Aker BioMarine sheds light on krill oil’s sea of potential for holistic, sustainable supplements

20 Apr 2021 --- Aker BioMarine is spotlighting krill oil as a dietary supplement that meets a surge in consumer demand for products that support overall health and well-being.

Traditionally known for its omega 3 fatty acids and heart health properties, krill oil has been recently researched for its impact on liver health, skin hydration and muscle activation in sports performance, the company notes.

Notably, over 80 percent of the published clinical studies globally on krill oil are conducted on Aker BioMarine’s product. 

NutritionInsight speaks with Roar Hernes, SVP sales and marketing at Aker BioMarine, as the company kicks off its two-day online event. Called The Big Krill Show, it aims to satisfy the industry’s quest for knowledge about the supplement sourced from the Antarctic sea. 

A multi-nutrient ingredient
The company’s Superba Krill oil, extracted from Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is a natural phospholipid complex, delivering omega 3s (EPA and DHA), phospholipids, choline and astaxanthin. 

Aker BioMarine’s Superba Krill oil is extracted from Antarctic krill.“Krill oil acts more as a multi-nutrient supplement delivering several important nutrients. Krill oil also contains its own naturally occurring antioxidant, astaxanthin, which is responsible for the striking red color of the capsules,” says Hernes. 

“All these nutrients each have their own mechanisms of action in the body. They are known to support several functions in the body from nerve signaling and muscle function to fat metabolism and regulating liver functions. They also protect the blood vessels and the cardiovascular system.”

To that end, there is no question that krill oil has multiple benefits and addresses many target areas, providing new and exciting opportunities in the industry, he says. 

Different from other omega 3s
An important selling point is that krill oil touts no fishy aftertaste, attributed to krill oil’s phospholipid content. 

“This is crucial to ensure that consumers who are sensitive to fishy smells have an alternative to fish oils and other omega 3 supplements that tend to give a fishy reflux,” says Hernes. 

“Phospholipid omega 3s mix well with water and therefore do not sit at the top of the stomach, like other omega 3 oils.” 

Furthermore, krill oil’s phospholipids omega 3s are directly taken up into the body cell membranes where they can exert their beneficial effect, he adds. 

In contrast, other forms of omega 3s need to be converted into phospholipid form in the liver first.

“Krill oil’s phospholipid form ensures that more omega 3s and choline are getting to the places which need them the most and used in their functional capacity, such as the vital organs, instead of being used as energy or stored as fat.”

Accelerated by COVID-19
The pandemic has spurred significant growth in dietary supplements globally as more consumers are turning to ingredients and products that support immune health, and overall health and well-being, explains Hernes. 

“Omega 3 fatty acids are no different, as consumers recognize the importance of maintaining a balanced, nutritious and well-rounded intake of nutrients to ensure that the body and immune system can function at its best.”

The pandemic has spurred significant growth in dietary supplements globally.He notes that krill oil’s naturally occurring nutrients are key essential nutrients. These must be obtained through diet and are needed for the body’s cells to function properly. 

“Consumers are looking for supplements that deliver multiple health benefits to support different areas of the body. Holistic health is a key focus for consumers, especially during the recent pandemic.”

Sustainable nutrition
In addition to its health and taste benefits, Aker Biomarine positions krill harvesting as the most sustainable fishery in the world. 

“In today’s market, consumers are looking for brands and products that align with their beliefs and values. They want to know that their products come from sustainable sources.” 

According to Matts Johansen, Aker BioMarine’s CEO: “Either we do it sustainably, or we don’t do it all.” 

Sustainability was core from the beginning when Aker BioMarine first went to Antarctica to harvest krill. Since then it has been a major cornerstone of the company’s business.

Aker BioMarine leverages its patented Eco-Harvesting Technology to harvest and produce krill oil sustainability. 

“The net stays submerged underwater and the krill are brought on board through a small hose, which eliminates the by-catch of other species. This method also ensures that the trawl system moves at a very slow speed to avoid disturbing the wildlife in the immediate area.”

Moreover, the majority of Aker BioMarine’s krill comes from the Antarctic Ocean, which is under the purview of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) that has set a strict catch limit of 1 percent of the total krill biomass each year. 

Strides in krill 
This January, Aker BioMarine launched Invi, a hydrolyzed krill protein isolate for powders, foods and beverages, tapping into the global demand for non-dairy and non-soy protein. 

Invi’s launch closely followed the company teaming up with Medical Food Solutions Research to develop its lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)-bound EPA and DHA ingredient Lysoveta into pharmaceutical therapies.

By Missy Green