Krill Powder Improves Lipid Metabolism

OSLO, NorwayKrill powder may have beneficial effects on lipid metabolism and inflammation, according to  a preclinical study on the effect of krill powder supplementation on the disturbed lipid metabolism and inflammation in a mouse mode (Metabolism. 2012 Apr 24).

Researchers from University of Bergen, Norway, investigated the effect of feeding mice a high-fat diet with or without Superba krill powder (from Aker BioMarine)for six weeks. Chronic low-grade inflammation is linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome by unfavorably affecting lipid metabolism. Superba krill powder extracted from Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) contains approximately 40 percent protein and 60 percent lipid of which 34 percent of the fatty acids are omega-3 fatty acids.

The study results suggested that feeding krill powder in addition to a high-fat diet to mice with persistent inflammation increased degradation of fatty acids, reduced the generation of fat and lowered the expression of genes involved in cholesterol and glucose metabolism that resulted in improved blood and liver lipid levels. Moreover, inflammatory markers in the liver were significantly reduced.

According to study author Lena Burri, Ph.D., "These findings support further clinical studies to investigate if krill powder has lipid lowering and anti-inflammatory effects also in humans and could alleviate obesity-related disorders."

Matts Johansen, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Aker BioMarine confirmed that a commercial launch of the phospholipid-rich Superba krill powder is right around the corner, and that a clinical study on inflammation and joint health with Superba krill powder is planned for this year.  

"The Superba krill powder is produced onboard our MSC certified vessel Saga Sea with a patent-pending technology," he said. "It provides customers with the possibility to formulate the fast growing krill ingredient into tablets and other dry forms."

In February, The Aker BioMarine Science Advisory Board met with Aker BioMarine's research and development scientists for a meeting focusing on krill's effect on joint health and inflammation.