What is Krill Oil?

Krill oil is made from krill, a small, shrimp-like crustacean that inhabits the cold ocean areas of the world. Despite their small size, krill make up the largest animal biomass on the planet. There are approximately 500 million tons of krill roaming in northern seas alone, and larger populations in the Southern Ocean.

Krill oil, like fish oil, contains omega-3 fats such as eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA). However, in fish oil, these omega-3 fats are found in the triglyceride form. In krill oil, they are found in a double chain phospholipid structure, the same form as the fats in human cell walls.

Krill oil also contains vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin D and astaxanthin, which is a potent anti-oxidant. The anti-oxidant potency of krill oil is, in terms of ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorptance Capacity) values, 48 times more potent than fish oil. The astaxanthin found in krill oil supports resistance against ultraviolet light and UV-induced skin damage.

The Key Benefits of Krill Oil

The benefits of Omega 3 attributed to fish oil also apply to krill oil, including cardio-vascular health care, joint comfort and mobility, healthy skin, and support during PMS.

In particular, krill oil has been shown in research to be more effective than ordinary fish in supporting healthy levels of HDL and LDL cholesterol.

The superior bioavailability characteristics of krill oil including its ability to be absorbed by the brain allows krill oil to support brain development, normal cognition, mental clarity and other mental faculties more effectively than fish oil.

Krill Oil Contains Phospholipid Omega-3's

A biochemical property of krill oil is that at the molecular level a phosphate molecule is attached. The presence of phosphate molecules classes krill oil omega-3's as phospholipids.

Phospholipids significantly increase the absorption or bioavailability of krill oil omega-3's. This means the beneficial omega 3 from krill oil is more readily available to important areas of the body such as brain tissue.

Phosphatidyl choline is the main phospholiplid found in pure krill oil. Choline is required for the development of a growing brain. Choline may also support cognition, mental clarity and focus.

Krill Oil Contains Astaxanthin

Unlike fish oil, krill oil contains an important and powerful antioxidant called astaxanthin. Quality krill oil supplements will contain high levels of astaxanthin. . The astaxanthin in krill helps to make it more effective in supporting joint comfort and mobility, as well as the neuro-protective qualities of the oil.

Krill Oil has no fishy aftertaste 

Omega 3 phospholipids from krill do not give any aftertaste, because they are water-soluble and therefore rapidly digested in the stomach.  The digestibility of krill means it requires no additives, it is naturally 'reflux-free'.