Krill oil contains astaxanthin, can it help with weight loss? Experts have something to say!

Chinese people are crazy about losing weight, and there are more and more rumors about food and drugs. Recently, there has been a message circulating that "Antarctic krill oil is rich in astaxanthin, which can lower blood lipids and help lose weight after taking it." Is this true? Experts urge people to stop trusting in folk remedies!

There is a rumor that "Antarctic krill oil is rich in astaxanthin, which can lower blood lipids and help lose weight after taking it", but this statement was refuted by the Food and Drug Administration and nutritionists.

Can krill oil lower blood lipids? FDA: Food does not have therapeutic or preventive effects!

Regarding the rumor that "taking krill oil can lower blood lipids", the Food and Drug Administration specifically clarified in the "Food and Drug Rumor Refuting Section" of its official website that the content of the message has no relevant information source, and that food is not medicine and does not have the effect of treating, alleviating or preventing diseases. People should be cautious about such unfounded rumors and not believe them easily.

Nutritionist: Lowering blood lipids does not necessarily help lose weight

Hou Wenyi, director of the Nutrition Department of St. Martin's Hospital, said that "astaxanthin" is a type of carotenoid, mostly found in marine organisms such as shrimp, crabs, salmon and algae. It has strong antioxidant properties. A review of the literature shows that in small studies, it has the effect of protecting the macula of the eye and increasing blood flow to the eye. Other scientists believe that astaxanthin can reduce distraction and improve cognitive function in the elderly, and research is currently being conducted in the direction of preventing dementia.

When it comes to lowering blood lipids and helping with weight loss, nutritionist Hou Wenyi first emphasized that the composition of the body and the blood are not exactly the same. It is also common in clinical practice to find that many thin people are light in weight, but their triglycerides and cholesterol are significantly above the standard when tested in blood. This shows that "lowering blood lipids" and "helping with weight loss" are two different things and cannot be generalized.

Astaxanthin lowers blood lipids? There is no significant effect in the human body!

Next, let’s discuss the lipid-lowering effect of astaxanthin. At present, in vitro cell (culture dish) experiments have indeed found that astaxanthin extract can regulate a receptor called "PPAR-α", reduce lipid accumulation in fat cells, and "may" have the effect of regulating blood lipids. However, perhaps because the human body varies so much, astaxanthin has not shown significant results in lowering blood lipids in human trials.

Only by establishing the correct concept of nutritional intake can we maintain good health.

Can Astaxanthin Help You Lose Weight? Even the results of animal experiments are unclear!

As for whether astaxanthin can help you lose weight? The results of an animal (rats) experiment in mainland China found that when fed a low dose of astaxanthin, both male and female rats became fat; when fed a medium dose, male rats lost weight, while female rats remained the same; when fed a low dose, female rats remained the same, but gained weight. Therefore, the effectiveness of astaxanthin in helping with weight loss is still unclear.

Can krill oil supplementation improve health? A balanced diet and adequate exercise are more practical!

Interestingly, nutritionist Hou Wenyi discovered the health benefits of krill oil. In recent years, many scientists in mainland China believe that krill oil is rich in essential fatty acids Omega-3, which has the same good or even better anti-inflammatory effects as fish oil. It can not only protect the cardiovascular system, prevent various chronic inflammations and arthritis, but also relieve women’s menopausal discomfort. It has many benefits to health, so they are actively engaged in research and development. However, relevant research has not yet reached a clear conclusion, and people should not rush into a state of crazy shopping and eating.

Whether it is to lower blood lipids or lose weight, the Food and Drug Administration reminds people to maintain a balanced diet, develop healthy living habits, exercise appropriately and maintain an ideal weight, and establish correct nutritional intake concepts in order to maintain good health. If you feel unwell, you should seek medical attention promptly and follow the doctor's advice. Do not listen to folk remedies and delay seeking medical attention.

Nutritionist Hou Wenyi also reminded that the diet pattern that is truly good for the body is "balanced intake of six major food groups." If you supplement a certain nutrient in large quantities because you believe it is good for the body, the excessive intake may interfere with the absorption and function of other nutrients, which may be harmful to your health in the long run and not be worth the loss.