Krill ....the latest discovery, or, the next upset in the food chain

       Everywhere recently, you see advertisements advising the taking of krill. Touted, as the latest, most beneficial supplement. The best fish oil for our health, it's said, to be far improved from ordinary fish oil. I think we all know about the benifits of ingesting fish oils, it's the good oil, the omega 3 we need for our health. The free radicals, the cure, if you like, or the dumbing down of the bad fats already eaten, the harm already done. The form of trans fats making up the many forms of hydrogenised oils available. This blend, or altered fat, is found in many grain based foods today, particularly baked foods, to improve their shelf life. Also used as frying oils, in restaurants or fast food outlets. As well as the basis for margarine, butter substitutes, and other alternative fats.

        Basically, hydrogenised oil, is vegetable oils, blended with hydrogen. Sometimes found in non modified foods, like butter, cream, and dairy in general, and meats, chicken, or beef. Although, many believe these to be less harmful, and/or smaller doses than in the man made versions. Eating these bad fats, can, and does result in a build up of cholesterol within our arteries. This build up of the trans fats, causes narrowing, or hardening of the arteries. Eventually causing strokes, and heart attacks we all know, are some of the biggest killers of modern man.

         Because of publicising the effects of the manufactured food, on the body, there has recently been a big swing back to natural butter, for spreads, and cooking. We all know how tasty butter rich, and cream enriched food tastes. Yet, we must also remember moderation in all things, is always a good maxim, not to overdo indulging in anything. However, it is much better to forgo as many manufactured, and baked goods as we can, all, if at all possible. These foods, have become normal, something we need to reverse, for our health.

          Yes we know, we need to eats lots of fresh, or even tinned, oily fish. Failing this, to take some good supplements. Up until recently, these capsules were manufactured from fish. Using omega 3, the fatty acids in the form of triglycerides. This was a good source of the good fats, the natural antioxidant, in fish oil. Now, some company (many companies?) have come up with a way to use Krill for the same purpose. Krill is the small shrimp like, plankton, found all around the seas of the world, in varying quantities. It's the soup of the sea. It's at the base of the food chain, primarily a food for whales, seals, penguins, squid and fish. If it were seriously depleted, it would cause major devestation amongst wildlife, and ultimately to man.

          So far, though, it's availability, and popularity grows apace. It's publicised as the fish oil without the fishy after taste, as five times stronger than normal fish oil, more easily absorbed, and sustainable. Not only does it carry only omega 3, but astaxanthin, protecting better against free radical damage, and, it is whispered..ageing! It is pollution free, with no build of heavy metals as fish, like tuna can have. As well as a two year shelf life, something always advantageous to big business.

          Now, I am not a scientist, a doctor, or any kind of academic in the scientific sense. I am not even a dietician. Only an ordinary teacher, turned writer, more spiritual than academic, I think. Also, a long time advocate of keeping fit, eating as well as you can, and yes, taking supplements. So, of course, you can dismiss all of this as the latest ravings of my brain. I have been interested in food, and nutrition for many years, and investigated, ok...tried, almost every diet known to man. I know all the arguments, about such synthetic additives passing through the body, mostly unused, and more recently, of unscrupulous manufactures selling dummy vitamins, minerals, and even medicines. Anything goes when it comes to making money it seems.which is what worries me with krill.

        I must admit, my antennae went up when I first heard of krill become commercial. So much of what we rely on in the seas has been depleted. So many animals, and natural wonders now extinct, or almost so. Almost inevitably because we, they, those people making money from them, or wanting to benifit from eating them or taking them, (like us) did not think they were in any danger. Or, did they, we, question the outcome at all?

         Now, reading whatever articles I could find, in order to more fully understand the way of transfats, free radicals, omega 3, and the sustainability of krill, I see more questions, than answers. It's not unfair to  say, that those trumpeting the loudest, about it being impossible to overfish krill, are those selling it. A few voices are raised in the other direction, of caution. An odd one or two, trying to be unbiased, also give the facts, which, to me, are worrying.

           Of course, I want to take it, I have some creaky joints in this damp, I want something to reverse the damage of years on my body, and I want arteries unclogged by cholesterol. All I urge is, investigate before you join in the free for all of skimming such a basic building block from the seas. Type 'krill' into Google, and you will be surpised how much there is out there, on the subject.

           As  I said, I'm a dyslexic, non genius, but thinking member of this planet. I just don't want to be in any way responsible for the demise of any part of it.

           It makes fascinating reading, I think I have the facts correct of how it all works. But if I have made mistakes, then the fault is mine, because as always, I am trying to put into words, something I think may be crossing the minds, of more than just me.

           I found this good site: but there are many...

#supplement-geek.com/krill-oil-fish-oil-krill-oil-benefits-side-affects/ 

           So, before you buy krill, please check it out.