Which Omega-3 is Best for the Keto Diet: Krill Oil or Fish Oil?

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The keto diet remains one of the most popular diet choices. This low-carb alternative has several potential health benefits. However, there are several nutrients in supplement form for the ketogenic diet that you’ll want to consider taking to supplement your keto journey. Omega-3s provide a wealth of potential health benefits. Taking fish oil or krill oil augments your keto diet by providing daily essential nutrients.

What are Omega-3s?

Omega-3s are a family of fatty acids that your body needs for important functions such as heart and brain health. The most important thing to know about Omega-3s is that your body can’t produce them on its own. You need to ingest them either as a supplement or through the foods you eat.

There are three main types of Omega-3s: ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). EPA and DHA can be found in cold-water fish and algae, while ALA can be found in plants.

DHA and EPA are mainly sourced from fish such as herring, mackerel, salmon, and even from small crustaceans, i.e., krill. If you don’t consume enough fish in your diet, then a fish oil or krill oil supplement can help you get the recommended Omega-3s you need.

Omega-3s and the Keto Diet

The keto diet, a popular choice amongst health-conscious eaters, is a low-carb, high-fat, and moderate-protein diet.

The concept of keto theorizes that if you eat fewer carbohydrates, your body will no longer use glucose as fuel. As a result, your body goes into a ketosis metabolic state. This means that your body becomes efficient at burning fat for energy.

As you can imagine, foods such as fatty fish satisfy the requirements for a keto diet. They are high in fat, offer plenty of protein, and don’t contain carbohydrates. However, if you don’t eat adequate amounts of fish, then an Omega-3 supplement can help you get the benefits of fish, while also maintaining true to the keto diet.

Is Krill Oil Keto-Friendly?

In short, absolutely. Krill oil does not contain carbohydrates, so you won’t have to worry that you’re adding additional carbohydrates to your diet. Krill oil, such as Kori Krill, has a high volume of Omega-3s so you can continue to get the fatty acid intake you need while maintaining a healthy keto diet.

Are Omega-3s Good Daily Supplements for Keto?

When it comes to sourcing the best daily supplements for the keto diet, there are varying opinions. No one supplement can possibly do it all. However, if you are currently following a keto diet, then Omega-3 products should certainly be on your radar.

Many keto recipes include fish, but not everyone is a fan of eating fish or fish products. An Omega-3 supplement allows you to get healthy nutrients found in fish, without having to eat something you don’t like.

Krill oil is a great source of healthy fats - the lynchpin of the keto diet. Therefore, adding krill oil to your supplement set makes for a great fit for your keto-friendly routine.

Keto Fasting and Omega-3 Supplements

Many people opt to fast while starting their keto diet. While fasting is a personal choice, you might consider continuing to take any daily supplements, including krill oil, even while fasting. You may notice the side effects of fish oils tend to be a bit stronger while fasting; however, it is safe to take Omega-3 supplements while fasting on your keto diet. You aren’t breaking the keto diet if you opt to take vitamins for keto.

Difference Between Fish Oil and Krill Oil?

One of the best ways to get Omega-3s into your diet if you don’t eat fish is through either fish oil or krill oil. There are many differences between krill oil and fish oil.

The biggest difference is that krill oil comes from krill - tiny crustaceans that live in the cold seas, while fish oil comes from fatty fish. Krill oil is easily absorbed by the body because it delivers Omega-3s in a mix of phospholipids and triglycerides whereas fish oils lose the phospholipids during processing. Krill oil also contains astaxanthin, an antioxidant, and choline, a compound and essential nutrient that supports the brain, healthy cell function, DNA synthesis, nervous system functioning, and metabolism.

Additional Benefits of Krill Oil

Krill oil is one of the best supplements for the keto diet because it has an array of potential health benefits. A few notable benefits of krill oil include:

  • A source of healthy fats packed with EPA and DHA
  • Supports the body’s normal response to regulating inflammation

With so many potential benefits to your health, krill oil is certainly a contender for one of the best supplements for a keto diet.

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