Article Date: Oct 06, 2011

Whether fish-derived or vegetarian, omega-3 has become a household term. Supplement sales continue to grow, and more and more foods are being fortified with the healthy fatty acids. But getting omega-3 foods into the mainstream remains a challenge.

Mainly, omega-3 is derived from fishes but lately there have been studies that show omega 3 can be found not only in the fish or vegetables but also in shrimps. Krill are tiny shrimp gaining attention as a rich source of omega-3, as well as other nutrients. There are about 85 species of the deepwater marine planktonic crustacean, or deepwater shrimp, which are the planet's most abundant animal biomass and which when captured and converted to oil, pack 48 times the antioxidant punch of standard fish oils.

Krill oil is a newly discovered source of omega 3 acids. Various claims are made in support of krill oil as a superior source of omega 3 fatty acids. The effect of krill oil, at a lower dose of EPA + DHA (62.8%), was demonstrated to be similar to that of fish oil.

“Surprisingly, a dose of EPA and DHA derived from fish oil modulated fewer pathways than a krill oil-supplemented diet and did not modulate key metabolic pathways regulated by krill oil, including glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism and the mitochondrial respiratory chain.” Despite the changes in gene expression, no changes in blood levels of lipids, glucose or insulin were observed.

Data provide support for a role of krill oil in ameliorating abnormalities seen with obesity and insulin resistance.

"Clearly this study demonstrates that omega-3 fatty acids in phospholipid form, which is abundant in krill oil, is more bioactive than the corresponding triglyceride form of the omega-3 fatty acids,” said Dr Jamie Barger of LifeGen Technologies.

Lifepak® Nano provides an advanced nutritional foundation for a long and healthy life—full of vitality and energy—free of debilitating conditions associated with nutritional deficiencies and the aging process. It contains krill oil that regulates genes in the liver and influence the production of glucose, fat and cholesterol metabolism. Krill oil was associated with a down regulation of genes in the liver associated with the production of glucose, and those associated with lipid and cholesterol synthesis.