Krill Oil Vs. Fish Oil

Krill oil and fish oil capsules can be found at the same health food stores, and they cost about the same. However, there are specific benefits to each that should be considered based on your health needs.

What is Krill?

• Krill is a shrimp-like animal in the crustacean family that serves as food for sea life such as whales, seals and penguins. They only grow to be a few inches long, and they are caught commercially for use as bait and in aquariums.

Krill Oil

• Krill oil and fish oil and fish oil contain eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, which work against inflammation and slow the accumulation of plaque in the arteries. Unlike fish oil, however, krill oil contains astaxanthin -- a pigment krill have as a result of eating phytoplankton. Astaxanthin is an antioxidant.

Antioxidents

• Antioxidants are taken to protect our bodies from unstable molecules called free radicals. Astaxanthin blocks access of these free radicals to the brain, eyes and nervous system.

Fish Oil

• Fish oil, like krill oil, is taken for its omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil is similar to krill oil in that it has eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acids. Fish oil is sold as a dietary supplement in health food stores and grocery stores in the form of a gel capsule.

Why Some Prefer Krill Oil

• If you are interested in taking a regular antioxidant, then krill oil might be the best choice as it contains fewer calories. Fish oil capsules are approximately 150 to 160 calories per capsule. That may be too many extra calories if you are on a strict diet or trying to lose weight. Krill oil capsules contain only 10 calories. Additionally, the fishy odor or burping that can come with fish oil won't occur with krill oil.