Krill Oil

    Researchedby:
    Kamal Patel
    Last Updated: October 13, 2024

    Krill oil is a mixture of fatty acids high in EPA and DHA (fish oil fatty acids) in the form of phospholipids, mostly as phosphatidylcholine; it appears to be better absorbed than fish oil, may be more cardioprotective, and has some unique (unexplored) fat burning effects.

    examine-databaseExamine Database

    Krill Oil is most often used for Joints & Bones. The Examine Database covers Osteoarthritis, High Cholesterol, and 7 other conditions and goals.

    720 participants in 6 trials

    Summary

    Krill Oil is an oil that is derived from krill; it contains the same two fatty acids that Fish Oil contains (Eicosapentaenoic Acid, or EPA, and Docosahexaenoic Acid, DHA). However, a large portion of the EPA and DHA in krill is in the form of a phospholipid, with a phosphate group on the end of the fatty acid. This results in higher bioavailability (rate of absorption) of krill oil, and thus the same effects of Fish Oil can be seen with Krill Oil but at a lower dose.

    What are other names for Krill Oil

    Note that Krill Oil is also known as:
    • Euphausiacea superba
    Krill Oil should not be confused with:

    Dosage information

    Supplementation of Krill oil tends to be in the range of 1-3g daily (overall oil weight), which has been used in the clinical trials of krill oil supplementation.

    If supplementing in accordance with the omega-3 content, the omega-3 content that is supplemented from krill oil should be equal to approximately 2/3rds that used with basic fish oil supplementation to account for the increased absorption. If one were to normally supplement 1000mg EPA plus DHA, then 660mg of EPA and DHA from krill oil would be equivalent.

    Examine Database: Krill Oil

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    Research Breakdown

    Examine Database References

    1. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) - Stine M Ulven, Bente Kirkhus, Amandine Lamglait, Samar Basu, Elisabeth Elind, Trond Haider, Kjetil Berge, Hogne Vik, Jan I PedersenMetabolic effects of krill oil are essentially similar to those of fish oil but at lower dose of EPA and DHA, in healthy volunteersLipids.(2011 Jan)
    2. Total cholesterol - Bunea R, El Farrah K, Deutsch LEvaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the clinical course of hyperlipidemiaAltern Med Rev.(2004 Dec)
    3. Arthritis (In General) - Deutsch LEvaluation of the effect of Neptune Krill Oil on chronic inflammation and arthritic symptomsJ Am Coll Nutr.(2007 Feb)
    4. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) - Laslett LL, Scheepers LEJM, Antony B, Wluka AE, Cai G, Hill CL, March L, Keen HI, Otahal P, Cicuttini FM, Jones GKrill Oil for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.JAMA.(2024 Jun 18)
    5. 2-Arachidonoylglycerol Acid - Banni S, Carta G, Murru E, Cordeddu L, Giordano E, Sirigu AR, Berge K, Vik H, Maki KC, Di Marzo V, Griinari MKrill oil significantly decreases 2-arachidonoylglycerol plasma levels in obese subjectsNutr Metab (Lond).(2011 Jan 30)
    6. Breast Tenderness - Sampalis F, Bunea R, Pelland MF, Kowalski O, Duguet N, Dupuis SEvaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the management of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrheaAltern Med Rev.(2003 May)