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Why Is Krill Oil Good For You – With strict editorial sourcing guidelines, we only link to academic research institutions, reputable media servers, and when research is available, medically peer-reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
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Why Is Krill Oil Good For You
Many of us have heard about the benefits of fish oil, but emerging evidence suggests the opposite—its
Why I Started Taking Krill Oil With Astaxanthin
Benefits. That, plus its large capsule size and the fishy burp that comes with it, makes it a less than ideal choice for daily omega-3 fatty acid intake.
In this article, you’ll get answers to what krill oil is, the difference between krill oil and fish oil, and 6 reasons why krill is a better choice for optimal brain health.
Krill oil is a type of omega-3 fatty acid that comes from small shrimp-like crustaceans called krill. These creatures move in swarms (actually more than 10,000 krill per cubic meter of water) throughout the Antarctic Ocean and feed on microscopic algae while serving as a food source for various ocean dwellers including whales, penguins and seals.
Although they can be quite small (about 2 inches in length), krill form a key component of the ocean ecosystem. Krill literally means “whale food” in Norwegian and is therefore the main diet of most marine predators. So much so that it is referred to as the “foundation species” of the Southern Ocean.
Wild Red Krill Oil 500mg 100 Capsules
One of krill’s underrated superpowers is its extremely high levels of omega-3 fatty acids—especially DHA and EPA—two long-chain fatty acids that are essential for basic brain function (1).
In addition, krill oil supplementation has been shown to improve the following (1, 2, 3, 4):
Krill oil comes from krill, while fish oil comes from various fatty fish such as anchovies, mackerel and salmon.
Astaxanthin is what gives krill their reddish color and may benefit heart health due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (5).
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One 2004 study found that at the same and lower doses, krill oil was significantly more effective than fish oil in lowering glucose, triglycerides, and LDL (6).
Yes, krill oil is better than fish oil when it comes to omega-3 supplementation. But what makes it a healthier option?
Bioavailability is a term used to describe how much of a substance (in this case EPA and DHA) enters the circulatory system and is used by the body.
With every supplement or drug, some of what you consume is simply eliminated and your body doesn’t use it. Therefore, bioavailability is an important factor for nutritional supplements, as it indicates the actual effect the substance will have on the body.
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Studies have found that krill oil has a much higher bioavailability than fish oil, meaning your body can easily absorb krill oil more efficiently than fish oil (7).
Potency refers to how much of a substance is needed to achieve the desired effect. In the case of omega-3, the desired effect is the health benefits that they offer: Reduction of the risk of cardiovascular diseases, significant reduction of inflammation, improvement of depression symptoms and others (8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ).
A 2011 study found krill oil to be much more effective than fish oil. So much so that some participants received 63% less krill oil than fish oil. And those who took krill oil
While krill oil and fish oil have similar fatty acid profiles, the EPA content of krill is twice that of fish oil (7). This proves that you need much less krill oil than fish oil to achieve the same results (12).
Antarctic Krill Oil
Although polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are great for you, the very fact that they are unsaturated also makes them unstable.
There are many techniques that can prevent omega-3 oxidation, so it’s important that any omega-3 supplement you take comes from a reputable supplier.
Free radicals are small groups of unpaired atoms that float around your body, stripping electrons from stable molecules and causing diseases like atherosclerosis, inflammatory joint disease, diabetes, and more (13).
Research has found that krill oil is significantly more stable than fish oil for two reasons (14):
Triple Strength Antarctic Krill Oil Supplement 1200mg Per Serving 180 Softgels Source Of Natural Omega 3 Epa Dha And Astaxanthin Heart Health Supplement With No Fish Oil Aftertaste Mercury Free 180 Count (pack Of 1)
The EPA and DHA in fish oil are bound to triglycerides, while the EPA and DHA in krill oil are bound to phospholipids (7). This difference plays a significant role in how much your body absorbs.
So the omega-3s are in your body without the support of another substance to help bind them together. In krill oil, these substances are phospholipids. Unfortunately, fish oil does not have this added benefit, making it less absorbable and therefore less effective.
This is due to high levels of mercury. Because the fish in sushi are high on the food chain (meaning they eat a lot of small fish), they accumulate toxins and heavy metals. For this reason, it is recommended not to consume certain fish more than a few times a month. This is also why krill oil is a better source of omega-3 (15).
Krill oil has no problem with bioaccumulation of toxins and metals because krill is at the bottom of the food chain. Krill feed on phytoplankton instead of other contaminated fish, making them a much safer source of omega-3s.
Krill Oil: Benefits, Side Effects & Dosage |
This is because they do not dissolve in your stomach. Rather, they stay intact well in your intestines. Which means: No fish burp or aftertaste!
When it comes to krill oil supplementation, the recommended dosage is based on the amount of DHA and EPA found in the supplement.
Krill is a natural blood thinner. Therefore, if you are currently taking blood thinners, it is important to pay special attention to how much krill oil you consume, as this may be a contraindication. To be safe, start with a lower dose of krill oil, such as 500 milligrams (mg) (16).
This is a “maintenance dose” rather than a dose you might be prescribed in a clinical setting. For those without cardiovascular risk, it is safe (and perfectly healthy) to consume a combined dose of EPA and DHA between 250 and 500 mg, which can equate to 1,200 to 5,000 mg of krill oil, depending on the krill oil product. .
What Is Krill Oil: From Where You Should Buy It
Serving sizes between krill supplements vary greatly. So it’s important to talk to a healthcare professional before adding any new supplements to your wellness regimen.
Yes, you can take krill oil and fish oil together. However, if you were going to choose one supplement, krill oil may be the optimal choice due to its higher concentration of EPA (the omega 3 that gives krill its bright red pigment) and astaxanthin (a powerful antioxidant that reduces inflammation).
If you are going to take both together, make sure you only give the minimum recommended serving size so you don’t overload on omega 3.
Additionally, if you have any allergies to fish or shellfish, be careful and get your omega-3s from foods like walnuts, MCT oil, and pasture-raised eggs.
Krill Oil Vs Fish Oil: Which Is Better For You?
While you can get some omega-3s from eating fish and plants, the modern diet fails to contain enough omega-3s to make a significant impact on your health. So you’d be wise to consider adding an omega-3 supplement to your diet, especially one that’s high in brain-boosting DHA (like krill).
As a doctor of physical therapy, senior wellness expert and co-founder of the company, Dr. Walding millions of people to improve the quality of their lives from the inside out – by speaking, writing and educating others how to live life a little. more #OnThePath.
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to replace such advice or treatment by a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their physicians or qualified health professionals regarding specific health concerns. Dr. Neither Chad Walding nor the publisher of this content is responsible for the possible health consequences of any person or persons who read or follow the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physician before beginning any nutritional, supplement, or lifestyle program. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, with an estimated 18 million people dying from CVD each year
. Fortunately, up to 80% of CVD is preventable through positive lifestyle and behavioral habits, and nutritionally, omega-3 fatty acids are well known to play an important role.
Liver Health And Nafld? Learn More About Krill Oil Benefits
Omega-3s, some of the most studied molecules in the history of science, are important in the heart health market. Numerous studies over the years have shown the benefits of omega-3 for thousands of heart health patients, and some of these studies are behind some of the most popular heart health prescription products. Krill oil is a major player when it comes to heart health, and new research further validates decades of clinical studies in this area.
A new study, recently published in JAMA Network Open by Mozaffarian et al., showed that krill oil significantly
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