The X Factor in Kori Krill Oil Comes from its Phospholipid Advantage

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for our long-term health. From brain power to immune support, we need omega-3s on a regular basis, specifically the essential fatty acids EPA & DHA. One of the best ways to get the adequate amount of EPA & DHA is in the form of oily fish but supplementing with a high-quality marine based omega-3 like Kori Krill Oil, will also help you raise your levels in an efficient way.

Did you know that not all omegas are created equal? It’s true. To fully reap all the powerful health benefits that come from an omega-3 supplement, it’s important to understand its type and form. Absorption and digestion play a major role in how nutrients are utilized by the body, and this varies with different omega-3 options. For example, when a person consumes a krill oil supplement, they are getting omega-3 fatty acids (EPA & DHA) and choline in phospholipid form, which is the exact same form that your body requires to work properly. The phospholipids transport the nutrients found in krill oil into the liver and blood stream before they are absorbed into the cell membranes in the most effective way. To fully comprehend the magic of phospholipids, it’s essential to first understand the importance of cellular health, omega-3 types and forms, and how it all connects.

The human body is believed to contain more than 30 trillion cells that aid in keeping it healthy and functioning at its best. Each cell is wrapped in a cellular membrane that protects the integrity of the cell. Healthy cell membranes are soft and permeable, allowing for key nutrients to be easily absorbed into the body and for metabolic waste to be expelled without any issues.

On the contrary, unhealthy cells are hard and rigid and do not function at their best. Cellular health comes down to healthy cell membranes, which are largely made up of phospholipids. Phospholipids are also found in krill oil, which work at the cellular level to deliver total body health benefits. One of the best ways to support cellular health and longevity is by fueling our bodies with the right nutrients that are transported and absorbed at a cellular level. Kori Krill Oil is a solution that helps to contribute to better cellular health.

When choosing an omega-3 supplement, you need to be aware of the 3 different types of nutrients available. There are three omega-3 nutrients – EPA, DHA and ALA.

ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) is the primary omega-3 that is found in plant sources such as seeds and nuts. We cannot make ALA on our own, therefore we need to get it from our diets.

EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) & DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (unsaturated fats that are considered healthy fats). EPA & DHA are mainly found in animal sources, fatty fish, as well as in krill and algae sources. EPA & DHA are the two most important omega-3 fatty acids that our bodies need to properly function at every stage in life. They are also some of the most extensively researched nutrients in the world today. According to GOED, (the only organization focused specifically on increasing consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3s around the world), there are more than 50,000 published studies on EPA and DHA, including more than 5,000 human clinical trials.

We talked about the nutrient type, now let’s focus on the form. When it comes to omega-3 options, there are three main forms—triglycerides, ethyl esters and phospholipids—and they all have different implications regarding digestion, absorption, utilization and where they go as well as what they do inside the body.

Triglycerides are a common omega-3 type found in fish oil. The physical characteristics of triglycerides differ from other forms such as phospholipids and this affects how they are tolerated by the body. To be digested and absorbed by the body triglycerides need assistance from bile to be emulsified in the intestines. Often when not digested well, fish oil separates out and floats on top of our stomach's digestive fluids which can lead to problems with aftertaste and fishy burps.

Ethyl esters are a highly concentrated form of omega-3s, but these are an esterified form that is not natural. Unlike triglycerides and phospholipids that are found in the natural form, ethyl esters are produced by combining crude fish oil with ethanol to create concentrated omega-3s. Moreover, this ethyl ester form is shown to have the least absorption when taken without a fatty meal to aid the absorption.

Phospholipids, mainly found in krill oil supplements, are the closest form you will find to the form found in fatty fish like salmon or tuna. They are self-emulsifying and mix very well with water. This means that phospholipids are good for the intestines and stomach since they are digested and absorbed in a more efficient way then triglyceride or ethyl ester omega-3s. Due to the effective mixing mechanism of the stomach, no fishy aftertaste or digestion issues occur.

The phospholipid advantage is what gives Kori Krill oil the X factor, setting it apart from other omega-3 solutions. It’s all about where the nutrients go, how they get there and what they do to support whole body health. As krill oil begins its digestive journey in the body, it already begins to emulsify fat and get absorbed in the intestines, without requiring the assistance of bile, like fish oil supplements do.

From that point, the majority of the phospholipids then travel directly to the liver, whereas most triglycerides take a longer route through the lymphatic system, losing some of the omega-3s along the way. After passing through the liver, the phospholipids have a direct entry point into the cell membranes.

One of the most important factors is that phospholipids come in the same form as our body’s cells, therefore the integration is seamless. Often referred to as the “molecules of life”, phospholipids are a particular class of lipids that serves as the primary structural framework for the body's cell membranes. Each of our cells are protected by a membrane called the phospholipid bilayer that provides structure, enables nutrient uptake, energy production, as well as a myriad of vital functions that all form the basis for life. Phospholipids are also responsible for carrying EPA & DHA into the cell membranes which is where all the health benefits happen.

Getting the most out of your omega-3 supplement is crucial, and by understanding the importance of types and forms and how it affects your body, you are setting your cells up for success. Whole body health starts at the cellular level and by fueling your body with a phospholipid-based supplement you will help nurture your heart, brain joints, skin and much more.

And when it comes to choosing the right brand – Kori Krill Oil’s high-quality processes maintain a high phospholipid concentration just like you get in a healthy fish diet!