Exercise takes many forms, varying from person to person. From dedicated athletes and bodybuilders to frequent and even infrequent gym goers, the sports nutrition market is on the move, rapidly changing to meet the needs of every type of active lifestyle. Personalized nutrition is not new; in fact, it’s a topic that continues to reign. The “one size fits all” approach is out. Consumers can choose from tailor-made products and programs that fit their needs and preferences, and that is true for the sports nutrition space.
Consumers (and athletes) are savvier when it comes to supplements, and they are becoming more educated on nutritional values, ingredient makeup and dosage rates. Companies that operate in the natural products space need to innovate regularly and offer invaluable and unique products. Standing out in the heavily saturated sports nutrition market is not easy. The sports nutrition market is competitive.
Omega-3s are essential for maintaining and supporting cardiovascular,1 brain,2 eye,3 and more,4 but they also provide health benefits for sports nutrition. Having optimal omega-3 levels (8 percent or higher as assessed by the Omega-3 Index method) is particularly important for athletes since they are already at higher risks for health issues due to their intense physical activity.5
Krill oil power
Omega-3 supplements are plentiful in today’s market, but krill oil, an increasingly popular option, is a unique omega-3. Krill oil is gentler on the stomach and doesn’t produce fishy burps like other omega-3 options.6 Combined with a better delivery method, the bio-efficiency and stability of krill oil supplements allow for smaller, easier to swallow pills with less daily dosage requirements.
Krill oil comes from the Southern Ocean and occupies a low level in the food chain. It is also minimally processed and doesn’t contain additives or preservatives.
From a health benefits standpoint, krill oil is an interesting omega-3 option because its fatty acids are largely bound to phospholipids, which are integral to the body’s cells and cell membranes. Phospholipids are structurally different than omega-3 triglycerides, which are found in fish and algal oils, and this difference is crucial because it dictates how eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are delivered in the body. Omega-3s that are carried by triglycerides require a conversion in the liver to enter the bloodstream, according to Dr. Anne Carol Goldberg, professor of medicine, Washington University in St. Louis. Krill oil’s omega-3s, on the other hand, enter the bloodstream directly by phospholipids, speeding their availability for use in the body.
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