Akers Krill Oil Reduces RA

OSLO, NorwayKrill oil significantly reduced rheumatoid arthritis (RA) scores in an experimental animal model, leaving researchers to conclude the omega-3 may be a useful intervention strategy against inflammatory arthritis (BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2010, 11:136). 

Consumption of Aker BioMarines proprietary ingredient Superba Krill Oil significantly reduced the arthritis scores and hind-paw swelling in collagen-induced arthritis susceptible DBA/1 mice when compared to a control diet not supplemented with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), according to researchers at MD Biosciences, Neurology Discovery Services, Ness Ziona, Israel.

The mice in the study ate either a control diet or a diet supplemented with either krill oil or fish oil. The three treatment groups each had 14 mice. The mice who consumed Superba received 0.44 g/100 g of EPA and DHA, and those who were supplemented with the fish oil consumed 0.47 g/100 g of EPA and DHA.

At the end of the treatment period, the arthritis score was reduced by a statistically significant 47 percent with Superba Krill Oil treatment compared to 26 percent for fish oil. Furthermore, mice fed the krill oil diet had fewer inflammatory cells in joint and synovial tissues, when compared to control.

SuperbaKrill Oil provides the majority of the omega-3 fatty acids in the form of phospholipids, whereas fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids exclusively in the form of triglycerides. SuperbaKrill is a natural source of EPA and DHA omega-3 essential fatty acids and also includes the naturally occurring antioxidant astaxanthin.

According to Hogne Vik M.D., Ph.D., of Aker Biomarine, "This is an important preclinical study demonstrating the effects of Superba Krill Oil.  Previous research with standard fish oil has shown benefits in arthritis, however the phospholipid EPA & DHA in krill is believed to be more bioefficient.  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."

Aker BioMarine is an integrated biotechnology company dedicated to the sustainable harvesting of krill and development of krill-derived biotech products. The company supplies biomarine ingredients through an optimized value chain from raw materials to customers. Aker BioMarine's Superba Krill products are provided with 100-percent traceability from the Antarctic sea to the end user.  Aker BioMarine has also been awarded Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certification.