When choosing an Omega-3 supplement, many people find themselves at the pharmacy asking, is krill oil the same as fish oil? If not, then what’s the difference?

It’s true that both supplements provide similar health benefits by delivering valuable Omega-3s to your body. However, krill and fish oil aren’t quite the same thing. In fact, krill oil is arguably superior to fish oil for a variety of health reasons. The big difference between krill oil and fish oil, from the perspective of whole body health, is that krill oil is more easily absorbed by the body than fish oil. This more efficient absorption trickles down to various health benefits that contribute to health and wellness.

Fish oil comes from the tissues of oily fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, and sardines. As a supplement, fish oil is packed with Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA. From your vision to your heart, both of these Omega-3s play an important role in your overall health.

If you don’t consume the recommended 8 ounces of seafood per week (like many who consume Western diets), then medical professionals recommend you supplement your diet with an Omega-3 supplement like fish oil or krill oil.

The Cons of Fish Oil: There are some concerns about the accumulation of toxins like mercury in the fish that are harvested for the fish oil and sustainability issues with overfishing. Not to mention, most fish oil supplements give you those unwanted fishy burps!

Krill oil comes primarily from Antarctic krill - tiny shrimp-like crustaceans - that gather in exceptionally large numbers during certain times of the year. Like fish oil, krill oil is packed with EPA and DHA Omega-3s. However, there are some additional health benefits to krill oil, including the addition of the astaxanthin antioxidant which has additional heart and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Although krill oil costs slightly more than fish oil, it doesn’t give you that fishy after-taste. It’s also been shown to absorb more quickly by the body, meaning you’ll need less supplement to get the recommended amount of nutrients. Cosmetically, it’s red in color, while fish oil is more of a golden color.

There are a few key differences to note between krill oil and fish oil. First, these supplements come from different creatures, even though they contain similar amounts of Omega-3s.

Even though both krill oil and fish oil have those healthy EPA and DHA fatty acids, one study showed that you only need about two-thirds the amount of krill oil to receive the same amount of Omega-3s found in fish oil. When you need less, you use less, which has a better impact on the environment (and your wallet).

Another major difference between krill oil and fish oil is the antioxidant astaxanthin. The addition of astaxanthin in krill oil is what gives the supplement its bright red color. While fish oil, mainly a golden color, doesn’t contain any astaxanthin.

Antioxidants reduce oxidative stress - or cell damage from free radicals - on the body. Free radicals have been known to cause cancer and inflammation. What makes astaxanthin special is that, unlike other antioxidants, it can destroy multiple free radicals at once. Furthermore, astaxanthin has also been shown to lower triglycerides and increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol, which brings even more heart health benefits than traditional fish oil.

Not to mention, krill oil may have better benefits for chronic inflammation than fish oil. People who took 1,000 mg of krill oil daily reported having improved inflammation markers than those who took 2,000 mg of fish oil.

Lastly, there are a few other notable differences between krill oil and fish oil. Fish oil tends to have a fishy aftertaste that causes unwanted gas and “fish burps” as a side effect. Krill oil doesn’t have that fishy aftertaste, eliminating the primary side effect that people complain about with fish oils.

Overall, krill oil offers superior health benefits to fish oil. As a higher-quality supplement, krill oil’s easy absorption and added antioxidants create additional health benefits. Not to mention, krill oil is derived from high-quality Antarctic krill, making it a better alternative by promoting sustainable fishing practices. The result is a top-notch supplement loaded with health benefits.

Interested in giving krill oil a try? Find a store that supplies Kori Krill Oil near you!