Krill Oil, Anyone?

Krill oil.  I really didn't know much about it except that it is a type of fish oil to help get omega 3.  It comes from krill...a fish in the shellfish family.  It's in close relationship with shrimp so if you are allergic to shellfish, you probably can't take this.  Anyway, I really don't eat fish and I never could take fish oil because it gave me diarrhea.  But my SIL told me about krill oil and that she didn't have those issues.  I decided to try it after a little research on the topic.  I can take it with no problem!  Finally I could help my cardiovascular system.  Yippee!  Plus, I only have to take two capsules a day (1,000 mg) to get the omega 3. With fish oil,  you have to take 3,000 mg to get the same amount of omega 3.  It's also absorbed easier than fish oil, too, and I have absorption problems.

 

The reason I'm talking about this is on the fibro forum is I started taking this before I had to go off ibuprofen.  I noticed that I didn't need as much ibuprofen after a few days.  That puzzled me so I started REALLY researching this and it can help with inflammation!  So, I wasn't going crazy after all. 

 

When I had to stop the ibuprofen I developed a lot of pain so this shows me that krill oil can't handle all the pain but, if you are taking something for pain anyway, perhaps using this instead of fish oil might help you a little more.  Talk with  your doctor or pharmacist before taking it, though.  My doctor was fine with this.

 

Also, since I've been taking krill oil I have been sleeping much better!  I used to wake up every 1 1/2 - 2 hours all night long.  Plus, I would be sleeping and all of a sudden my eyes would just pop open!  But, since I've been taking krill oil, I have only been getting up once a night.  I sleep 3-4 hours straight before awakening and I haven't done that in years.  Then, I go back to sleep for another 4 hours.  I'm not as fatigued, either.  So this is another bonus for me.

 

I'll be getting blood work the end of December.  I stopped taking my statin drug because of all the muscle pain I've been having and statins can cause this.  So, I'll fill you in how my cholesterol is once I find out.  I never had high cholesterol but my doctor wanted it VERY low because I'm also diabetic.  I'm hoping the krill oil keeps it low without taking statin drugs.  In my research, many have had great success with this.

 

I told you that I'm trying certain things and would let you know how they work for me.  We are all different so keep that in mind, too.  So, you might want to research this.  Also, not all krill oil is alike.  You get what you pay for most generally so really check it out. 

 

Sherrine

 

 

What brand of Krill oil do you use?

I take krill oil too and it's helped raise my good cholesterol a little.  I hadn't thought of 2 pills a day - thanks for the suggestion.  Minding our nutrition seems to help with fibro pain.

I can't take fish oil because I react to it - gastric reflux and tachycardia.  Something in it may have sulfite.  They spray down fish and shrimp on the boats with sulfite to prevent spoiling.  I can only eat ocean fish if it's well washed, shrimp too.  I don't have a true allergy to fish or shrimp.

I only tolerate statins 3 times a week.  Getting rid of the muscle pain from statin intolerance helped with fibro pain a little.  I read an article that said even people who don't tolerate statins may tolerate them once a week or so.  That's me!  I only take 5 mg of Crestor, don't tolerate some of the others at all.  It's a subject to discuss with your cardiologist or maybe your PCP.  I have familial high cholesterol, really need help besides diet.

The liver takes carbohydrates and turns them into cholesterol.  Avoiding fat doesn't help, only avoiding bread and other carbs.  I cut my carbs, especially bread, way down and lowered my cholesterol and lost weight.  Now, at weight where I want to stay, I try to only eat good carbs.

No cure here, but I feel better.

Sherrine, how big are those krill oil capsules? I'm currently taking Fish oil (Omega 3) for ocular rosacea, but those are so big that sometimes I have a hard time swallowing them.

My doctor told me to take 2 fish oil capsules a day to help with my cholesterol and heart. I have a huge family history of heart disease and I have high blood pressure and cholesterol. I'm very allergic to shellfish so no krill for me.

Bwfm, I know this sounds gross but I chew the fish oil capsules! I tried many times to swallow the pill but just couldn't. I've been doing this for several years and it doesn't bother me at all. I just swallow some water or juice with the oil, then hot coffee to get the taste out of my mouth.

I also have given up most bread which I just love. I do eat one slice of 100% whole grain once a day. Also, steel cut oatmeal everyday. Tomorrow I get my cholesterol tested. It was good 6 months ago and I am also on 80mg of a statin.

Sherrine, I plan to talk to my doctor about the CoQ10. I keep reading about the need for it while taking statins. Glad you are getting some relief from pain and sleep problems with the krill.

Hi Sherrine,

I saw an advertisement for Mega Red krill oil last night so I decided to take another look at this thread.

Question: Would it be better to start off with the Advantis to begin with since it is less expensive to get the 1000 mg by taking two rather than three?

I googled Advantis krill oil and it didn't come up with a link to a website that sells it. Could you give us the link to the website that sells Advantis?

I went into the website where I purchase my vitamins from at a discounted rate. The price for 60 NOW 500 mg softgels is $13.88. How does that compare to MegaRed and Advantis? I trust the NOW brand of vitamins. I take several varieties of NOW vitamins.

Thanks!

I don't think I could chew those pills. I have a pretty healthy gag reflex and oh, that sounds so yucky!

Thanks for the info, Sherrine.

Thanks for the info Sherrine! I've been wondering about Krill oil for awhile, but I have never taken it because fish oil caps make me really sick (digestive issues, including the horrible fishy aftertaste *shudders*). I'll give it a try.

I am going to have to look into this and bring it up to my doctor and get his thoughts on it (or at least the dietician's thoughts). I am always looking for ways to supplement my diet without having to take a ton, and like someone said above, when I take fish oil, it gives me nasty tasting burps. Right now, I am just on basic vitamins though, since they (not sure which ones) have been making me sick (nausea). I am only on Calcium and a prenatal vit (I am not pregnant, but this is close to what the doctor really wants me on, and it is a script, so I don't have to pay out of pocket since it is covered 100% on my insurance).

Krill oil is something I have thought about, but was not sure what the benefits would really be. What does it help? Is it just for the Omega fatty acids, or are there other properties nutritionally that it helps? Also, how expensive is it? You have really peaked my curiosity. :)

I was taking Krill oil for quite a while because the pill size is small, and I already take a lot of pills the size of VW bugs. When I was referred to a cardiologist last year, he told me there's no research showing krill to be effective on blood lipids. He put me on 4800 mg a day of fish oil and my triglycerides and HDL are in the normal range for the first time in a long time. They're big gelcaps, but are enteric coated so no problems with burping fish oil.

I'm going to have to try this. I have high cholesterol but can't take any statin drugs due side effects of severe muscle weakness. Right now I take fish oil that are small and round but I can't get anywhere near the amount I am supposed to take with these. MY Rheumy years ago suggested fish oil for inflammation and it does help. I will be checking it out as it is time to buy more fish oil. Thanks Sherrine!

In the past I used Fish Oil as well. Past 2 years I have been using Krill Oil ( Krill Doctor Brand ) and would say that my experience has been much better and can say that my overall health is better. No fishy after taste or smell. Also it contains powerful nutrients such as Astaxanthin and other nutrients.