In this post I explain things I discovered regarding benefits of krill oil but krill oil is really a nutritional supplement produced by extracting the oils from shrimp like creatures called krill.

Krill oil provides Omega-3 fatty acids like fish-oil, however unlike fish-oil they are primarily bound to phospholipids and not triglycerides.

Phospholipids are the type of lipids which form cell membranes and this is believed to be the reason Omega-3 fatty acids in krill oil are more easily absorbed. Krill oil also includes an antioxidant chemical known as astaxanthin, a carotenoid antioxidant with many benefits.

Krill oil is generally consumed for the Omega-3 fatty acids that have a number of therapeutic benefits, including improvements in cancer, heart disease, arthritis, all sorts of mental conditions, immune function, and many more.

Here I am not going to discuss the health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids but consider the studies where they specifically supplement with krill oil. All of the benefits that pertain to Omega-3 from fish-oil or food should pertain to krill oil too.

In a study, women were randomized into two groups. The groups consumed 2g daily of either krill oil or fish-oil. Krill oil was much more effective than fish-oil in treating the symptoms of dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome.

A study split patients into groups. One took krill oil daily, and the other fish oil supplements. The krill oil groups reduced total cholesterol, Bad cholesterol and triglycerides, and increased High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, much more in comparison to the fish oil group.

These are all common risk factors for heart disease, and it seems plausible that krill oil may drastically reduce cardiovascular disease risk.

A randomized study sorted into two groups. One group took krill oil daily, and the other took placebo. The krill oil group decreased C-Reactive Protein by significantly although it increased in the placebo group.

It appears clear that krill oil is really a much more powerful way to obtain Omega-3 compared to fish oil supplements, possibly because of better absorption or other nutrients in it including the antioxidant Astaxanthin.

One more reason krill oil is preferred is the fact that some sources of fish are contaminated. Krill is lower in the food chain and has lower levels of toxins.

Krill oil appears to be a supplement with powerful health benefits, however i would only recommend it instead of fish-oil for those who can easily afford it. If money is tight, it will be better allocated to quality foods in addition to a membership card at the gym.