10 Best Krill Oils 2024 in the United States

Introduction

Krill are very small, shrimp-like crustaceans, which usually grow to about 1-2 centimeters long. But, despite their small size, they’re the main diet of some of the largest creatures on the planet! They’re the principal source of nutrition for the baleen and blue whales, mantas, walruses, and more. Krill oil, which is derived from krill, has a surprising number of health benefits to humans as well. And there are krill oils on the market that allow you to reap the nutritional benefits of this tiny creature! Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of krill oil, and how to choose the right one for you from the MSN list of the top 10 Krill Oil Supplements.

What Types of Krill Oils Are There?

You’ll find that krill oil supplements will usually be sold in the form of softgel capsules. This makes it easier to swallow--and also helps you avoid any fishy taste or smell from the oil. But, you’ll find differences in dosage size among the different products, as well as differences in concentration.

• Pure Krill Oil Capsules: An example of a 1000 mg krill oil gelcap is Nature’s Craft Omega-3 Krill Oil Supplement.

Nature’s Craft Omega-3 Krill Oil Supplement

• Concentrated Krill Oil: But some formulations claim to be more concentrated. For example, Member’s Mark Extra Strength Krill Oil comes in 500 mg gelcaps, where the krill oil itself has been purified from salts and other foreign impurities.

Member’s Mark Extra Strength Krill Oil

• Fish Oil and Krill Oil capsules: Krill oil alone tends to be more expensive than fish oil. Some brands, therefore, sell a combination of fish oil and krill oil, for a more affordable product. An example is the Schiff MegaRed Advanced 4-in-1 Softgels, which is a proprietary blend of fish and krill oil.

Schiff MegaRed Advanced 4-in-1 Softgels
 

Why should I take Krill Oil Supplements?

The human body does an amazing job of utilizing the nutrients it receives in food. But in some cases, your diet alone might not be enough. For example, there are three essential Omega-3 fatty acids that your body needs, known by their chemical initials ALA, EPA, and DHA. Your body has to get these from an outside source. And they’re instrumental in proper cell development, as well as cardiovascular health and brain function.

ALA is available from vegetable sources, such as walnuts, seeds, and flaxseeds. But EPA and DHA are found in marine animals, in particular, mackerel, salmon, and krill. If you eat 8 ounces of fish with Omega-3 every week, you should be getting enough. But, If you don’t eat that much fish or seafood, an Omega-3 supplement might be the answer. Refer to the MSN buying guides to get selected lists of the top dietary supplements in each category.

There is evidence that krill is a better source of Omega-3 oils than fish, and that krill oil supplements are actually more effective than supplements derived from fish. Here are some things that are exclusively in krill oil:

• Antioxidants: Krill oil has the antioxidant astaxanthin, which gives krill oil a pinkish color. Antioxidants remove free radicals from your body, which are associated with cell damage and accelerated aging.

• Phospholipids: Omega-3 fats can be in the form of phospholipids or triglycerides. In most fish, it’s in the form of triglycerides, while in krill oil, it’s in the form of phospholipids. Why does that matter? Phospholipids are absorbed more easily into the bloodstream and into the body’s cells. So a krill oil can be more effective than a fish oil supplement.

• Choline: Krill oil also contains choline, which is necessary for proper nerve and muscle function. In fact, choline constitutes 34% of krill oil!

• Freer from Impurities: Krill eat plankton and microalgae, which tend to be free of impurities. This is as opposed to fish like tuna or mackerel, which may have traces of metals such as mercury, cadmium, or lead, because they are higher in the food chain. So, krill oil will tend to have fewer impurities than fish oil.

What are the benefits of Krill Oil?

Okay, we saw what krill oil contains to make it so special. But what health benefits does it have?

• Easier to digest: If you try to mix fish oil in water, it quickly separates out again, with the oil rising to the top. However, if you mix krill oil in water, due to the phospholipids, it remains mixed. Thus, krill oil mixes with the digestive juices in your stomach in a way that causes less stomach upset.

• Benefits brain and nervous system: The astaxanthin in krill oil protects the brain and central nervous system from free radical damage.

• Cardiovascular health: There are various studies that have shown that 1-3 grams per day of krill oil lower the levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood, which is the type of cholesterol linked to cardiovascular disease. It also raises the levels of HDL cholesterol, which is beneficial in reducing LDL cholesterol levels.

• Relieves Inflammation: One study found that krill oil over 30 days reduced symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The subjects in the study also had fewer inflammation markers and had a better range of motion, as well as less of a need for medication.

• Relieves PMS: Along with relieving inflammation, it was also noticed that subjects who took krill oil experienced some relief from premenstrual syndrome, with less of a need for pain relievers for the common cramps, aches, and pains.

Are there risks in taking Krill Oil?

Krill oil has its benefits, but there are also side effects and risks that perhaps you should keep in mind:

• Possible side effects: Even though krill oil may be easier to digest than fish oil, there are still some side effects to be aware of. Some people experience stomach upset, heartburn, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, a fishy aftertaste, and decreased appetite. It’s recommended to take krill oil together with food, to minimize these side effects. Also, swallow the gelcap whole, without trying to open it or puncture it.

• Slows blood clotting: Krill oil’s fatty acids are purported to thin the blood and reduce high blood pressure. But, a potentially serious side effect is that krill oil can slow blood clotting. This can cause hemorrhaging in people with bleeding disorders. It’s also recommended to stop taking krill oil supplements 2 weeks before any surgery, out of concern that it will interfere with blood clotting during the operation. Also, don’t take krill oil supplements if you’re also taking medications to avoid blood clotting, such as warfarin, aspirin, ibuprofen, and Voltaren.

• Food allergies: Krill oil is not recommended for people with allergies to seafood and fish.

• Possible interaction with diet pills: If you’re taking a diet pill that prevents the body from absorbing fats, it will interfere with the intake of krill oil. So it’s recommended to take such diet pills by spacing it at least two hours apart away from taking a krill oil supplement.

Wrap Up

We have examined some of the benefits of krill oil and krill oil supplements, and the advantages that krill oil may have over fish oil-derived Omega 3 supplements. Once you’ve decided that krill oil can benefit you, refer to the MSN list of the 10 most popular krill oil supplements and choose one out!