Aker BioMarine Publishes Third Superba Krill Study

OSOLO, NorwayAker BioMarine published a  third study in the Journal of Functional Foods on its new Superba Krill Powder (containing a mix of protein and oil from Antarctic krill) performed at LifeGen Technologies, Madison, Wis., in collaboration with researchers from University of Bergen, Norway. For 12 weeks, a Superba Krill Powder-containing diet was administered to healthy mice before changes in hepatic gene expression levels were assessed.

 The study revealed pathways of metabolic processes were downregulated, including glucose metabolism and degradation of lipids and amino acids. However, energy metabolism was upregulated at the gene level. Researchers believe dietary supplementation with Superba has the potential to prevent age-related decline in weight and energy due to preservation of amino acids in combination with increased energy production.

 According to study author Bodil Bjørndal, Ph.D., "The findings of this study support further investigation into whether a lipid and protein combination product can have additional benefits over omega-3 supplementation alone; in particular, if a krill powder diet versus a krill oil diet has an added effect on pathways involved in protein metabolism."

Initial research on Superba Krill Powder focused on mice receiving a high-fat diet supplemented with krill powder. After six weeks of administration, blood and liver lipid levels improved and liver inflammation was reduced in the krill powder group only. A follow-up study in obese men confirmed Superba Krill Powder supplementation has a beneficial effect on blood triglyceride levels and further found significantly decreased waist/hip and visceral fat/skeletal muscle mass ratios .

Nils Hoem, chief scientist at Aker BioMarine will be presenting new data from this study at a session titled "Established, Emerging & Upcoming Krill Research" at SupplySide West 2013 in Las Vegas. According to Hoem, "The scientific documentation behind Superba Krill only continues to grow in support of our existing and new products."  The presentation will be held at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14 at booth 15075. The Aker BioMarine booth is 27035.