Krill Oil Benefits to Support Your Health Goals

Krill Oil is a source of EPA and DHA, two essential Omega-3 Fatty Acids found in Krill and fatty fish like salmon and tuna. The American Heart Association recommends a minimum of two servings  of oily fish per week, but many American diets do not include regular servings of oily fish.[1] In fact, over two-thirds of U.S. adults do not consume enough EPA and DHA in their daily diets to meet recommendations based on the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans.[2] Many Americans look to Omega-3 Supplements like Krill Oil to bridge these possible nutrient gaps.

What is Krill Oil?

So, what exactly is Krill Oil? And, for that matter, what exactly is a "krill"? Krill are tiny shellfish, very similar to shrimp, that live in giant swarms in the Antarctic Ocean. Though not as common a party appetizer as their larger cousins, Krill paste is a part of many Southeast Asian diets, where the tiny shellfish are ground and fermented into a tasty, savory flavoring.

An alternative to Fish Oil, Krill Oil is sourced from these small shellfish, which are rich in heart-healthy Omega-3 Fatty Acids EPA and DHA. The Krill collect EPA and DHA in their fatty tissue by consuming even tinier microalgae that produce Omega-3 Fatty Acids. So now that we know what Krill are, what Krill Oil is, here comes the big question: is Krill Oil good for you? Yes, but to fully answer that, let's get into the benefits.†

Krill Oil Benefits

Krill Oil is a source of the Omega-3s EPA and DHA that help support a healthy heart.†

If you are comparing it to Fish Oil, Krill Oil has distinctive benefits that arise from its unique structure. In Krill Oil, much of the EPA and DHA is bound to phospholipids, a type of fat that contains a phosphate group. This phospholipid structure might influence the absorption of EPA and DHA; the effects of higher phospholipid content in krill oil in relation to absorption have been clinically studied.[3] In addition, studies have found krill oil to have a higher 72-hour bioavailability than fish oil.[4]†

Why choose Nature Made® for Krill Oil?

Gluten-free and with no added colors, Nature Made® Superior Absorption** Krill Oil comes in one daily softgel, which provides 500 mg of Antarctic Krill Oil sustainably sourced from wild-caught Krill. These softgels give your body 120 mg of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in each serving, with no fishy aftertaste or odor! Nature Made® Krill Oil has superior absorption of Omega-3 Fatty Acids when compared to an equal amount of EPA+DHA from regular triglyceride fish oil, however, the amount of EPA and DHA in krill oil is significantly less than fish oil. In addition to these Omega-3s, our Krill Oil is a source of Phospholipids and Astaxanthin, a naturally occurring carotenoid with antioxidant properties that gives Krill Oil its red color. When you go with Nature Made®, you're choosing the #1 Pharmacist Recommended Vitamin & Supplement Brand.*†

Are Krill Oil and Fish Oil the Same?

Krill Oil and Fish Oil may have some similar properties, but they are distinct from each other in many ways. The first difference, unsurprisingly, is where they come from! Fish Oil is processed from fatty or oily fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, and anchovies, which build up Omega-3 Fatty Acids EPA and DHA in their fatty tissues through the consumption of Omega-3-producing microalgae or smaller fish that have consumed those microalgae. Krill Oil also contains EPA and DHA, which the Krill accumulate by consuming similar microalgae.

Another key difference revolves around Krill Oil's previously mentioned Phospholipid structure, which might influence the absorption of EPA and DHA.[3] When it comes to bioavailability, Krill Oil may have the upper hand; studies have found it to have a higher 72-hour bioavailability than Fish Oil.[4] Though it has higher bioavailability, the amount of DHA and EPA in krill oil is significantly lower than in fish oil.

Fish Oil also has benefits, which stem from the wide options available in Fish Oil Supplements that may not yet be available for Krill Oil. Nature Made® Fish Oil comes in several dosage sizes and form factors; for a tasty dose, try Fish Oil Gummies in delicious strawberry, orange, and lemon flavors. Fish Oil is also often available in larger doses than Krill Oil, such as Ultra Omega-3 from Fish Oil 1400 mg Softgels, which provide a total of 1000 mg of heart healthy Omega-3 Fatty Acids, including 683 mg of EPA, 252 mg of DHA, and 65 mg of other Omega-3s as Ethyl Esters.

When it comes down to it, the choice between Krill Oil and Fish Oil is determined by your particular needs. It's best to look at your options and pick the right supplement for you.

How Much Krill Oil Per Day?

Nature Made® recommends 1 Krill Oil softgel per day with water and a meal, providing 500 mg of Krill Oil with 120 mg of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, 200 mg of Phospholipids, and 150 mcg of Astaxanthin. By giving your body a daily dose of EPA and DHA, you're taking a step to help support a healthy heart. If you want to know how much fish oil you should take per day, find the answers here!†

* Based on a survey of pharmacists who recommend branded vitamins and supplements.

 **Superior omega-3 fatty acid (EPA + DHA) absorption compared to an equal amount of EPA + DHA from regular triglyceride fish oil.

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

References

1. Office of dietary supplements - Omega-3 Fatty Acids. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Jul 18, 2022. Accessed Oct 27, 2023. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/
2. USDA. Dietary Guidelines for Americans: 2020-2025. December 2020. Accessed on: Oct 27, 2023. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/202103/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans-2020-2025.pdf
3. Ramprasath VR, Eyal I, Zchut S, Shafat I, Jones PJ. Supplementation of krill oil with high phospholipid content increases sum of EPA and DHA in erythrocytes compared with low phospholipid krill oil. Lipids Health Dis. 2015;14:142. Published 2015 Nov 4. doi:10.1186/s12944-015-0142-y
4. Köhler A, Sarkkinen E, Tapola N, Niskanen T, Bruheim I. Bioavailability of fatty acids from krill oil, krill meal and fish oil in healthy subjects--a randomized, single-dose, cross-over trial. Lipids Health Dis. 2015;14:19. Published 2015 Mar 15. doi:10.1186/s12944-015-0015-4