- an important fat that increases the absorption of omega-3
Omega-3 fatty acids are of great importance for our body to function optimally. Research suggests that especially omega-3 bound in phospholipids plays a very special role. In krill oil, the majority of omega-3 fatty acids are bound in phospholipids.
Therefore, krill oil is an important source to ensure the body the essential omega-3 fatty acids.
Phospholipids are fats that are part of all cell membranes in the body. They provide cells with flexibility and strength, and without the phospholipids, the cells simply cannot function.
The phospholipids bind the polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, in the cell membranes in the various tissues and organs. In cases where the cell is deficient in fatty acids, it becomes less flexible and works worse.
Thus, waste products and cell products have more difficulty being expelled from the cell, and it has a harder time absorbing nutrients and signaling substances.
Phospholipids are a natural and important fatty acid for the body's cells. They are structural components in cell surface membranes and membranes within cells, as they help maintain cell strength, flexibility, and integrity.
Ud over at være strukturelle vigtige komponenter i dine celler så er fosfolipider med til at transportere de vigtige langkædet omega-3 eicosapentaensyre (EPA) og docosahexaensyre (DHA) til dine cellemembraner. EPA og DHA giver kroppens celler fleksibilitet og bliver transporteret rundt i din krop for at hjælpe dine forskellige væv og organer.
Fosfolipider kan nedbrydes i cellen og bruges til energi. De kan også opdeles i mindre molekyler kaldet kemokiner, som regulerer en række aktiviteter i cellen, såsom produktion af visse proteiner og migrering af celler til forskellige områder af kroppen.
Derudover findes fosfolipider i områder som lunger og led, hvor fosfolipider vigtigt hjælper med at holde celler sunde.
Phospholipids (krill oil) are very similar to triglycerides (fish oil) in their structure, but instead of one of the three fatty acids in the triglyceride, a phosphate group is attached to the phospholipid. This gives the phospholipid some special properties that are important for all cell functions, as the membrane of all cells is made up of them.
Triglyceride, on the other hand, is a storage form of fat, and it is the form the fat is in, for example, plant oil or visible fat on meat and fat deposits on humans. Phospholipids are thus considered as building blocks for cell membranes, while triglycerides are used in the body as an energy resource and as a storage molecule.
In krill oil, the majority of omega-3 fatty acids are bound in phospholipids, while omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil are bound in other forms of fat, such as triglycerides. This difference is significant for how omega-3 is absorbed and utilized in our body.
When omega-3 fatty acids are transported in triglycerides, a large part of the omega-3 fatty acids will be used for energy or stored as body fat. This means that the amount of omega-3 we ingest must be extra large, to ensure the cells a sufficiently high bioavailability of omega-3 fatty acids.
Bioavailability tells us how much of a substance reaches the bloodstream, from there to be absorbed into the body's cells. However, fatty acids bound in phospholipids have a higher bioavailability than those bound in triglycerides. Phospholipids are key components in all cells, and omega-3 that is bound in phospholipids will therefore be immediately available.
Several recent American studies have shown that krill oil to a far greater extent provides a larger amount of omega-3 EPA and DHA in the phospholipids in the body's many different tissues and organs after ingestion of krill oil, compared to fish oil.
American studies have furthermore concluded that a lower dose of omega-3 fatty acids from phospholipids resulted in just as high plasma levels of EPA and DHA, compared with the intake of a higher dose of omega-3 fatty acids from triglycerides in fish oil.
After just 7 weeks, the total EPA and DHA plasma level was 45% higher with the intake of krill oil compared to the intake of fish oil. Phospholipids bound in omega-3 from krill oil thus seem to be an important source to ensure the cells the good omega-3 fatty acids.
Another advantage of krill oil is that you avoid the bad aftertaste when ingesting omega-3. Omega-3 fatty acids bound in triglycerides, due to their chemical structure, cannot mix with the contents in the stomach, but will instead float on top of the content and cause an unpleasant aftertaste. This is often tasted after the ingestion of fish oil.
This unpleasant aftertaste is virtually not experienced with the ingestion of krill oil. The phospholipids in krill oil are water-soluble and therefore immediately mix with the liquid in the stomach.
Phospholipids play an essential role for human health, especially in relation to the absorption and utilization of omega-3 fatty acids, which are critical for the body's optimal function. These unique fats are fundamental for the construction of cell membranes, which is crucial for their function. Unlike omega-3 fatty acids bound in triglycerides, which are often used for energy or stored as fat, phospholipid-bound omega-3 fatty acids from krill oil ensure higher bioavailability. This means they are more efficiently available to the body and can be directly integrated into the cell structure, where they can exert their positive effects on health.
Studies have shown that krill oil, which is rich in phospholipid-bound omega-3 fatty acids, not only ensures better absorption and utilization of these essential fatty acids but also contributes to higher levels of EPA and DHA in the body compared to traditional fish oil. This underlines the importance of phospholipids in our diet, especially through sources like krill oil, to optimize the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids.
Moreover, krill oil offers an additional advantage by eliminating the unpleasant aftertaste often associated with the ingestion of fish oil, making it a more appealing supplement for many.
In summary, phospholipids are not only fundamental for cell health and function but also crucial for the effective absorption and utilization of omega-3 fatty acids, making them an indispensable component in a healthy diet to support general well-being and health.