So what is so special about Krill oil?
Krill, (Euphausia superba) are small crustaceans that resemble shrimp and are found in all oceans, but are most abundant in the Antarctic. Its name comes from the Norwegian word meaning ‘young fry of fish’. Krill are rich in omega 3 oil and found in swarms so large that they can actually be seen from satellites in outer space. Scientists consider them the largest ‘biomass’ known in the sea.
Omega-3 oil is crucial for all vital processes in the body and are referred to as Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s). We cannot produce them in our body, so it has to come from our diet or supplementation. Omega-3 oil has been shown to be effective for supporting a wide variety of health conditions including; balancing blood pressure and arrhythmias, helping lower cholesterol levels, soothing inflammation, helping with joint pain and stiffness, improving brain function, concentration and memory, ADD and ADHD and PMS.
There are 2 forms of EFA’s – omega-3 and omega-6. Omega-3’s are found mainly in seafood (fish and krill oil), and omega-6’s from plants. Unfortunately in today’s western diet we consume too much processed food – resulting in a much higher intake of omega-6 than omega-3 – this throws the correct ratio out of balance and results in chronic illness’s like heart disease, diabetes and obesity to name just a few. This means it is more important than ever to increase our daily intake of omega-3s.
What’s so unique about Krill oil’s its omega-3 is delivered to the body in a phospholipid form, whereas fish oil is in a triglyceride form.
Krill oil is soluble in water and doesn’t require bile to break it down, and because the oil mixes easily with stomach contents, it reduces any reflux or nausea people often experience with fish oil. Fish oil is insoluble in water and requires bile to break down the oil, therefore anyone with a weaker digestive system or liver or gallbladder problems may have problems utilizing fish oil.
Studies show that Krill oil is also extremely well absorbed by the body. Every cell in your body requires phospholids as key building blocks to make up your cell membranes. The membrane controls what goes in and out of each cell, much like a gate keeper. Krill oil ensures that the gate function will be smoother, allowing more effective delivery of nutrients to the cell. Poor cell membranes = poor functioning cells = disease. Fatty acids from krill oil are absorbed by the brain, heart and liver more efficiently than fatty acids from triglycerides (fish oil). This explains why you require a lot less krill oil than fish oil to achieve the same result even though the EPA & DHA may be significantly less than fish oil.
Krill oil is also a beautiful red colour because it contains naturally occurring Astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant. Krill is the only known animal species that contains Astaxanthin. Astaxanthin from krill oil is 100% absorbable (unlike plant forms) so is easily able to attack free radicals, which helps reduce cell damage and disease.
Remarkably Krill is considered to be one of the most sustainable marine resources. It is tightly regulated and monitored by the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). This international organization has been set up to prevent depletion of krill and any impact on krill predators. So far, the current catch levels of krill are around 4% per annum of the total allowable catch quota – making it the most under commercially exploited fishing to date. Even the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) support the regulations and quotas set by the CCAMLR (whose priorities are in maintaining the Antarctic ecosystem and its marine life). See this link – The World Wildlife Fund talking positively about Krill Sustainability. This is very unusual for the WWF to speak so positively about a marine industry: http://www.nutraingredients.com/On-your-radar/Omega-3/WWF-on-krill-World-s-largest-under-exploited-fishery
Antarctic krill live in a naturally clean environment free of pollution, so there is significantly less risk of heavy metal contamination making it the cleanest and safest form of omega-3.
Lynley Baker
Naturopath
Good Health Products
HealthPost have new Good Health Red Super Krill 1000 high-strength Krill Oil on sale now for just NZ $52.00 (NZ RRP $74.90). Order yours today!
Visit our sister-site, HealthPost.com.au, to order Krill Oil in Australia.
We’d Love Your Feedback
Have you tried krill oil yet?
What is your experience of krill oil vs fish oil?
Few people realise the benefits of krill oil, which is probably why there are abundant stocks. Now it is being more widely advertised the demand will increase and history will repeat it self as it has with all other fish stocks. Regulations haven’t always worked (hence Japanese continue to kill whales in spite of the rules against it) so I fear krill might suffer the same fate. As krill are a vital source of food to many fish and whales, I fear for them too.
Thanks for your comment Lynda. To some extent, we share your concerns. While we’ve looked into this to the point of being satisfied that the current level of harvesting of krill is very likely to be sustainable, we also fully appreciate that over-exploitation of marine ‘resources’ by humans is very much the current global norm. We’ll certainly try and keep abreast of this concern and intend to seek info from our suppliers on the sustainability of their krill oil products on an ongoing basis. As well as its vital role in the marine ecosystem, krill oil offers some pretty significant benefits to human health. Here’s hoping that we’re collectively maturing to the point where that means we’re willing to ensure its ongoing sustainability. We’re currently ‘cautiously optimistic’. We’d welcome any further comments. Cheers, Abel
Some additional findings on krill oil sustainability have just emerged. Again, we’re ‘cautiously optimistic’ and will endeavour to stay abreast of this as things develop.
