| Research has shown that krill oil provides protection against roundworms and the neurodegenerative process that occurs in human cells. (Photo = DB) |
[메디컬투데이=최재백 기자] Krill oil has been shown to provide protection against roundworm and neurodegenerative processes occurring in human cells.
A study published in the journal Aging found that krill oil provides protection against roundworms and Parkinson’s disease (PD)-related neurodegenerative processes in human cells.
Krill oil is high in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and choline, a nutrient essential for healthy brain development and function. According to previous studies, krill oil supplementation was effective in suppressing memory loss in mice with Alzheimer’s disease, and the lipid component of krill oil is effective in reducing inflammation and preserving cognitive function due to high bioavailability and absorption efficiency.
In addition, a recent research team reported that krill oil protected dopaminergic neurons from age-related neurodegeneration and improved cognitive function.
The research team conducted research on roundworms, which have a similar aging process to humans. They first measured the efficacy of krill oil in roundworms with Parkinson’s disease, which is characterized by a degeneration of dopaminergic neurons over time.
The research team reported that dopaminergic neurons decreased by more than 30% after 6 days in roundworms not given krill oil, whereas dopaminergic neurons did not decrease in roundworms given krill oil.
According to the research team, nearly 50 alpha-synuclein protein clusters, which are characteristic of Parkinson’s disease, were found in roundworms not given krill oil, but only 17 in roundworms given krill oil.
Parkinson’s disease is also known to affect movement, and it was found that roundworms given krill oil moved faster and had higher activity than roundworms not given krill oil.
In addition, krill oil has been shown to prevent cells from losing their ability to grow and divide, reduce oxidative stress by up to 6-fold, improve cognitive function in roundworms, as well as promote genetic activity that promotes healthy aging.
The research team said that roundworms with Parkinson’s disease did not respond to krill oil, and predicted that krill oil might affect aging and key mechanisms of Parkinson’s disease.
Experts say that unlike oils from other marine organisms, krill oil characteristically contains eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which help support immune function, cardiovascular function, and neuroprotection. and explained that the phospholipids in krill oil can enhance tissue absorption and cross the blood-brain barrier.
One study found that pretreated krill oil could increase brain EPA and DHA levels by 5 to 70 times more than regular krill oil, but other fish oils, with or without pretreatment, had no effect on brain EPA or DHA levels.
Experts then added that phosphatidylcholine, a phospholipid component of krill oil, has the effect of increasing neuronal uptake and directly stabilizing the nerve membrane.
They explained that improved bioavailability and stabilization of neuronal membranes with krill oil are important for anti-inflammatory activity and maintenance of structural and functional integrity of nerves and may reduce inflammatory changes associated with aging.
Finally, they noted that krill oil contains antioxidants such as astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is known to have anticancer, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, cardiovascular health, eye health, and skin health enhancement effects.
This study suggests that krill oil, unlike other marine oils, has the ability to specifically slow down neurodegenerative processes in the brain. The research team concluded that krill oil promotes healthy aging in many ways.
Meanwhile, they cautioned, the findings don’t mean everyone should start taking krill oil to treat neurodegeneration.
They note that the results obtained with roundworms may not be applicable to humans, and that krill oil does not have a significant effect in whole animals because it is monoacyl phospholipids that cross the blood-brain barrier, whereas diacyl phospholipids are contained in krill oil. pointed out that it can
Medical Today Reporter Jaebaek Choi ([email protected])
[저작권자ⓒ 메디컬투데이. 무단전재-재배포 금지]