Krill Oil Dramatically Lowers C-Reactive Protein

[Guest guest]

http://www.newstarget.com/022442.html

(NewsTarget) Canadian researchers published the findings of a randomized, double

blind study designed to assess the effects of Neptune Krill Oil (NKO) on levels

of C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with chronic inflammation. The study was

published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.

Ninety subjects participated in the study and were chosen based on confirmed

diagnosis of severely elevated CRP (>1.0 mg/dL or 10mg/L) with cardiovascular

disease and/or rheumatoid arthritis and/or osteoarthritis.

Half of the subjects received 300mg of NKO daily and half were given a placebo.

* After 7 days, CRP decreased 19.3% in those treated with NKO and increased

15.7% in the placebo group.

* After 14 days, CRP decreased 29.7% in the NKO group and increased 32.1% in the

placebo group.

* After 30 days, CRP decreased 30.9% in the NKO group and dropped to a 25.1%

increase in the placebo group.

* Arthritis symptoms were assessed using the WOMAC arthritis score assessment.

Researchers found that " NKO reduced pain scores by 28.9%, reduced stiffness by

20.3% and reduced functional impairment by 22.8% " .

Researchers concluded that " results of the present study clearly indicate that

NKO at a daily dose of 300 mg significantly inhibits inflammation and reduces

arthritic symptoms within a short treatment period of 7 and 14 days " .

Previous studies have found that Krill oil can significantly lower LDL

cholesterol while raising HDL, a fete that no pharmaceutical drug as yet managed

to achieve.

The journal Alternative Medicine Review reported that " krill oil is effective

for the management of hyperlipidemia by significantly reducing total

cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides, and increasing HDL levels. At lower and

equal doses, krill oil was significantly more effective than fish oil for the

reduction of glucose, triglycerides, and LDL levels. "

The findings of these studies provide good news, both for people seeking safe

and effective ways to reduce their risks for cardiovascular disease and to treat

the debilitating symptoms of osteo and rheumatoid arthritis.

Have you had a C-reactive protein test?

C-reactive protein is a glycoprotein produced by the liver. It is found in trace

amounts in healthy people but rises during acute, systemic (widespread)

inflammation.

A more sensitive CRP test has been developed and is available at labs

nationwide. It is called a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) assay

and is a better test for determining risk for heart disease than the older,

non-sensitive, CRP assay. Elevated hs-CRP is considered a positive risk factor

for heart disease. If your doctor recommends a CRP test, or if you request one,

make sure it is the newer hs-CRP assay.

The American Heart Association protocol for CRP: CVD risk

* You are at low risk of developing cardiovascular disease if your hs-CRP level

is lower than 1.0mg/L.

* You are at average risk of developing cardiovascular disease if your levels

are between 1.0 and 3.0 mg/L.

* You are at high risk for cardiovascular disease if your hs-CRP level is higher

than 3.0 mg/L.

According to information at crphealth.com " In middle-aged Americans, the average

hs-CRP level is between 1.0 and 2.0 mg/L. About one quarter of Americans have a

hs-CRP level above 3mg/L, placing them in the higher risk group " .

What is Krill Oil and where does it come from?

Krill are tiny marine crustaceans that feed on phytoplankton. They are at the

bottom of the oceanic food chain and are a major food source for migratory sea

life, including whales and seals. Because they are so low on the food chain,

mercury, PCBs and heavy metals contamination are not considered safety issues

like they are in sourcing fish oils.

Krill oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)

and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vitamins A and E, and the antioxidant

astaxanthin.

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid pigment responsible for the pinkish color of the

crustacean shell and is a powerful " quencher " of the free radical singlet oxygen

and scavenger of peroxyl radicals that damage cell structure and function.

Compared to omega-3 rich fish oils, krill oil has a slightly different

biomolecular profile and is thought to be absorbed more readily through the

intestinal wall, increasing the " bioavailability " of omega three fatty acids.

Smaller doses provide many of the same benefits correlated with fish oil intake

and the additional antioxidant content of Krill oil make it an important

alternative, preventive, and therapeutic treatment for CVD and other

inflammatory related diseases.

References and additional reading:

Journal of the American College of Nutrition 2007 Feb;26(1):39-48

Evaluation of the effect of Neptune Krill Oil on chronic inflammation and

arthritic symptoms., Deutsch, L

(http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/abstract/26/1/39)

Altern Med Rev 2004;9(4):420-428

Evaluation of the effects of Neptune krill oil on the clinical course of

hyperlipidemia, Ruxandra Bunea

(http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4648)

Am Heart J. 2005;150(5):1064.e1-1064.e5.

(http://doctor.medscape.com/viewarticle/517642_2)

(http://www.crphealth.com/faq/gen/1/why.hs-crp.html)

(http://www.astaxanthin.org/antiox-prop.htm)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------