BENEFITS OF KRILL OIL
VS FISH OIL
BENEFITS OF KRILL OIL
VS FISH OIL
Some of the arguments between krill oil and fish oil stems from the fact that fish oil contains more EPA and DHA than krill oil. A wide array of studies have shown many health benefits to Omega-3 fatty acids. However, one must take into consideration that the Omega 3’s in krill oil are stored on phospholipids, which increase the availability of Omega-3’s to the body. So although krill oil has lower levels of Omega-3’s than fish oil, when taking their bioavailability into consideration, research has shown that krill and fish oil are comparable sources of Omega-3 fatty acids.
Both fish and krill oil contain the antioxidant knows as astaxanthin. The role of antioxidants such as astaxanthin are to help clear the body from free radicals. Free radicals are known to cause damage to the body and speed up the aging process. While some free radicals arise naturally during metabolism, they are also caused by poor diet and environmental factors. If you are ever exposed to pollution, radiation, herbicides or cigarette smoke, then chances are your body is fighting against free radical damage. It is often suggested that krill oil contains higher amounts of astaxanthin than fish oil. So if you are looking to boost antioxidant intake, krill oil may be a better choice. In addition, it is speculated that a higher amount of astaxanthin will keep the krill oil fresher and less likely to experience oxidative damage.
One of the more well-known, major health benefits to fish oil supplementation is its benefit on cholesterol levels. One study of krill oil found that it was more effective than fish oil in improving cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and blood glucose. Another study stated that in the management of hyperlipidemia (which is the increase in the amount of fat - such as cholesterol - in the blood), supplementing daily with 1-3g of krill oil can be significantly more effective than taking 3g of EPA/DHA in fish oil.
The benefits of krill oil are not limited to heart health, however. In a clinical trial performed at the University Health Network in Toronto, krill oil was shown to be beneficial in aiding people with arthritis. Supplementing with krill oil was associated with reducing pain, stiffness and the loss of function in participants. Other studies have shown that krill oil is more effective in decreasing symptoms of PMS. So although fish oil may currently be in the spotlight, krill oil may be the future.
Whether you choose to supplement with fish oil or krill oil, it is imperative that you purchase quality supplements that are free from heavy metals, such as mercury. The best fish oil products are those that are pharmaceutically and molecularly distilled. By distilling the oil, heavy metals are removed. You may also consider reading the ingredient labels to see what type of fish was used to make the oils. Krill oil will be less likely to be contaminated with heavy metals as the Antarctic krill is not as exposed to heavy metal contamination. Fish highest in mercury – ones that should be avoided most often - are marlin, orange roughy, tile, sword, shark, king mackerel and tuna (bigeye and ahi).
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Written by:
Jeremy Michael, Lucky Vitamin
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