Krill Oil

Krill are tiny prawn-like crustaceans. Like most fish, their diets are high in algae. The well-known EPA and DHA fatty acids are found in high levels in algae. This means that krill accumulate, like fish, a high amount of EPA and DHA because of this high algae intake. This is no different to humuans when we eat lots of fish or krill.

There are some big differences between krill-based supplements and fish oil though. The most notable of these is that krill EPA and DHA are in phospholipid form, while fish oil contains it as an ethyl ester (triglyceride). Interestingly, krill contains a lot lower concentration of EPA and DHA than fish oil. However, given the phospholpid form these fatty acids take in krill oil, they absorb into our system at a much higher rate than fish oil.

Also, a powerful natural colour called astaxanthin is found in krill oil. Astaxanthin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. 

A research review published by Hospital Pharmacy in 2014 indicated that EPA and DHA offer quite a few cardiovascular benefits. These are lowered triglycerides, reduced blood pressure, increased plaque stabilisation, reduced platelet aggregation, lowered heart rate and an anti-inflammatory effect. These effects have been noted primarily through the use of fish oil clinical trials, which have been studied for many decades now. However, it is believed that similar results will be obtained from taking a lower concentration of EPA and DHA from Krill Oil, due to its higher absorption rate. Plus, the astaxanthin content of krill oil is an added benefit.