What is Krill Oil and is it really good for you?

Healthy oils. Good fat. Years ago it was oxymorons. We now know that natural compounds in some oils and fats-like are omega-3 fatty acids and mononensaturated fats-have several health benefits. You may have heard some buzz about Krill oil, or claim it is better for fish oil. Here’s what you need to know.

What is Krill Oil?

Like fish oil, which is derived from fish, krill oil is extracted from krill, shrimp crustacean. Krill eats the diet of sea plants that contain omega-3 fatty acids, such as algae, so they become the source of omega-3.

“Omega-3 fatty acids may come in different forms, but generally we are most familiar with EPA (eicosapentaenic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenic acid),” says Kasey HutchinsonRDN, a registered dietologist based in Montana. “Research shows that Krill Oil is slightly. higher in omega-3 fatty acids (compared to fish oil). ”

How much omega-3 do you need daily?

National healthcare institutions (NIH) report that adequate daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids is 1.6 g per day for men and for women 1.1 g per day.

What is better: krill oil or fish oil?

Omega-3 content

Studies indicated that complementing your diet Omega-3 can support Cardiovascular health, Common healthand skin health. But it is too early to say whether Krill oil is better than fish oil when providing omega-3.

Some studies found out that krill oil could increase the level of omega-3 in the blood better than fish oil. Another study In this respect, they found no difference between krill oil and fish oil.

So what are the main differences between them?

EPA and DHA in krill oil are found in phospholipids that are structurally different from omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, which are in the form of triglycerides or ethylesters. (All three are substances similar to fats.) Some studies suggest that phospholipids are better when delivering EPA and DHA. However, the data are far from being convincing, Scientists say.

Antioxidants

Krill oil contains astaxanthin, an antioxidant compound that is usually in fish oil is usually missing. This carotenoid (type Phytonutrient) It is what gives salmon its red color, and therefore Krill Oil Capsules are dark red, while fish oil capsules are more gold.

Nutritional experts that we eat a lot of fruits and vegetables to gain the benefits of carotenoids (including eye health). However, there are no studies that show that Krill Oil directly provides these benefits.

Costs

Krill oil is also more expensive than fish oil, partly because of how it is produced. “Krill Oil is more environmentally friendly than most fish oil,” Hutchinson says. “This is an important consideration for our current day and the age at which our sea temperatures rise and the oceans are excessively relieved and contaminated.”

What are the potential side effects of using krill oil supplements?

• As with fish oil, you can experience the Burps fish taste while using Krill oil. Some formulations claim to remove it.
• Some people can also experience Gastrointestinal upsetAs a sour reflux or diarrhea, when using fish oil due to its high fat content.
• Krill oil can cause reactions in people who are allergic to molluscs or seafood.

As always, talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement.