Other claims put krill oil as being 300 times stronger that vitamins A&E and less toxic than fish oil, which has undergone harsh manufacturing processes and may even have been drawn from rotting fish. But before you ditch you grandmother's favourite Cod liver oil, here's a bit more about Krill.
Krill explained
Krill are sea bed crustaceans and is the planet's most abundant animal biomass. They grows to about 6cm in length and live on phytoplankton. At the lower end of the food chain, Krill is food for whales, seals, fish and penguins and are fished in Japan as food, okiami.
Commercial krill fishing, for aquaculture, bait and aquarium feed, occurs in the Southern Ocean and in waters around Japan and Canada. Each year, around 200,000 tonnes of krill are harvested.
Krill oil is extracted for it high Omega 3 content, but Krill also contains an antioxidant called astaxanthin, which is also an anti-inflammatory. Krill feed on an algae that produces astaxanthin (and which gives krill, lobster and prawns their pinkish colour)
Krill versus fish oil
Both contain Omega 3, but in Krill it's in the form of phospholipids and in fish oil it's triglycerides. Phospholipids are believed to be easier absorbed into the body and advocates of krill champion the fact that after digesting krill oil capsules, there is no 'repeat' burb of after taste, unlike fish oil which can linger for a while. Research shows that krill oil better reduces fat deposits, whereas the equivalent fish oil showed (in the lab rats) only marginal decline - hence making it better for heart health.
Health benefits
Krill contain Omega 3, astaxanthis, vitamins A & E, among other minerals and nutrients.
The conbined forces of these agents mean Krill oil is a superb supplement for:
- sports people
- aching joints & immobility
- rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
- heart health
- liver functioning
- improving energy and concentration
How to take
Krill oil comes in softgel capsules or capliques, which are thought to be more effective at sealing out oxygen and keeping the oil fresh. I'm trying Clean Marine Krill Oil which are ethically fished and use high production standards.