Omega-3s’ EPA and DHA found in Krill oil have been shown to support healthy blood pressure and heart rhythm, plus long-term heart health. For optimizing healthy cholesterol and decreasing triglycerides, research suggests krill oil has an edge. One 12-week study published in the journal Lipid Technology looked at 120 people with high cholesterol and high triglycerides and found those taking 1.5 grams of krill oil per day had significantly healthier blood pressure. The krill oil group also saw measured benefits, with improvements upon cholesterol and triglycerides levels. Still not convinced? Krill oil offers these additional benefits:
- No Fish Burps: Because omega-3s from phospholipids are water-soluble, they don’t pool on top of the stomach — prompting reflux and fishy aftertaste — like some fish oil supplements.
- Small Dose, Big Impact: Omega-3s from krill are used more efficiently in the body than some other sources. A 2009 study found that when 48 people took 100 mg of EPA/DHA for 112 days, those getting it from krill oil saw their omega-3 Index (a measure of levels in red blood cells) jump 67 percent, 2.5 times as much as those getting it from other sources. Another study looked at 113 people over seven weeks and found that those taking krill oil could take 543 mg of omega-3 DHA and EPA from krill oil and get a comparable improvement in blood levels as those taking 864 mg of DHA/EPA from fish oil.
- Antioxidant Power of Astaxanthin: Krill is loaded with the reddish-orange antioxidant astaxanthin. Shown to be 300 times more potent than vitamins E and A, astaxanthin helps protect cell membranes from free-radical damage and also serves as a natural preservative in krill oil, keeping it fresher longer.
- Contains Choline: Choline is a key building block for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which helps support memory and communication between brain cells and may reduce the risk of breast and colorectal cancer. Because choline is typically found in beef, liver, and chicken, those who don’t consume a lot of meat often lack it.
- Lower in Omega-6: While fish oil tends to contain some omega-6 fats (pro-inflammatory fats which, in excess can counteract the benefits of omega-3s), krill oil contains almost none.
