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Special qualities of Neptune Krill Oil
Top-quality omega-3: highest bioavailability
Blood omega-3 levels are increased more after ingestion of NKO than after ingestion of equal amounts of omega-3 (120 mg EPA+DHA) in the form of fish oil or omega-3 ethyl esters. Very fascinating! It proofs that NKO provides higher bioavailability compared to fish oil or ethyl esters, reflecting a superior quality.
Figure 1: Increase in blood omega-3 levels after ingestion of equal amounts of omega-3 as Neptune Krill Oil, standard fish oil or ethyl esters.
This difference in absorption rate can in part be explained by a difference in chemical structure of the omega-3 fats. Fish oil is a triglyceride source of omega-3 fatty acids, NKO a phospholipid source and ethyl esters are separate fatty acids. Phospholipids are more soluble upon ingestion and, to a certain extent, can be absorbed undigested. Both advantages are not applicable to the other omega-3 sources.
Figure 2: Schematic representation of (a) a triglyceride (representative for fish oil), (b) a phospholipid (representative for krill oil) and (c) an ethyl ester.
Neptune Krill Oil provides more than just omega-3 fatty acids
To come back to the Western dietary pattern: it is known that Westerners consume omega-6 fatty acids in excess. This is due to the consumption of vegetable oils such as safflower, sunflower, corn, sesame and peanut oil, and because omega-6 fatty acids are used as flavour enhancers in those irresistible cookies, snack meals and other refined foods.
Therefore, it is quite clear that we should consume more omega-3 fatty acids in order to restore the balance between omega-6 and omega-3 in our body. This is more easily done with NKO than with standard fish oil since NKO contains 15 times more omega-3 than omega-6 while standard fish oil has only 3 times more omega-3 than omega-6.
Figure 3: Compositional advantages of Neptune Krill Oil over standard fish oil.
Neptune Krill Oil has a 300 times higher antioxidant potency than vitamin E
Besides the omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, NKO also contains a cocktail of powerful antioxidants such as vitamin A, vitamin E, zinc, astaxanthin and a marine flavonoid. These antioxidants are naturally present within the oil blend extracted from the krill. They are not added.
The advantage of such a cocktail is most obvious. Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly sensitive to oxidation (to turning rancid), meaning that they are easily destroyed when combining with oxygen. To prevent omega-3 fatty acids from oxidation omega-3 supplements are enriched with vitamin E (as antioxidant).
With its natural antioxidant cocktail NKO clearly is in a favoured position. The antioxidant potency of this oil blend tested no less than 300 times stronger than vitamin E, 48 times stronger than fish oil, 34 times greater than coenzyme Q10 and 6 to 7 times greater than lycopene and astaxanthin.
Figure 4: Antioxidant potency expressed as ORAC value (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity value).
With such intrinsically high antioxidant potency the omega-3 fatty acids in Neptune Krill Oil will not oxidize in your body. Therefore, your body only experiences the good properties of omega-3.
Neptune Krill Oil's phospholipids are important fats
Phospholipids are components of every cell in our body, since together with cholesterol they make up the cell envelope. The fact that NKO's omega-3 fatty acids are in the phospholipid form is a major advantage. NKO not only increases the omega-3 level in our body but also adds to a rise in phospholipids.
Choline as precursor of acetylcholine
One gram of NKO contains 73 mg choline. The body uses choline to synthesize acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is important for sleeping comfort, good concentration and memory functioning.
Genuine binding of omega-3 to phospholipids and astaxanthin
After oral intake, more omega-3 fatty acids are absorbed into the blood circulation if derived either from NKO than from an NKO imitator. The imitator consisted of a mixture composed of individual omega-3s, isolated phospholipids and added astaxanthin. The better absorbability of NKO as compared to the imitator is due to the actual binding of omega-3s to phospholipids and astaxanthin within the NKO.
Comparison between NKO and standard fish oil
| Neptune Krill Oil | Standard fish oil | |
| Heavy metals, PCBs, dioxins and pesticides | Absent (beneath the detection limit of legally prescribed methods of analysis) Certificate of analysis is available | May be present (not all fish oils are tested for those legally permitted values) |
| EPA and DHA | As phospholipids with choline Fastest absorption rate | As triglycerides Are absorbed more slowly |
| Antioxidants | Naturally rich in astaxanthin, a marine flavonoid, vitamins (A, D, E) and selenium (Antioxidant capacity of NKO is 300 times better than vitamin E and 48 times better than standard fish oil) Protected from oxidation within the body | Usually vitamin E is added May get oxidised within the body |
| Minimum recommended amount per day | From 120 mg EPA+DHA on (= 1 capsule/day) | From 500 mg EPA+DHA on (usually 4 capsules/day) |