The other day I received some samples of KrillOil.com*Not a vegan friendly supplement Krill Oil promises 48X the antioxidant activity over other fish oil supplements and no fishy-after burps. Well THAT’S a good thing.  I’m giving it a trial run since I’m currently out of my other Essential Fatty Acid supplement.

Essential Fatty Acids (otherwise known as EFA’s) are very important when we restrict our diets and we engage in hard workouts. “Essential” is the giveaway word.  It means our body needs it to be healthy and strong, yet can’t get all those essential nutrients from our diet.  We must supplement.  EFA’s  keep our cardiovascular (heart health), immune (fight infection), and musculoskeletal systems (nerve transmissions including memory, brain and bone function/strength) functioning properly.  They lubricate our joints and transport nutrients into the blood.  Again:  If you workout HARD, you need to take an EFA.

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Here’s a little more information on Krilloil.com.  If you want a high dose of Omega 3’s in one of the purest forms, you might want to check out Krill Oil.

Source: Wikipedia – Krill oil is made from a species of krill (shrimp-like marine crustaceans). The most important nutrients in krill oil are:  omega-3 fatty acids and  astaxanthin, an antioxidant.

A clinical study conducted at the University of Montreal using a branded krill oil concluded that it can significantly reduce dysmenorrhea and the emotional symptoms of PMS. Experts have also documented that other health benefits to using krill oil can include reducing arthritis pain, decreasing inflammation and raising the nutrient flow to the bloodstream.

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Source: Wellwise.org  2012 Krill Quota Update-Sustainability (always a concern when it comes to farming our oceans)

Total 2011/2012 quota for krill harvest in the oceans around Antarctica has been set at 5.61 million tons, which is the same as in 2010. The quota is well within the bounds of precautionary limits, according to CCAMLR (Commission For The Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources), the international convention for the protection of krill and other marine life in the Antarctic oceans.

According to Nina Jensen conservation director of the World Wildlife Fund (in an interview with NutraIngredients’ Shane Starling), the krill fishery is “the world’s largest underexploited fishery,” and from what we know now, is highly sustainable.

GUEST POST:  Beat Away the Winter Blues with Food

Author bio: Katie Brind’Amour is a fun and food-loving freelance writer, eating her way through winter and Columbus one delicious dish at a time. When she’s not writing about nutrition and women’s health for her blog or her clients, she’s busy whittling away at a PhD in Health Services Management and Policy or trying to find the perfect combination of red wine and cheddar cheese.

There is perhaps nothing more appealing than eating away my problems – preferably beating them into oblivion with cookies, truffles, ice cream, and barbecue potato chips. Especially during the winter, I have a non-stop craving for all things starchy, sweet, and delicious. Clearly, this can create a number of concerns (in addition to whatever problem I’m attempting to eat away!):

1. Unpleasant experiences on the bathroom scale

2. The need to shop for new and larger clothing (well, at least the shopping part isn’t too painful)

3. Frequent mood slumps even worse than when I began eating to fix them

The good news is that Mother Nature has provided a happy medium for those of us who like to use food like bandages: healthy and delicious foods that actually help improve mood. Yes, it’s true – they exist! The trick is to recognize the key ingredients in food and drinks that can boost your mood, improve mental function, and fill you with energy. These tips are especially useful during the winter, so read on to find out what you need to eat to combat the blues.

Foods with Benefits

Think of salmon as your new best friend. Like other fish, nuts, and vegetable oils high in healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, salmon can help improve your memory and general cognitive function. It may also boost the production of serotonin, which can regulate your mood, and balance your hormones, keeping frustration and depressive thoughts at bay.

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(Credit: nuchylee)

Eggs are a wonder-food. Not only do the whites provide protein and tons of other nutrients, but the yolk is packed with vitamins D, B12, and choline. Not only do eggs keep your hunger satisfied and keep you as productive and energized as possible, but they also stimulate the release of serotonin in the brain and enhance memory.

Bananas, often toted for their high potassium content, are also filled with essential vitamins and minerals for healthy brain function and adequate oxygenation of the brain. As an added benefit, bananas contain tryptophan, an amino acid that helps your brain release hormones to keep you calm and stress-free. The magnesium they contain can also reduce anxiety and help improve your sleep. No lie – when I first learned this I went to the store and bought the first bunch of bananas I had touched in years, and immediately felt the boost of energy from their natural sugars while waiting for the happiness buzz to kick in. They are pure fruity awesomeness.

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(Credit: patpitchaya)

The leafy green miracle-worker, spinach (and its pals, kale and chard), is a natural option for reducing fatigue and alleviating symptoms of depression with its folic acid and B vitamins. Not only can spinach and other dark leafy greens protect your brain from damaging chemicals that drain your energy and kill your mood, it can also help you manage stress and sleep soundly.

My dramatic uptake in turkey consumption around the holidays is now validated. The happy, relaxed feeling you get after carving the bird is no coincidence; it is chock full of amino acids that help boost hormone production. Its tryptophan calms your mind while its melatonin relaxes your body. Tyrosine is responsible for the eventual boost in stress management, energy levels, and mood after consuming turkey, as well as your brain’s uptick in norepinephrine and dopamine production (which improves reaction time and motivation). Sign me up!

Milk and whole grains. The variety of vitamins, minerals, and proteins in milk helps decrease levels of anxiety and frustration and boost your brain’s ability to utilize the other healthy brain-foods you are consuming. Whole grains and complex carbohydrates provide the energy your brain needs to function properly and enables your noggin to produce mood regulators such as serotonin, keeping you feeling calm and capable.

Walnuts are a killer snack. The combination of magnesium and healthy Omega-3 fatty acids in these nuts makes their addition to meals or munchies a no-brainer. The powerful nutrients in walnuts help ward off insomnia, irritability, anxiety, and depression. I am mentally assembling a spinach, salmon, and walnut salad. I have not yet decided whether to add bananas. That might stretch my brain-boosting attempts a bit too far.

Thankfully, there is a place for dark chocolate on this list. Not only do the antioxidants in dark chocolate keep your blood vessels healthy and happy (keeping them pumping plenty of oxygen to your brain), but it also provides a natural bump in energy and endorphins while sending phenylalanine to your brain. This amino acid helps promote the production of dopamine, which may help you feel motivated and contented.

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(Credit: Ambro)

Fun with Happy Foods

All in all, I am pleased to report that I actually enjoy many of the above-named foods. I have a feeling I will enjoy them even more now that I know what they can do for my mood, sleep, and energy levels. If there is no other happy thing to say about winter, it is comforting to know that I can eat my way out of its icy grip – at least emotionally!

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