Introduction
Both krill oil and fish oil are rich in Omega-3. Nevertheless, krill oil is not equally the same as fish oil. Krill oil pertains the same health benefits because of its omega-3 content, but different with fish oil in several ways, which serves as an excellent alternative for certain people that unable to consume fish oil. The unique omega-3 composition from krill oil has attracted increasing attention from people all around the worlds.
Omega-3 EPA and DHA found in animal sources such as fish, krill and as well as certain seafood. Omega-3 is known as essential fatty acids since needed for our normal bodily function, yet it is unable to be produced by our own body, and therefore we must consume from the daily diet.
Just like fish oil, krill oil also able to help improve lipid profile due to its omega-3 content. Studies have shown that intake of krill oil for three months reduce the total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol while increasing the HDL cholesterol. But why choose krill oil over fish oil?
Krill oil is so unique because of these!
1. Higher absorption and bioavailability
Although both fish oil and krill oil containing omega-3, the form of omega-3 present in krill oil is different, which makes krill oil having higher absorption and bioavailability than fish oil. Unlike fish oil, the omega-3 in krill oil bound in phospholipid form, which having emulsifying properties and contributes to better digestion and absorption of omega-3 in the body. Therefore, krill oil is suitable for those people with poor fat digestion and elderly with slow digestion.
2. The purest form of omega 3
Krill give you the purest form of omega-3 as it is at the bottom of the food chain. Living in the Antarctic ocean, Krill is a very tiny, shrimp-like crustacean (shellfish) that feed on algae and therefore, possess the lowest risk of toxins and contamination.
3. Possess powerful antioxidant level
Unlike fish oil, krill oil contains a powerful antioxidant known as astaxanthin. You may quickly notice this reddish carotenoid pigment through the entire body of krill and some other creatures. Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant, which is 6000 times stronger than vitamin C. Besides protecting krill oil from oxidation, it can guard the bad cholesterol against free radical damage and reduce chances of bad cholesterol from getting oxidized. Oxidized bad cholesterol can develop into plaque that leads to arteries blockage.
4. Lesser dosage required for blood lipid reduction
Due to its unique composition of omega-3, krill oil requires a lower amount for helping to reduce blood lipid than fish oil. The lower dosage is beneficial to those having difficulties in swallowing as they do not need to consume so many capsules, and krill oil are smaller in capsule compare to fish oil. Studies had shown that intake of 1g to 1.5g of krill oil for three months significantly reduced 34% of LDL cholesterol while increasing 43% of HDL cholesterol. In comparison, 1g to 3g krill oil shown to substantially lower blood lipid far more effective than 3g of fish oil. [1]
But among all the krill oil, how you choose which is suitable for you? Here are some tips to help you select the right choice of krill oil that benefits you the most.
- The purity of the krill oil – The way how the krill oil is extracted and processed determine its purity. Krill oil produced through a patented cold vacuum extraction process provides superior omega-3 levels with a higher bioavailability and antioxidant content.
- The source of the krill oil – This determines the quality of the krill oil. Krill oil harvested from the deep waters of Antarctica has the lowest levels of toxins and heavy metals.
- The content of astaxanthin in krill oil – Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant with its natural present in krill oil. However, it’s hard to preserve this powerful antioxidant during the extraction and processing of krill oil. But with this patented cold vacuum extraction process, it enables us to get a higher level of astaxanthin, 15 times more astaxanthin than other krill oil in the market.
- Halal status – Not every krill oil product is with halal certified. But, Neptune Krill Oil (NKO®) is halal certified krill oil as no alcohol used during the extraction process.
Get yourself more than just omega-3 by taking quality krill oil!
Reference
- Bunea, R., El Farrah, K., and Deutsch, L., 2004. Evaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the clinical course of hyperlipidemia. Altern Med Rev., 9(4):420-428
