Special Enzyme Treatment Helps Krill Oil—But Not Fish Oil—Boost Brain Omega-3 Levels in Mice
This animal study looked at whether pre-treating omega-3 oils with a fat-digesting enzyme (lipase) could help more EPA and DHA reach the brain. Researchers treated krill oil and fish oil with a lipase enzyme, then fed these oils to mice for 30 days, comparing them to untreated versions of each oil.
The lipase-treated krill oil dramatically increased brain DHA (about 5-fold) and brain EPA (about 70-fold) compared to untreated krill oil. Fish oil, whether treated with lipase or not, had no measurable effect on brain DHA or EPA levels. The lipase-treated krill oil was also better at raising liver omega-3 levels, though it was less effective than the other oils at increasing omega-3 levels in fat tissue and heart tissue.
The researchers also measured a brain protein called BDNF, which is linked to brain cell growth and function. Only the lipase-treated krill oil produced a significant increase in brain BDNF; the other oil preparations had little to no effect.
What this means for you
This early-stage animal research suggests that the natural form omega-3s take in krill oil (attached to phospholipids) may be modified by enzyme treatment to more efficiently reach brain tissue, unlike standard fish oil. These findings are based on a mouse study and would need to be confirmed in human research before any conclusions can be drawn about brain benefits in people.
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Molecular nutrition & food research · 2020-06-01 · DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202000059
Read the original source ↗This summary is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement routine.