How krill shrimp contributes to women's health

Omega-3 fatty acids have multiple roles: they are important for hormonal balance, concentration and memory, the normal course of pregnancy and breastfeeding. A diet rich in these valuable substances has a beneficial effect on the health of the heart and blood vessels, and at the same time ensures the proper development of the brain and vision in infants and children.

Omega-3 fatty acids are important in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in women of all age groups. The most researched was the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea, i.e. painful periods. Scientists have found a connection between the severity of menstrual pain and a reduced concentration of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood.Since it is believed that dysmenorrhea occurs when women produce an excess of prostaglandin F2alpha, which leads to strong uterine cramps, one of the logical ways to solve this problem lies precisely in a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

A superior omega-3 dietary supplement such as krill shrimp has a whole range of uses that contribute to better health for women.

Predmenstrualni sindrom – PMS  je skup fizičkih i emocionalnih simptoma koji su vezani uz menstrualni ciklus. Simptomi se javljaju obično 6 dana prije menstrualnog krvarenja te se ponavljaju u dva uzastopna ciklusa. Uz PMS se veže oko 200 simptoma. Emocionalni simptomi su: razdražljivost, nagle promjene raspoloženja, psihička preosjetljivost, iritabilnost, ljutnja, umor, depresija, nesanica, slaba koncentracija, promjena apetita i pojačana potreba za slatkom, slanom i masnom hranom. Fizički simptomi uključuju bolove u zglobovima i mišićima, glavobolju, napetost i osjetljivost grudi, pritisak u donjem dijelu trbuha, mučninu, promjene vezane uz stolicu, promjene u težini, prekomjerno zadržavanje tekućine u organizmu, pojačano lučenje sebuma i pojavu akni.

Postoji i teži oblik ovog poremećaja koji se naziva PMDD – predmenstrualni disforični poremećaj gdje se  uobičajeno javlja 5 simptoma od kojih je jedan depresija ili tjeskoba. Jedan od uzroka PMS-a je ciklička promjena hormona, do koje dolazi radi fluktuacije hormona, a takvi simptomi nestaju trudnoćom ili menopauzom.

An interesting study was conducted at the University of Montreal on women diagnosed with premenstrual syndrome. The patients were divided into three groups: the first group used krill oil, the second fish oil, and the third placebo.The researchers also recorded data on the use of painkillers. The results showed that women who took krill oil used significantly less pain medication compared to the other groups.

Regarding breast cancer and omega-3 fatty acids, a Chinese study showed that fish consumption reduces the risk of breast cancer. However, other conducted studies did not confirm these results. One showed that the risk of developing breast cancer in 70% of cases is lower if there is a high concentration of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in the fatty tissue of the breasts. Another study found a link between elevated levels of omega-6 fatty acids and an increased risk of breast cancer metastases. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been found to have the exact opposite effect.

Genetic predisposition plays the biggest role in the development of colon cancer, but in 90% of cases, other external factors, including diet, play a role. Several studies have confirmed that people who eat mostly fish have the lowest chance of developing colon cancer.

Research that dealt with the issue of depression, which is not rare in women, found a negative correlation between the risk of depression and the concentration of DHA in adipose tissue. Also, it has been shown that the risk for postpartum depression is inversely proportional to the consumption of fish, that is, the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids in the form of dietary supplements.

The use of omega-3 fatty acids in menopause has found an important benefit.

A team of Italian scientists found a significant reduction in hot flashes in women who used omega-3 fatty acids, and attributed the positive effect to the effect on nerve cells or to a role in modulating the function of neurotransmitters.

When it comes to the prevention of osteoporosis and proper mineralization of bone tissue, it has been shown that the desirable ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is of key importance.

Krill oil has an anti-aging effect due to its antioxidant effect. In women who took krill shrimp for 3 months, there was an improvement in the texture of the skin, nails and hair. In 60% of cases, there was a reduction in wrinkles, and 50% of the respondents stated that they felt they had more energy, mental clarity and better concentration.

The fact is that in women there are specific needs for omega-3 fatty acids that must be recognized and should be met either through diet or through nutritional supplements.

Author: MD. Sanja Boras, specialist in gynecology and obstetrics (Poliklinika Boras)