Krill oil vs fish oil to manage premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea

In this study, researchers at the University of Montreal, in Quebec, evaluated the response to alternative sources of omega-3 fatty acids (krill vs fish) in women with premenstrual syndrome.

A reader comments, and I reply. So, it’s back to the top of the queue for this post.

First, the details.

• 70 women of reproductive age diagnosed with premenstrual syndrome were randomly assigned to a treatment group for 3 months.
  • Krill oil (Neptune) 1 gram soft gel
  • Fish oil 1 gram soft gel
• During the study, the women answered questions (0 = no symptoms to 10 = unbearable) based on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) diagnostic criteria for premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea.
  • More on the premenstrual syndrome and the ACOG criteria is here and in the study article.
• The women also recorded the number of pain pills they took for dysmenorrhea.
• Neither the patients nor researchers knew the treatment given — double blind.

And, the results.

• Taking krill oil was associated with significant symptomatic improvement compared to the fish oil group.
• Taking krill oil was associated with significant improvement in all of the symptoms measured at 45 and 90 days after starting treatment.
  • Breast tenderness
  • Overwhelmed
  • Stress
  • Irritability
  • Depression
  • Joint pain
  • Weight gain
  • Stomach pain
  • Swelling
  • Bloating
• Taking fish oil was associated with significant improvement in the following symptoms.
  • Weight gain (at 45 and 90 days after starting treatment)
  • Stomach pain (at 45 and 90 days)
  • Swelling (at 90 days)

• There was a significant reduction in the number of pain pills used for dysmenorrhea in both groups compared to the start of the study.
  • There was no difference between treatments, however.
• No serious side effects were reported during the study.
• Patients taking krill oil didn’t experience gastrointestinal difficulties such as regurgitation, while 64% of the women taking fish oil complained of unpleasant reflux.
• Those taking krill oil reported increased alertness, energy, and well-being.

The bottom line?

The authors concluded that compared to omega-3 in fish oil, the omega-3 in this brand of krill oil, “significantly reduce[s] dysmenorrhea and the emotional symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, and is… significantly more effective for the complete management of premenstrual symptoms compared to omega-3 fish oil.”

Krill is similar to fish oil except that it contains naturally occurring phospholipids, and more eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) per gram than standard fish oil capsules — 240 mg/gram EPA in krill vs.180 mg/gram in fish oil.

EPA is one of the principal omega-3 fatty acids. Yet, the body has a limited ability to manufacture it.

8/29/10 14:25 JR