Looking for vegetarian forms of DHA and EPA means searching through functional foods. You may be looking for a vegetarian source of DHA, such as in red algae, if the brand you choose isn't full of excess lead or mercury. You'd need to check out the evaluations of the brand you select. See, the article, What Are the Best Vegetarian DHA Sources? Also see the article, "Functional Ingredients: Is Algae DHA As Healthy as Fish Oil DHA?"
The article, What Are the Best Vegetarian DHA Sources mentions some vegetarian DHA sources available on the market such as the DHA derived from certain species of algae or fungus. Since most DHA comes from animal sources, it is especially important for vegetarians to supplement their diets using pills or other forms of supplementation in order to get this important fatty acid. Other potential sources for DHA include flaxseed and some lentils and nuts. Check out the site, "How do I choose the best DHA liquid?"
Krill oil
First let's look at krill oil, but it's not for those allergic to shellfish. It doesn't have as much DHA and EPA as fish oil, and you better not be allergic to shell fish to take krill oil safely. But if you're not allergic to shellfish, krill oil might be what you're looking for.
According to a 2008 article in the online publication, Disabled World, "Krill Oil Health Benefits, "Krill oil may be one of the most powerful supplements on the market today. Krill oil contains the omega-3 essential fatty acids, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) along with the potent antioxidant astaxanthin."
Consumers visiting local health food stores or a various organic, 'natural' and "whole foods" food markets carrying supplements may have a wide choice of numerous brands of fish or krill oil on the shelves from which to choose. Do you need more DHA than EPA from fish oil? Usually, DHA is emphasized over EPA for various health benefits focusing on nutrition.
Krill oil comes from miniature shrimp-like marine crustaceans found in oceans worldwide
Krill are most prevalent in cold-water oceans, such as the Antarctic and North Pacific. There are 18 species of krill and an estimated 500 - 750 million tons of krill worldwide - making them the most significant biomass of animals in the world. Krill are commonly one to five centimeters in size and swim in vast swarms.
Krill are small, shrimp like crustaceans that inhabit the cold ocean areas of the world, primarily the Antarctic and North Pacific Oceans. The tiny creatures being one to five centimeters in sizel make up the largest animal biomass on the planet. According to Neptune Technologies, the Canadian company that holds the patent for krill oil extraction, there are approximately 500 million tons of krill roaming around in these northern seas, 110,000 tons of which are harvested annually.
What About Fish Oil?
When it comes to fish oil, not krill oil, you can check out one of the best fish oil companies near Sacramento. It's a short drive from Sacramento in Watsonville, California, where the Nordic Natural fish oil pioneer and industry leading company announced a few months ago the results of a new scientific study. Before you take fish oil, did you ever wonder which form of fish oil is better--the natural triglyceride form, the ethyl ester form, or instead of fish oil, soft gels of krill oil? Generally, you need more DHA than EPA, but that depends what the reason is that you're taking fish oil.
If you take cod liver oil, you also get vitamin A and vitamin D. Or you can buy a bottle of cod liver oil without vitamin A or D. But then you have to wonder what process has been used to get rid of the vitamins and add back various flavors to hide the taste of fish oil. Another alternative is either fish oil or krill oil soft gels.
You need enough DHA for optimum brain and retinal health
Sometimes it's even put in baby food jars. DHA is the primary building block of the brain, retina, and central nervous system. You don't make DHA in your body, and you need to get it from food. Deficiencies of DHA may increase our risk of depression, memory loss, diabetes, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer's disease, autism, nervous system disorders, psychiatric disorders, alcoholism, sleeplessness, and behavioral problems. EPA provides anti-inflammatory benefits.
Pregnant women with deficiencies of DHA and EPA are at increased risk of developing postpartum depression and delivering a baby with lower IQ. Krill is also a natural source of the vitamins A, D, and E. Krill are food to fish, whales, sharks, seals, penguins, and other sea birds. Krill eat phytoplankton (microscopic plant life). Unlike many fish, krill are low enough on the food chain that they don't pose a threat of containing mercury. A Sacramento radio show on health once mentioned that krill oil doesn't thin the blood as much as fish oil. You can check out this detail.
The benefits of krill oil have been studied for at least 20 years
Clinical studies have found krill oil especially effective when treating heart disease and heart-related health issues. The DHA and EPA found naturally in krill oil dramatically reduce factors of heart disease by lowering high cholesterol, reducing high blood pressure, and inhibiting plaque and blood clots in arteries.
Krill oil reduces LDL (the bad) cholesterol, raises HDL (the good) cholesterol, and helps control blood sugar, which can aid in the prevention and treatment of diabetes, according to the article in Disabled World magazine. The anti-inflammatory properties of EPA provide pain relief from rheumatoid arthritis and other joint pains, by reducing stiffness and tenderness in the joints, and increases grip strength.
