The Uncommon Side Effects of Krill Oil You Should Know Before Starting

6 minute read

Krill oil is known for its beneficial and healing properties. The omega-3 fatty acids it contains help protect your body from inflammation and oxidative damage as well as heart disease.

Krill may be small, but the health benefits are huge. As with all things, however, too much can cause unwanted side effects. Of course, these are not widely known, as they are not common, but it is important to know as much as possible when starting a new dietary supplement.

The Side Effects of Too Much Krill

It is important to remember that the side effects discussed will not occur for everyone, and they typically result from excessive doses by people with pre-existing health issues. In any case, here are some reported side effects.

High Blood Sugar: Individuals with diabetes need to be careful with krill oil or omega-3 supplements because too much can contribute to elevated blood glucose levels. Large doses of omega-3 fatty acids stimulate glucose production in the body which ramps up blood levels.

Research has found that it is only very high doses that have this effect, but it is recommended that you speak with your doctor before starting a supplement, especially if you have diabetes.

Bleeding: Studies have found that bleeding gums can occur as a result of excessive omega-3 fatty acid consumption. Too many omega-3s can interfere with the blood clotting and has been found to increase the occurrence of nosebleeds in adults.

As this is not a side effect that happens in everyone, should you notice it after starting a supply, consult your doctor. It may be that a smaller dose is needed, rather than avoiding the krill oil completely.

Low Blood Pressure: High blood pressure gets most of the bad press because of its link to heart disease, but low blood pressure is also bad for you.

One of the reasons people take krill oil is because omega-3s are known to lower blood pressure, and this is great for those with hypertension. For those without hypertension or already lower blood pressure, krill oil can be dangerous.

Krill oil can also interfere with certain blood pressure medications, so it is advised to speak with your doctor if you currently have blood pressure issues.

Diarrhea: Diarrhea is the most common side effect of taking high doses of krill oil, along with other common digestive problems, such as flatulence. Krill oil along with other oils with omega-3s, like flaxseed or fish oils, have been found to have a slight laxative effect.

If you notice that you get diarrhea after a supplement, then consider a lower dose or an alternative way to get omega-3s.

The Benefits of Krill Oil

Following the recommended dosage for a high-quality krill oil supplement may still have side effects, but it will also bring you a host of health benefits. What is important is to be aware of the potential side effects so you can cease the supplements should you notice any of them.

With that said, here are the numerous ways in which krill oil is able to benefit your health.

Fight Inflammation

Inflammation is a major contributing factor to serious diseases like diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. While some inflammation is necessary to fight infections, systemic inflammation puts your health is at risk.

Krill oil provides an excellent dose of the anti-inflammatory omega-3s that your body needs to control this. In addition to the omega-3s, krill oil also contains astaxanthin, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory compound. Fish oil is missing this powerful anti-inflammatory agent, which gives krill oil the edge.

Healthier Heart

Omega-3s are known for boosting heart health and krill oil has the omega-3s you need. High-quality krill oil supplements also help to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels which helps to protect your blood vessels from plaque accumulations. By regulating blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart disease, krill oil is a great supplement for optimal heart health.

Arthritis Relief

Arthritis is one of the most common health conditions we face today. The inflammation of joints causes immobility and pain that can interfere with daily life. Krill oil supplements have been found to reduce inflammatory markers common to arthritis and lead to enhanced joint health. By preventing pain, krill oil supplements can help those with arthritis live more comfortably.

PMS Relief

Not one of the more commonly known benefits of krill oil is the relief it can bring for PMS symptoms. When used in studies, krill oil effectively reduced symptoms of PMS and decreased overall period of pain for most women. By using krill oil, there was also a significant decrease in the amount of pain-relieving medications used during PMS.

The Bottom Line

Krill oil and its powerful omega-3s have been proven to provide numerous health benefits. Even the most natural supplements are not perfect though.

Because no one person is the same, there is no way to guarantee that krill oil can provide the same benefits to all. Some may experience side effects. It is therefore important to know the good and bad of any supplement before you start. Despite the possible side effects, krill oil has a lot to offer for such a small package.