Should You Be Taking Krill Oil Supplements? (No, Not in a Sandwich Will Ferrell!)
By Brierley Wright, M.S., R.D., Nutrition Editor, EatingWell Magazine
I recently received a question from a reader: what is krill oil and should I be taking it? While the school kids in the recent Let's Move video with Michelle Obama and Will Ferrell weren't excited about krill-oil supplements--in sandwiches--for lunch, there may be reasons to consider taking the supplement. As its name implies, krill oil is oil extracted from krill--tiny sea-dwelling crustaceans--and made into a soft-gel capsule. Krill are a rich source of DHA and EPA, omega-3 fats that promote heart and brain health and reduce inflammation.
Krill oil is often touted as a supplement superior to fish oil: preliminary research suggests that our bodies better absorb omega-3s from krill oil than from fish oil. In other words, you'd need a smaller dose of omega-3s if they're coming from krill. But here's the catch: to get enough omega-3s you'd still have to actually swallow more krill-oil pills than fish-oil pills, because the amount of DHA and EPA in a single krill-oil pill is typically much lower. And krill oil tends to be pricier--perhaps because krill is harder to catch. It may also be less sustainable, because krill is the main food source for many whales and other marine animals. Look for krill that bears the Marine Stewardship Council "Certified Sustainable Seafood" logo.
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Krill-oil supplements contain a so-called "super" antioxidant, astaxanthin (that's where the animal's red color comes from). Astaxanthin may help to increase your "good" HDL cholesterol and decrease triglycerides, but krill-oil supplements contain only micro quantities.
Bottom line: More important than whether you choose krill- or fish-oil supplements is simply including sufficient omega-3s in your daily diet, particularly because many Americans don't get enough. Most experts suggest 2,000 mg/day. Up your omega-3 intake by eating more oily fish (salmon, tuna, sardines). The American Heart Association recommends two servings a week. If you just can't seem to get enough fish in your diet, consider a supplement. Check with your doctor first, though, especially if you're taking a blood thinner, as omega-3s may increase its effect.
Do you take krill oil or fish oil supplements?
By Brierley Wright, M.S., R.D.
Brierley's interest in nutrition and food come together in her position as nutrition editor at EatingWell. Brierley holds a master's degree in Nutrition Communication from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. A Registered Dietitian, she completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Vermont.
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