Krill oil can assist in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. EPA increases calcium in the body, which deposits onto bones and improves bone strength.
Research has shown that krill oil can effectively treat a wide variety of common ailments and health concerns
Krill oil may promote weight loss by controlling blood sugar and lowering high cholesterol. The essential fatty acids DHA and EPA not only lower the risk, but also aid in the treatment of depression and bipolar disorder. Children with ADHD often have low stores of omega-3 fatty acids. Low levels of these essential acids are shown to cause learning and behavioral problems. By increasing amounts of omega-3, researchers found that improvements were made in academic abilities and behavior.
Krill oil helps decrease light sensitivity in those who suffer from intolerance to light. Omega-3 may help asthma suffers; supplements have been shown to decrease inflammation and increase respiratory function. DHA and EPA may lower the risk of developing macular degeneration, according to the article in Disabled World magazine. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to alleviate problems associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Krill oil can decrease hot flashes, night sweating, and PMS-related pain.
Krill oil may help decrease the risk of certain types of cancer
In clinical studies, DHA and EPA appear to slow or reverse the early stages of colon cancer. The benefits were not applicable to late stages though. Consuming large quantities of omega-3 acids has shown a significant decrease in risk from dying of breast cancer.
Researchers are currently studying the effects of omega-3 combined with vitamins and other nutrients to prevent and treat breast cancer. As with breast cancer, researchers speculate that omega-3 reduces the chance of developing prostate cancer. For more information, read the article in Disabled World magazine online. See, "Krill Oil Health Benefits."
Krill oil provides many benefits over fish oil
Krill oil and fish oil both contain DHA and EPA. However, krill oil does not contain heavy metals that are harmful to the body. Krill oil contains powerful antioxidants, astaxanthin and vitamins, that are not present in fish oil. Unlike fish oil, krill oil does not cause fishy burps or bloating. Make sure you're not allergic to shellfish. If you are allergic to shell fish, you also may have an allergic reaction to krill oil. Check out the studies on krill oil allergies.
What About Fish Oil to Get More DHA Than Krill Oil?
Maybe you're allergic to shell fish but not to fish oil. According to a September 29, 2010 news release, the natural triglyceride form of fish oil has been reconfirmed and heightened this week by new scientific research in this field. Dr. Jorn Dyerberg and Danish co-workers demonstrated that the bioavailability of omega-3s in the re-esterified triglyceride form was 70 percent higher than omega-3s in the ethyl ester form, according to new findings published in the journal Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids.
From its inception in 1995, Nordic Naturals has offered its concentrated fish oil exclusively in this form, citing that the re-esterified triglyceride form ensured optimal absorption and utilization, thus improving efficacy. Consumers who read the study would like to know what's the diference between natural triglyceride fish oil and ethyl ester fish oil? And why is natural triglyceride fish oil better than ethyl ester fish oil? Let's take a look at the latest study of these two types of fish oils.
According to CEO Joar Opheim in the news release, “It is great to see science proving what we at Nordic Naturals have always believed. Our understanding of the body’s utilization of ingested omega-3s has always supported our commitment to re-esterified triglycerides as the best form for our concentrated fish oils. Thanks to Dr. Dyerberg’s findings we have the science to support the superiority of the triglyceride form.”
In fish, the omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, occur naturally in triglyceride form. To make a quality fish oil concentrate, the individual fatty acids must first be removed from the glycerol backbone.
To stabilize these delicate fatty acids, they are bound to an ethyl alcohol molecule before they undergo molecular distillation to both purify and increase the amounts of EPA and DHA. Once the desired concentration is achieved, a manufacturer chooses from two distinctly different options.
The first is to reattach the fatty acids to the glycerol backbone in a process known as “re-esterification” to recreate the natural triglyceride structure. The second, far less costly option is to leave the fish oil as an ethyl ester, a “new to nature” form of fatty acid.
“In an effort to always invest in a superior product that produces a superior result, Nordic Naturals continues to research, educate, and lead by example, influencing the standards of quality in the omega-3 marketplace,” adds Joar. “This is how we will fulfill our mission of correcting the omega-3 deficiency that exists in the world today.”
Since 1995, Nordic Naturals has been the industry leader in fish oil supplementation, setting standards of excellence in the areas of purity, freshness, taste, and sustainability. With a reputation for efficacy and potency, Nordic Naturals fish oils and EFA blends are regularly chosen by independent research institutions and universities with 13 published scientific studies already completed and more than 30 currently underway.
Distributing to over 30 countries on 6 continents, Nordic Naturals offers over 150 products in a variety of flavors, concentrations, and delivery forms. Nordic Naturals continues to deliver on its promise of innovation and quality you can trust. For information, visit the Nordic Naturals website.
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