According to the Canadian company, the therapeutic and risk reduction claims follow two years of review of its safety and clinical research data and will help to reinforce its position in the krill market.
“The NKO approved claims are competitive when compared to the already approved claims for fish oils since not only have they been accepted at significantly much lower doses, but they also offer more specific health benefits in cardiovascular, joint and women health,” said André Godin, CFO of Neptune Technologies & Bioressources.
NeptuneKrill Oil (NKO), a lipid derived from the planktonic family of crustacean, is rich in omega-3 as well as phospholipids and antioxidants. It was originally launched at the end of 2003 for the North American supplements market, where it has already established a strong presence.
NKO health claims
The approved claims are:
- Cardiovascular health:
- Helps to reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol (in conjunction with conventional statin therapy): 2 softgels (1g) per day
- Helps to increase the levels of HDL cholesterol (in conjunction with conventional statin therapy): 2 softgels (1g) per day
- Helps to reduce the levels of triglycerides (in conjunction with conventional statin therapy): 4 softgels (2g) per day
2. Inflammation:
- Helps to reduce C-reactive protein levels, a clinical marker of inflammation: 1 softgel (0.5g) per day
- Helps to reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis: 1 softgel (0.5g) per day
3. Women’s Health:
- Helps to relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS): 4 softgels (2g) per day
- Helps to relieve symptoms of dysmenorrhea: 4 softgels (2g) per day
To view a full list of the approved claims, click here.
Omega-3 claims
In June 2009 Health Canada approved health claims for omega-3, including a claim that products providing 1g - 3g EPA and DHA, per day help to reduce serum triglycerides.
Dr Wael Massrieh, Neptune director of R & D explained that this is equivalent to 3-10g of fish oil per day, or 6-20 softgels, compared to four NKO softgels recently approved for the same indication.
He added that “contrary to fish oil, Health Canada approved a stronger claim for NKO for cholesterol with a decrease of LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase of HDL (good cholesterol) using only two softgels per day as well as an anti-inflammatory claim using only one softgel per day and a specific claim for premenstrual syndrome (PMS).”