One of the best sources of the famous omega-3 fatty acid is fish oil. Regardless of its animal source, fish oil is hailed globally as an incredible dietary supplement.
However, with the technological advances of the last decades, the alternatives for consuming omega-3s have been considerably expanded. Today, many choose to consume krill oil, microorganisms very abundant in the waters of the planet.
Now, it is necessary to establish which of the two oils wins in the battle for the title of the best omega-3 dietary supplement .
Krill oil vs. fish oil
1. Absorption capacity
When we talk about absorption, we refer to the speed with which the oil is processed in the body and the omega-3 passes into the bloodstream. For one thing, fish oil is in the form of triglycerides, while krill oil is in the form of phospholipids. This simple difference gives krill oil faster absorption .
2. Amount of antioxidants
Free radicals are a type of molecules that are harmful to the body, causing cellular damage known as oxidative stress. It is the job of antioxidants to eradicate this cellular condition, so a greater amount of antioxidants is beneficial.
Krill oil contains astaxanthin , an antioxidant rare in other types of fish and highly beneficial to the body. Therefore, krill oil stands out over fish oil due to the presence of this antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
3. Benefits in cardiovascular health
One of the big reasons why so many people choose fish oil as a supplement is because of its beneficial effects on heart health. However, Krill oil seems to be even more beneficial in this case.
Studies conducted in human populations consuming similar amounts of krill oil and fish oil found that both offer benefits for the prevention of heart disease. Now, krill oil has proven to be more effective in lowering blood sugar, triglycerides, and bad cholesterol. In fact, this oil was more effective in lower doses than fish oil.
4. Price
For many, the ratio of quality and price is a fundamental reason for deciding to buy a supplement. Fish oil is usually much cheaper than its rival, and it still offers quite a few health benefits.
On the other hand, Krill supplements can be 10 times more expensive, and a big drawback is that they are not always easy to get.
So depending on where you live and shop, you can find krill oil, and if not possible, fish oil is still a good source of omega-3s.
Conclution
Krill oil appears to be the winner of the contest, with rapid absorption and greater benefits for the heart and amounts of antioxidants. Fish oil, for its part, has been left behind, but wins the battle of prices and ease of obtaining due to its great fame in the world of supplements.
Similarly, both krill oil and fish oil are excellent choices to supplement your diet and add omega-3s to your life. Finally, krill oil might be considered the best, but fish oil will hardly disappear from the shelves.
References
- Pearson, K. Krill Oil vs Fish Oil: Which Is Better for You? For Healthline [Revised January 2018].
