New data published in PLoS One suggests krill oil consumption may support healthy immune function after exercise.

Thirty-seven healthy young men and women took either 2 g/day of krill oil or a placebo for 6 weeks. Exercise and cycling tests were completed and blood samples were taken before and after supplementation at rest as well as immediately, one and three hours after exercise.

Researchers found PBMC IL-2 production and natural-killer (NK) cell cytotoxic activity increased  three hours after exercise in the krill oil group. Study coordinator Dr. Stuart Gray from the University of Glasgow in Scotland, stated, "NK cells are the first line of defense, reacting quickly to threats such as bacteria and viruses to keep them under control until the antigen-specific immune system responds. Their activity can be decreased by up to 60% for several hours after extended exercise. Krill oil might therefore help to increase host protection after intense exercise."

The source material used in this study was Superba Krill oil from Aker BioMarine.

Published on WholeFoods Magazine Online, 10/27/15