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When looking at krill oil vs. fish oil as an Omega 3 supplement, several factors make krill oil a more effective choice.
Both products are harvested from cold water sea life. Both also contain significant amounts of DHA and EFA fats.
However, that’s where the similarities between krill oil and fish oil end.
Read on to find out how these natural oils deliver omega 3 benefits for immunity, skin, heart health, and most importantly, cognitive function. Then, decide which form of supplementation is right for you.
Heart Health
Brain Health
Anti- Oxidant- Source of EPA and DHA Omega-3's
- Contains astaxanthin - a potent anti-oxidant
- Supports brain & cardiovascular health
Top Krill Oil Products* ❯Sources of Omega 3 Fatty Acids
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Omega 3 fatty acids are considered essential compounds for human health and development.
They play a role in normal growth patterns, and are required for maintenance of healthy cell structure throughout all tissue in the body.
Omega 3s are particularly important to development of the retinas and are critical to good eyesight. They also are necessary for heart muscle strength. In the brain, omega 3s are critical components of nerve cell health and function, the root of all cognitive activity.
Despite all of these functions, the human body itself cannot produce omega 3s. The fats must be obtained through food sources.
While there are some omega 3s like Alpha Linolenic Acid in vegetables, the best source on Earth is cold water sea life. The fish and crustaceans of the coldest oceans, the Antarctic and the Pacific, are loaded with these good fats, in a bioavailable form which the body and brain can use directly.
For this reason, supplements derived from these creatures are a popular way to boost overall wellness. Despite the differences of krill oil vs. fish oil, both are leading sources of omega 3s.
Effects of Using Krill or Fish Oil
Krill oil and fish oil are both an all-around excellent way to supplement these good fats. Once consumed, they both deliver omega 3 acids, in the form of DHA and EFA, to cells throughout the entire body.
These acids go to work nourishing cell membranes and making them more permeable, facilitating the flow of nutrients into cells and the removal of wastes. This creates a state of efficiency in cells which translates into stronger tissue and better organ function. It also makes cells less susceptible to disease and infection.
Omega 3 oils are able to cross the blood brain barrier, which means that they can be directly supplemented for cognitive enhancement purposes. In the brain, omega 3 performs the same cell strengthening functions as in the rest of the body. Nerve cells which are fortified with omegas are more efficient signalers and contribute to overall better brain communication.
Krill oil also contains choline infused phospholipids, which help the brain build acetylcholine. This important neurotransmitter is involved in the development of connections between neurons helps to enhance focus and memory. Phospholipids are also excellent anti-oxidants, providing protection against cell death and decay due to aging and oxygen damage.
Krill Oil vs. Fish Oil – Benefit Comparison
One of the most significant differences between these supplements is that Fish Oil does not contain high quantities of the nutrient choline. Krill oil’s choline content makes it an effective brain and mood supplement.
As the structures of the brain are better able to communicate and process chemical messages, the user experiences an easier time managing stressful thoughts.
Daily krill oil supplements can enhance factors related to fluid intelligence and learning. You may find that it is easier to retain facts that you learn either at work, at school or in your personal life.
Furthermore, many users report that they are better able to comprehend associations and relationships between various sources of information and processing of data becomes easier. All of this is attributable to the increased choline uptake by neurons. Finally, this product may be able to clear “brain fog” and lift mood among individuals suffering from depression or panic attacks and anxiety.
There are some reviews that attribute these benefits to Fish Oil as well, but as it lacks significant choline content, the effects will be diminished compared to Krill sources. Many experts also consider Krill oil to be safer than generic fish oils. Krill oil has a very long shelf life, and does not break down for 2 years or more.
In comparison, fish oil is highly perishable and decays into dangerous free radicals quickly, within weeks or months. Consuming the oil in this damaged state can do far more harm than good to cellular health. Both supplements provide general immunity support, and contribute to healthy skin and joint function.
Comparison of Side Effects and Safety
Regular fish oil has a few side effects which don’t appear in krill oil. These include the rapid breakdown of the oil into harmful free radicals which can produce oxidative damage.
Fish oil is also known to cause a fishy taste in the mouth, fishy breath, and a fish odor in sweat. This seemingly superficial side effect discourages many people from trying the oil.
These odors do not accompany krill oil usage. Comparing krill oil vs. fish oil, krill makes it possible to supplement omega 3s without risking these unpleasant smells.
Other side effects for both oils include mild stomach upset in some cases. There is some debate over whether a shellfish allergy should be grounds to avoid red krill oil. There has not been a conclusive study demonstrating risk for shellfish-allergic patients who try krill oil, but it might be best to err on the side of caution.
Fish oil does not seem to have any impact upon shellfish allergies, as far as current research indicates.
Krill Oil vs. Fish Oil – Which Should You Buy?
All humans need to supplement omega 3 fatty acids, either from food sources or with a standalone cold water sea life oil. Among the options on the market, krill oil has all of the same benefits as fish oil, with added anti-oxidant protection and far greater cognitive enhancement abilities.
For this reason, anyone interested in trying krill oil vs. fish oil solely for its brain boosting power should try krill oil first. While it may be more expensive, the added benefits of greater immunity, protection against free radicals, better skin, and stronger organs will make a nice “bonus” in addition to cognitive gains.
- Köhler A, Sarkkinen E, Tapola N, Niskanen T, Bruheim I. Bioavailability of fatty acids from krill oil, krill meal and fish oil in healthy subjects--a randomized, single-dose, cross-over trial. Lipids Health Dis. 2015
- Spindler SR, Mote PL, Flegal JM. Dietary supplementation with Lovaza and krill oil shortens the life span of long-lived F1 mice. Age (Dordr). 2014
- Trepanowski JF, Kabir MM, Alleman RJ Jr, Bloomer RJ. A 21-day Daniel fast with or without krill oil supplementation improves anthropometric parameters and the cardiometabolic profile in men and women. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2012
- Tur JA, Bibiloni MM, Sureda A, Pons A. Dietary sources of omega 3 fatty acids: public health risks and benefits. Br J Nutr. 2012
- Bunea R, El Farrah K, Deutsch L. Evaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the clinical course of hyperlipidemia. Altern Med Rev. 2004
- Berge K, Musa-Veloso K, Harwood M, Hoem N, Burri L. Krill oil supplementation lowers serum triglycerides without increasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in adults with borderline high or high triglyceride levels. Nutr Res. 2014
Article last updated on: April 29th, 2018 by Nootriment
1 Comment
Love the website. Great information here. Just wanted to give me experience with fish and krill oil. As many, I have also read all the great benefits for these oil supplements but did have a side effect not listed above. In some cases, especially those with healthy/athletic hearts, these oils can actually do the complete opposite. I began taking Nordic Naturalys Ultimate Omega in normal dosages and wound up having PVCs and irregular heartbeat or heart palpatations. It’s a shame too because there was a noticeable inflammation decrease throughout my body but the heart palps kept me up at night and drastically increased anxiety levels. Just not for me. Thought I would share and let people know as with any supplement you need to ease into the supp dosing.