were induced into arthritis by injecting them with collagen. Mice that were subsequently fed on krill oil showed significantly reduced swelling in their hind paws, and lower infiltration of inflammatory cells into the joints.2
Further research is underway. Norwegian biotechnology company and krill oil supplier Aker BioMarine (makers of Superba krill oil, the krill oil found in the brand Mega Red krill oil) are undertaking numerous studies to measer the effect of krill oil on everything from eye health to weight control.
References:
1. Deutsch L; Evaluation of the Effect of Neptune Krill Oil on Chronic Inflammation and Arthritic Symptoms; Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 26, No. 1, 39-48 (2007 Apr).
2. Biomed Central Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2010, 11-136
Disclaimer:The information provided in this krill oil forum is a public service of WellWise.org, and should not in any way substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional and is not intended to constitute personal medical advice.
Rose, In an animal study arthritis was reduced by 47% with krill oil and by 26% for fish oil. The study was done by Aker, and was published today September 17, 2010, (you must be psychic to post your question a week before the study came out....). The results are very exciting and interesting. Especially in the light that one would expect that astaxanthin, the red antioxidant in krill oil has known anti-inflammatory benefits, and that Aker's krill oil has very little to no astaxanthin, wherease the competing E. superba krill oil brands (Azantis and Neptune) do have significant quantities of astaxanthin. Hogne Vik says in the press release that "these results are in line with other krill oil data demonstrating that omega-3 fatty acids in the form of phospholipids can be more effective than omega-3 fatty acids from triglycerides". The "other krill data" he's referring to is the neptune krill oil study, that was released several years ago. Aker's latest krill oil research in animals confirms the benefits of arthritis pain management that has been observed before.
Submitted by Guest User on Thu, 09/30/2010 - 18:51.
Max my Golden Retriever has severe arthritis and has a hard time walking, climbing stairs. Can krill oil for dogs help out, and where do I buy this? Is it expensive or cheap?Bill in South Fork WA
Submitted by Guest User on Tue, 09/28/2010 - 09:46.
I have been taking fish oil pills for many years now but I have heard a lot about pure Antarctic krill oil supplements lately. I have arthritis. Is there any krill oil dangers associated with my arthritis? Is pure krill oil better than fish oil when it comes to side effects? ~ Martha
Submitted by James Townsend on Tue, 09/28/2010 - 11:57.
Good for you that you have been taking fish oil for years, and that you're now considering Antarctic krill oil. I am not surprised that you are haring more about pure krill oil, because this supplement from the pure Antarctic waters is getting a lot of attention lately. The krill benefits for arthritis are reviewed in a clinical study. The conclusion was that people who used krill oil: + had 29% less pain + had 20% less stiffness + used 32 less pain killers + had 23% better function Now, these are hard numbers for the arthritis benefits of krill oil.
Submitted by James Townsend on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 10:07.
No. You have to keep the general warnings on the krill oil supplement label in mind though. I would make the case that 32% less pain killer use for arthritis sufferers, is so much better than any krill oil danger. I mean that the side effects of using pain killers for arthritis is so much worse than any side effect of krill oil.
Submitted by James Townsend on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 16:11.
The side effects that the krill oil suppliers warn for are coagulation dangers. So when you use Coumadin or aspirin, you have to be extra careful with the blood thinning danger. If you bruise too easily when using krill oil or fish oil, then consult your doctor. It is always smart to talk with your doctor when using krill oil or fish oil supplements when on medication. I don't think there's a difference between krill oil & fish oil because the blood thinning is caused by the omega-3s, and that's in both krill oil & fish oil.
Comments
#1 arthritis compare fish oil versus krill oil
Is anyone using krill oil for arthritis? Do you feel the difference, and is krill oil better than fish oil? Rose
#2 clinical study: krill much better than fish oil for arthritis
Rose, In an animal study arthritis was reduced by 47% with krill oil and by 26% for fish oil. The study was done by Aker, and was published today September 17, 2010, (you must be psychic to post your question a week before the study came out....). The results are very exciting and interesting. Especially in the light that one would expect that astaxanthin, the red antioxidant in krill oil has known anti-inflammatory benefits, and that Aker's krill oil has very little to no astaxanthin, wherease the competing E. superba krill oil brands (Azantis and Neptune) do have significant quantities of astaxanthin. Hogne Vik says in the press release that "these results are in line with other krill oil data demonstrating that omega-3 fatty acids in the form of phospholipids can be more effective than omega-3 fatty acids from triglycerides". The "other krill data" he's referring to is the neptune krill oil study, that was released several years ago. Aker's latest krill oil research in animals confirms the benefits of arthritis pain management that has been observed before.
#3 Where can I buy krill oil for my dog?
Max my Golden Retriever has severe arthritis and has a hard time walking, climbing stairs. Can krill oil for dogs help out, and where do I buy this? Is it expensive or cheap? Bill in South Fork WA
#4 Krill oil vs fish oil & arthritis
I have been taking fish oil pills for many years now but I have heard a lot about pure Antarctic krill oil supplements lately. I have arthritis. Is there any krill oil dangers associated with my arthritis? Is pure krill oil better than fish oil when it comes to side effects? ~ Martha
#5 krill oil & fish oil arthritis benefits
Good for you that you have been taking fish oil for years, and that you're now considering Antarctic krill oil. I am not surprised that you are haring more about pure krill oil, because this supplement from the pure Antarctic waters is getting a lot of attention lately. The krill benefits for arthritis are reviewed in a clinical study. The conclusion was that people who used krill oil: + had 29% less pain + had 20% less stiffness + used 32 less pain killers + had 23% better function Now, these are hard numbers for the arthritis benefits of krill oil.
#6 Krill oil vs fish oil & arthritis
Are there any krill oil dangers associated with my arthritis? ~ Martha
#7 krill oil & fish oil arthritis benefits
No. You have to keep the general warnings on the krill oil supplement label in mind though. I would make the case that 32% less pain killer use for arthritis sufferers, is so much better than any krill oil danger. I mean that the side effects of using pain killers for arthritis is so much worse than any side effect of krill oil.
#8 Krill oil vs fish oil & arthritis
And what about the side effects of krill oil when I compare with the side effects of fish oil? Can you tell me? ~ Martha
#9 krill oil & fish oil arthritis benefits
The side effects that the krill oil suppliers warn for are coagulation dangers. So when you use Coumadin or aspirin, you have to be extra careful with the blood thinning danger. If you bruise too easily when using krill oil or fish oil, then consult your doctor. It is always smart to talk with your doctor when using krill oil or fish oil supplements when on medication. I don't think there's a difference between krill oil & fish oil because the blood thinning is caused by the omega-3s, and that's in both krill oil & fish oil.
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