Possible Krill Oil Side Effects and Contraindications

Are there any krill oil side effects?

Krill are crustaceans that figure at the bottom of the evolutionary food chain; they are shrimp-like in appearance and about 6 cm in length. Krill thrive on a diet of phytoplankton in the ocean. Krill are eaten by whales, squids, penguins, seals and other marine life.

Krill fishing occurs on a commercial basis chiefly in the North Pacific Ocean and the southern ocean along the Canadian and Japanese coasts. Krill fishing is carried out for the purpose of aquaculture and feeds for aquariums, as fishing bait for sport, or as part of the human diet. Japanese krill is termed as okiami and is part of the Japanese diet.

One cannot speak of krill being a part of the human diet and not mention krill oil. It is found in its natural form in krill and this oil is believed to be an excellent nutritional supplement; krill oil is sold in health food stores and online - in krill oil capsule form.

The chief constituent of krill oil is omega 3 fatty acids, and this is the main reason that it is perceived to be a popular supplement nutritionally.

A lesser known constituent of krill is antioxidants - particularly one called astaxanthin, which is making krill oil more popular than it has been in the past. The reddish-pink color of krill comes from the algae that krill consume. This pigment is astaxanthin, which is found to be a powerful antioxidant and is making krill more sought after as a nutritional supplement.

Krill oil is used for similar reasons as fish oil, flax oil, etc, which is to treat conditions such as high cholesterol, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), arthritis, etc. Next, let us touch on a few possible krill oil side effects.

Krill Oil Side effects

So what are some potential krill oil side effects?

Krill oil is contraindicated in people who suffer from fish allergies. In addition, the side effects of krill oil are clearly stated and contraindicated in people with bleeding disorders, unless under the supervision of a qualified medical practitioner.

Krill oil is contraindicated for people who are prescribed blood thinners (which are antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications), such as warfarin, aspirin, heparin, clopidogrel, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications called NSAIDs, examples of which are ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.

Also, those on herbal and other supplemental treatments are advised to use krill oil with caution, as this increases the risk of bleeding. Examples of such herbal remedies are ginkgo biloba , garlic, etc.