Krill Oil

Krill are tiny prawn-like crustaceans that have diets similar to most fish, which are high in algae. Algae are a rich source of EPA and DHA, and the old addage you are what you eat dictates that krill will therefore contain a high level of EPA and DHA, which they do.

There are some big differences between krill-based supplements and fish oil, the most notable of which is that the krill EPA and DHA are in phospholipid form, while fish oil contains it as an ethyl ester, also known as triglyceride. Interestingly, krill contains a lot lower concentration of EPA and DHA than fish oil. However, given the phospholpid form that these fatty acids take in krill oil, they absorb at a much higher rate than fish oil. Also, a powerful pigment called astaxanthin is also present in krill oil that has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. 

A research review published by Hospital Pharmacy in 2014 indicated that EPA and DHA offer numerous cardiovascular benefits, including triglyceride reductions, lowering of blood pressure, increased plaque stabilisation, reduced platelet aggregation, lowered heart rate and an anti-inflammatory effect. These results have of course been noted primarily through the use of fish oil clinical trials, which have been supplemented and tested for many decades now. However, it is believed that similar results will be obtained from taking a lower concentration of a higher absorbing EPA and DHA, such as Krill Oil. Plus, the astaxanthin content of krill oil is an added benefit.