I have been taking them for about 3 weeks. The difference in my health and wellbeing is amazing. My memory is 100% better than it was. I wake each morning full of energy. I havent changed anything else in my life so it must be the Krill oil. I have ordered some for my mum and I also have my partner starting on it. Thanks for making it available.
Hi Tania, thanks for your feedback: that’s just incredible! It’s so great to hear that you’re experiencing such positive change from taking the krill oil! Keep us posted
) Cheers, Candy
Hi
Can you please explain the difference between Super Krill Oil 750 and the new Red Super Krill Oil 1000. I understand the 1000 indicates higher potency but is there any other difference?
Thanks, Tom.
Hi Tom, thanks for your query. Yes, you are right, the only difference between the two is the potency. Super Krill 750 has 750mg of krill oil per capsule, whereas Red Super Krill 1000 provides 1000mg of krill oil per capsule. Cheers, Candy
Hi Just wondering how do you know what dosage to take as all bottles say take one capsule no matter whether its 500, 750 or 1000mg. I am 60kg and my husband is 100kg so what would be best for each of us? The kids are about 20kg at 4 and 6 yrs. So how much per person? Thanks
Hi Kim … yes, it can be confusing. I think it depends on what you want to take it for. If you have specific health needs (eg arthritis) then you probably want to take the higher dosage.
Good Health offers two super krill products (750mg & 1000mg). Their Naturopathic representative suggests:
One per day for adults if it is being used as a maintenance dose for Omega 3 – no matter on the weight difference. However if using it for specific reasons eg: arthritis, then the dose can be up to 2 per day (either 750 or 1000mg)
Should you be taking it for more specific reasons and want personal instructions, we suggest you contact a Registered Health Practitioner in your area – as the metabolism of each person is totally unique and maybe your body weight may come into this.
For children there would be no harm in them taking this amount of Omega 3 as a maintenance dose, however these are big pills and a 4 or 6 year old may struggle in swallowing them . Should you consider squeezing the oil out, they advise that it is a strong smelling oil and would doubtfully be tolerated by children.
So for the children, our advice here at HealthPost would be to use Nordic Naturals Childrens DHA – chewable with a great strawberry flavour. Great for kids to have an enjoyable experience taking supplements!
I hope this helps Kim.
cheers, Anya
Hi,
Is Krill Oil (750mg) good for brain function or just for arthritis?
Thanks for your question Ian, Here’s the reply from Lynley at Good Health Products: “Krill oil is a type of Omega 3 oil. Omega 3 oil helps support; Joint health, Heart health and Brain health. What is so unique about krill oil? The omega-3 in Krill oil is in a phospholipid form. Fish oil is in a triglyceride form. The phospholidid form means that it is more easily absorbed and utilized in the body whether it be for joint, heart or brain health.” So in summary, an easily absorbed, good all rounder Omega 3 source. I hope this helps with your research Ian. We have an informative article in our HealthPost Library that might be also of interest for you; Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids Best wishes, Toni (HealthPost)
I am currently taking 3000mg of Omega 3 Fish oil each day. If I were to switch to Krill, what dosage should I take seeing it is more readily absorbed?
Hi Christine, Thanks for your inquiry. Our Naturopath suggests the following: A dose of krill oil 2/3rds of the amount of fish oil should see a similar effect; if you’re taking 3000mg of fish oil then you could substitute this with 2000mg of krill oil. That said, people have reported good results on just 1000mg of krill oil or less for arthritic conditions, memory improvement, better skin and even increased energy. Hope this helps with your research. Cheers, Toni (HealthPost)
My cholestrol is a bit on the high side and I would like to try Krill oil.I have just had my gall bladder removed and read that krill is better than fish if you have gall bladder problems.What strength would you suggest and how many a day.
Hi Lyn, Thanks for your inquiry. Here’s a reply from our naturopath: “I’m sorry to hear you’ve had surgery recently. Yes, I would certainly say that krill oil rather than fish oil would be better to take after you’ve had your gallbladder removed. This is simply because it is lower in fat, as it contains other components such as phospholipids and astaxanthin. You may know that you need to consume fats in small amounts after a cholecystectomy as bile is available in smaller amounts; therefore just take one of the krill capsules at a time. I’d suggest a lower dose of krill; either the 500mg or 750mg.” I hope this is helpful in your research Lyn. Toni (HealthPost)