Women's health is a hot topic these days - and for good reason.
With work, an extended family, and a home, women have busier schedules than ever. Although women’s bodies have some similar needs to men’s, the ladies have extra requirements to optimize health.
And krill oil supplements, like our Arctic Advantage, can help women cover their nutritional bases and fill in any gaps!
So in this article, we’ll dive into the many benefits of krill oil for women so you can kickstart your journey to a healthier you!
Arctic Advantage Krill Oil Softgels
What’s with Krill Oil?
Krill oil is rich in fatty acids called omega-3, particularly the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are well-known for their health benefits. Since the body cannot produce omega-3 and the conversion of fatty acids to DHA or EPA is highly inefficient, humans need to obtain omega-3s via food or supplementation.
There are countless studies that back omega-3, which is abundant in krill oil, to support women’s overall health. Let’s explore them below!
6 Reasons To Take Krill Oil if You’re A Woman
1. Helps ease menstrual pain
Periods are part of every woman's life. Unfortunately, severe and frequent cramps, AKA dysmenorrhea, often tags along resulting in pain and discomfort among women.
A study in 2011 investigated the effect of omega-3 in fish oil vs. ibuprofen in treating severe primary dysmenorrhea. Results showed a significant difference in the pain intensity before and after treatment with ibuprofen and omega-3, and the reduction in pain using omega-3 was higher than that of ibuprofen. Even though fish oil was used in the study, research on fish oil vs. krill oil revealed that krill oil possesses higher bioavailability of EPA and DHA, which means krill oil can support the body’s needs far quicker than that of fish oil.
Another study supports the research above by showing that supplementation with omega-3s reduced the intensity of primary dysmenorrhea and decreased the dose required for ibuprofen.
Finally, the most recent review of randomized controlled trials also confirmed the efficacy of omega-3 in alleviating primary dysmenorrhea.
2. Alleviates rheumatoid arthritis
Clinical studies suggest that women are about 3x more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA) than men, and that they also suffer greater disabilities than men with this disease.
While the causes are unclear, some studies support krill oil’s effect in alleviating RA.
Like this study in 2016 that aimed to understand the effect of omega-3 in RA patients which revealed that omega-3 supplementation significantly improved the patients’ clinical and laboratory characteristics. Omega-3 intake also helped reduce the patients’ analgesic medication. The results were supported by another clinical study in 2020 showing the potential of omega-3s to decrease RA disease activity on the swollen and tender joints.
3. Supports bone health
In general, women are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis than men because estrogen, a hormone essential for healthy bones, drops drastically post-menopause. Omega-3 studies, however, found that it can positively impact skeletal health.
An analysis of studies on omega-3 for osteoporosis found improvement in bone mineral density with omega-3 intake and suggested the potential benefit of combining omega-3s and calcium for stronger skeletal health.
The most recent research in 2021 demonstrated the effect of omega-3s to boost bone mineral density which was found to be more significant for postmenopausal women.
4. Keeps depression at bay
Anyone can be at risk of depression. But there are certain types of depression unique to women like Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, Perinatal Depression, and Perimenopausal Depression, which may be influenced by dramatic physical and hormonal changes. And they may occur at different stages of a woman’s life. Thankfully, research suggests that omega-3s can help women with the battle against depression.
A study of the effects of omega-3 on cognition and physiology of healthy patients showed that omega-3 improves mood profiles by increasing patients’ vigor and reducing their anger, anxiety, and depression states.
A meta-analysis of omega 3’s efficacy on mental health showed that both DHA and EPA play important roles in improving depressive symptoms - separate formulations of EPA and DHA did not exhibit such effect.
Another study revealed that low omega-3 in the body increased the risk of high-level depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Omega-3 consumption and supplementation helped maintain positive mental well-being.
5. Defends the body against cancer
Over the years, the number of people getting diagnosed with cancer has increased globally. And women are at risk of developing gender-specific cancers like breast, ovarian, and cervical cancers. Fortunately, more and more research is exploring the link between omega-3 and cancer.
A study in 2020 found that DHA demonstrated anti-tumorigenic and anti-invasive activity of ovarian cancer in mouse models. Although inconclusive, the research can be a building block for future studies on the property of omega-3s against ovarian cancer. Moreover, women with higher intake ratios of omega-3s have been found to have a reduced risk of breast cancer.
6. Supports pregnancy and early life
The benefits of krill oil are prominent even in early childhood development.
Peak accumulation of DHA among babies occurs in the last trimester of pregnancy as well as the first 6-10 months after birth. During this period, mothers are recommended to supplement with DHA-rich food or supplements to support the baby’s DHA absorption through breast milk.
Formula-raised children are at risk of DHA deficiency because they contain more linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids which yield lower DHA when converted.
Krill oil supplementation during pregnancy supports a newborn’s healthy brain and eye development. Conversely, DHA deficiency leads to impaired cognition and visual function.
Note: We advise pregnant and/or lactating females to consult their doctors for expert advice and guidance on krill oil supplementation.
Krill Oil is Every Woman’s Best Friend
Several studies have proven that krill oil is beneficial for women's physical and mental health. If you're planning to get pregnant, wanting relief from period pain or arthritis, or just want to live a better, healthier life, the benefits of krill oil for women can never be understated. That’s why we strongly recommend it as part of your daily diet!
If you’re looking for the best krill oil supplement out there, check out our Arctic Advantage to learn more!
Arctic Advantage Krill Oil Softgels
$29.99