Krill Oil
Fish oil is relatively popular as a source of Omega-3s, but how familiar are you with krill oil? What’s the difference between krill oil vs fish oil?
Krill oil is another excellent source of healthy fats that even has a few advantages over fish oil. But first: what is krill?
Krill are shrimp-like marine crustaceans that are a part of the oceanic food chain. They are food for animals like penguins, seals and whales. Krill is rich in nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids (particularly EPA and DHA), astaxanthin (a potent antioxidant) and proteins. These nutrients make krill a valuable dietary resource for both marine creatures and potentially for humans when processed into krill oil supplements.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the science-backed benefits of krill oil and how it can affect your body and mind. Whether you’re already familiar with this supplement or just getting started, read on to get a better understanding of krill oil and what it can do for you, from brain health to immune support and everything in between.
What is Krill Oil?
Krill oil began to gain popularity as a dietary supplement in the early to mid-2000s. While krill oil had been harvested for various purposes, including as food for marine animals, its use as a nutritional supplement for humans started to increase significantly during this period.1 More scientific studies and the public’s awareness of omega-3 health benefits contributed to its market demand.
How is krill oil produced? The extraction process involves mechanical pressing or solvent extraction.2 Following extraction, the krill oil undergoes purification to remove impurities and contaminants such as heavy metals and toxins, ensuring the oil’s safety and purity. Depending on the desired concentration of omega-3 fatty acids and astaxanthin, the oil may go through a concentration step to increase the content of these beneficial components. After that, it is packaged in bottles, capsules or softgels to ensure its stability and prevent oxidation.
Although krill oil is a lesser-known supplement, it shouldn’t be left in the dark. It offers a host of benefits that can help you get more out of your day.
Benefits of Krill Oil
Krill oil’s potential benefits are far-reaching. From immune support to skin health, the omega-3 content in krill oil plays an important role in your body and mind’s optimal functioning. Here are some top krill oil benefits:
Supports Joint Health
Krill oil's omega-3s can slightly alleviate joint pain and stiffness.3 Consider adding it to your wellness stack if you want joint support.
Contains Antioxidants
Unlike fish oil, krill oil contains astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant that helps protect cells from oxidative damage associated with aging and certain health conditions.4 It may support and protect skin health and could help reduce the risk of age-related eye conditions.
Supports Cognitive Function
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a component of krill oil, plays a vital role in brain health, potentially enhancing cognitive function, memory and mental clarity.56
Helps Reduce Stress
Supplementing with Omega-3s can help manage stress7, which can have a positive impact on mood.
Remember that while krill oil offers these potential benefits, it may not necessarily be an appropriate supplement for you. Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen to consider your specific health needs and goals.
The Science-Backed Benefits of Krill Oil
Recent scientific research is contributing to our understanding of how krill oil may benefit us in new and exciting ways.
Workout Recovery
Krill oil may help with sports performance, according to a recent scientific study with power training athletes.8 Researchers found that krill oil increased the HS-Omega-3 Index, supported the recovery of choline concentrations and addressed oxidative stress resulting from intense power training. Although this was a relatively small study, it highlights how krill oil could potentially support better recovery for high-intensity workouts.
Muscle Maintenance
Another science-backed benefit of supplementation with krill oil includes significantly increasing muscle function and size in healthy older adults.9 This finding means krill oil could be an effective prevention strategy to support the age-related decline of muscle mass and function. It could play an important part in improving the quality of life of older adults.
Heart Health
Krill oil also has the potential to support triglyceride levels in the blood,10 which is an important measure of heart health. The study involved 520 patients with high triglyceride levels in their blood. Those who took krill oil capsules showed a 12.7% reduction in triglyceride levels in 26 weeks. Krill oil could play an important part in preventing and treating heart-related health issues.
The Bulletproof Approach to Krill Oil
At Bulletproof, we design and create functional nutrition to help you get closer to your health goals. We only use science-backed and carefully sourced ingredients. That means you can count on the quality of our supplements to optimize your daily routine. Whether you’re treating a specific issue or trying to unlock a higher level of wellness, our supplements can be a great addition to your health journey.
