As I navigate life’s constantly changing road map, every crossroad constantly reminds me to be vigilant. Take the wrong path and I could be headed for dangerous territory. Choose the right one, and the rewards and benefits could be plentiful. That is why decisions about my health and nutrition are so important to me. Making the wrong choices could be life threatening. All around us we see the signs of this everyday we travel life’s hopefully long and winding road. We all have seen someone close to us stricken with cancer or some other type of chronic illness. Heart disease and strokes are silent killers lurking around every corner. It doesn't’t have to be this way for everyone. You need to arm yourself with the weapons to fight these foes and avoid the pitfalls of making bad decisions when it comes to your health.

About ten years ago I decided to make a change and take a healthier path in my life. I changed my eating habits and started to exercise more regularly. My diet had not been strict enough and I was always feeling tired and stressed. I began taking vitamin supplements as a result, and over time, noticed an improvement in the way I felt. I started my morning with a multivitamin and a fish oil product with vitamin D3. I have been taking them daily and have researched other supplements and added them in gradually. I was introduced to a product last year which has really had an impact on lowering my cholesterol.

Krill Oil is an extract of the Antarctic krill which contains unique phospholipids rich in Omega-3 (EPA DHA) fatty acids. Krill are crustaceans which feed on phytoplankton. Antarctic krill oil contains Omega 3, a fatty acid which is believed to benefit brain function and lower LDL and cholesterol, which is the reason for its popularity as a nutritional supplement. Krill oil contains an antioxidant called astaxanthin. This antioxidant has been shown to protect our body's cells from damage due to free radicals. These free radicals are thought to contribute to certain chronic diseases.

I was a little skeptical at first. I thought I could get the same benefits from fish oil. Why would I need to take something that isn’t as readily available to me? I started to research and found that both products can give you most of the same benefits, but krill oil’s advantage is higher amounts of antioxidants than in fish oil. Krill oil doesn't cause those fishy burps or any unpleasant aftertaste, which is a common side effect with fish oil. In addition, only krill oil contains astaxanthin, fish oil does not. Sure you can get products that may add this powerful ingredient, but you will pay more for it. Unlike many other antioxidants, astaxanthin crosses the blood-brain barrier and could theoretically protect the central nervous system from free radical damage. In addition, it is absorbed into the blood stream faster than fish oil.

Krill oil is being studied as a natural remedy for lowering LDL and cholesterol. In one study, which used Neptune krill oil, 120 people were given krill oil, fish oil or placebo. Neptune reduced LDL, referred to as "bad" cholesterol, by 34% and increased HDL, "good" cholesterol, by 43% compared to the placebo. In comparison, fish oil reduced LDL cholesterol by 4% and increased HDL cholesterol by 4%. Krill oil also lowered the triglycerides of these participants. It is clinically validated to help men and women manage these blood lipids. Preliminary research suggests this antioxidant may help reduce symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, however, more research is needed. A study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition examined 300 mg daily compared to a placebo and found that it was effective at reducing arthritis symptoms and inflammation. There are some side effects that some people may encounter. As with all supplements, you should consult your doctor before taking anything. Side effects of krill oil may include loose stools, diarrhea or indigestion in some people. People with seafood and shellfish allergies shouldn't use krill oil. People with bleeding disorders shouldn't use krill oil unless under the supervision of a qualified health care professional. People taking any type of blood thinners, anticoagulants, anti-platelet medications, should only use Krill oil under the supervision of their physician.

Life’s road is full of dangerous twists and turns. Read the signs along the way and use the advice of your health practitioners to guide you on the passage. Get plenty of exercise and don’t deprive yourself of the benefits of sleeping at least 7 hours a day. Make good decisions for your health along the way and most of all, enjoy your journey.