Krill oil vs. fish oil: Which is healthier?

Overview

Krills are tiny crustaceans that look like shrimps. They live on the ocean floor. They serve as food for the large creatures in the deep seas. Since they are rich in many vital nutrients, krill oil is very beneficial. But so is fish oil! Fishes are more easily obtained and they too offer more or less the same nutrients as the krill. The debate naturally arises as to which is better – krill oil or fish oil.

Nutritional and health benefits of krill oil

The vast majority of health benefits that accrue from the usage of krill oil is because of the presence of three major components. These are Astaxanthin ( a strong anti-oxidant), Choline ( a phospholipid) and Omega fatty acids. The benefits they confer are listed below.

1. Krill oil is very effective in reducing inflammations and pains due to arthritis. Even if one is not prone to arthritis, it can help to reduce back pains and joint pains.
2. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the root cause of heart diseases. Krill oil lowers the levels of LDL cholesterol by about 34 percent and boosts HDL cholesterol by 43.5 percent.
3. It helps the brain function and thus improves cognition and memory.
4. A regular intake of krill oil is also known to help people with mood swings, mental disorders and depression.
5. The pains and symptoms of PMS can be relieved to a certain extent by it.
6. A common skin ailment due to fatty acid imbalance is eczema. Krill oil helps to prevent eczema and also results in soft and healthy skin.
7. Due to strong anti-oxidants that it contains, krill oil also helps the prevention of ageing.

Nutritional and health benefits of fish oil

Fish oil has its fair share of benefits to contribute. Let us consider them one by one.

1. Fish oil lowers the level of blood fat or triglycerides and thus helps to prevent cardiac strokes and arrhythmia of the heart.
2. It lowers the blood pressure and prevents hardening of arteries which further reduces the chances of heart attacks.
3. Fish oil too has anti-inflammatory properties that make it useful for patients with joint pains and problems like arthritis.
4. Fish oil is also recommended for morning stiffness.
5. It has been found to increase the life span of cells because of the anti-oxidants it contains.
6. Its anti-aging properties ensure that one has better sight for a longer time and it helps fight muscular degeneration.
7. It has been found to have beneficial effects on for pregnant women and also on unborn babies.
8. Fish oil increases the production of the protein LR1. This decreases the deposits of toxic ‘plaques’ and thus helps stave away Alzheimer’s disease.

What does the research say?

Research has made a lot of revelations. Fish oil reduces LDL cholesterol by a mere 4.6 percent and increases the HDL cholesterol by 4.2 percent. (the figures are 34 percent and 43.5 percent for krill oil.)

It has also been found that krill oil contains a greater amount of omega 3 fatty acids compared to fish oil. Thus, when a study was conducted on patients with chronic inflammation, krill oil proved to be superior and more effective than fish oil in fighting arthritis. In fact, just 300 mg of Neptune krill oil showed significant effects within 7-14 days.

Another study was conducted among women. Krill oil was found to be more effective in treating symptoms of PMS compared to fish oil. The same is the story when it comes with battling eczema. The same is the story when it comes to anti-aging properties! The research evidence is telling and compelling.

Why is krill oil better than fish oil?

In terms of the constituents, krill oil and fish oil seem to be very similar. The difference comes with the dosages. Since krill oil is more concentrated with the necessary nutrients, a smaller dose is required. Krill oil is also better equipped to deal with the problems. Fish oil is plagued by other problems too.

People often complain of the ‘fishy’ aftertaste and the burps that makes them feel horrible. Fish also carry the danger of possible mercury poisoning that is fatal in worst cases. On the other hand, krill oil neither leaves an after taste nor has the problems of mercury poisoning.

The bottom line

When we put things down on paper and make comparisons, krill oil definitely scores over fish oil. It is more effective and thus, required in smaller quantities and dosages. However, there is one problem with krill oil – its availability. Some studies say that the amount of krill in the Antarctic Ocean is fast diminishing due to climate changes. If that is the case, then the dependence will have to shift back on to fish oil, for krill oil will become rare and expensive!