Our Unique Ingredient Blend
Our krill oil has a unique blend of ingredients that includes wild-caught omega-3 krill oil, wild-caught Atlantic and Pacific fish oils, plus Norwegian herring roe. Herring roe (caviar) oil is one of the most premium, effective fish oils available on the market.11 Our supplement also has olive fruit extract and antioxidants from astaxanthin. It comes in a convenient lemon-flavored softgel so you can enjoy all the benefits with a less fishy flavor.
Krill oil supplements are easy for your body to absorb because they come packaged as phospholipids.12 These phospholipids are like the body’s cell protectors. They have a part that likes water (hydrophilic) and a part that doesn’t (hydrophobic). Together, they make a shield around cells called the cell membrane. This shield decides what goes in and out of the cell, making sure the cell stays healthy and safe. The walls of every cell in your body are created from phospholipids. This means that your body can use these building blocks to fix damaged cells and create new ones.
The bottom line is that krill oil gives you a dose of astaxanthin that is easy for your body to absorb. Top that with a full count of essential fatty acids and you’ve got yourself a great way to support overall wellness.
To make sure you get the most out of our krill oil supplements, we partner with third-party labs to conduct extensive testing on our ingredients.
Our Supplement Testing Standard
Every ingredient we choose undergoes a strict selection and testing process. We want all our products to do what they say they do. That way, you can rest assured that you are getting the most out of your supplements. When you reach for Bulletproof Omega Krill Complex, you’re feeding your body and mind with premium-quality ingredients in science-backed doses.
Our supplement testing standards mean we chose ingredients that have undergone clinical studies to confirm their effectiveness in correct doses. We go above and beyond to ensure our products are formulated correctly. How? By adhering to a four-step testing process with unbiased, third-party labs.
First, researchers inspect the supplements to make sure they include all stated ingredients in full strength. Then, they check the purity of the ingredients to make sure the product is safe from harmful contaminants. After that, they test that there’s the correct amount of active ingredients. And finally, they inspect the composition of the supplement so that it matches the label specifications. All these testing procedures are necessary to provide you with supplements that are accurately labelled, safe and effective.
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Krill Oil Products
FAQs
Fish oil and krill oil both provide omega-3 fatty acids, but they have some notable differences. Krill oil contains these omega-3s in a unique phospholipid form, which could enhance absorption and bioavailability. Krill oil is also known for its natural content of astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant that other fish oils lack. This antioxidant contributes to krill oil’s stability and potential health benefits. Additionally, krill oil has less risk of causing fishy aftertaste or gastrointestinal discomfort, thanks to its phospholipid structure.
First, consult with a healthcare professional to determine your appropriate dosage based on your personal health goals. For a top-quality supplement, look for evidence of third-party testing to confirm the absence of contaminants such as heavy metals and toxins. Make sure that the omega-3 content, specifically EPA and DHA, has a meaningful amount per serving. You also want a significant amount of astaxanthin in your supplement since it contributes to the oil’s stability and potential health advantages. And finally, pay attention to the phospholipid form of omega-3s, which can potentially enhance absorption. Look for supplements that specifically mention the presence of phospholipids on the label.
Common side effects include gastrointestinal issues such as stomach upset, diarrhea or indigestion. These symptoms are typically mild and tend to occur if you take excessive doses of krill oil. It is possible to experience fishy burps or a fishy aftertaste although it is less common compared to fish oil. If you are allergic to shellfish, be aware that krill oil is derived from a marine crustacean. And as with any dietary supplement, consult with a healthcare professional before adding it to your wellness stack.
Yes. Krill oil contains astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant that may help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can harm cells and contribute to various health issues, including aging and chronic diseases. Astaxanthin is known for its exceptional antioxidant properties, and it is naturally present in krill oil. If you’re specifically interested in the antioxidant benefits of krill oil, look for products that mention astaxanthin content on the label.
Yes, krill oil is a healthy fat because of its omega-3 fatty acids, especially EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) content. These omega-3 fatty acids support cardiovascular health.13 They can help support triglyceride levels, cholesterol profiles and cardiovascular health.
Krill oil may contribute to immune support in several ways. First, its omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to have immune-enhancing and supporting properties.14 Plus, krill oil contains astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants like astaxanthin can protect immune cells from oxidative stress, helping them function optimally. If you feel like you need immune support, consider adding krill oil to your daily supplements and see if it helps.