Best Krill Oil

Buying guide for Best krill oil

Omega-3 fatty acids can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, support optimal brain health, and reduce inflammation in the body. Most people aren’t getting enough omega-3s in their diet, so they turn to supplementation instead. Krill oil supplements are one of the best sources of omega-3s, but you have to choose yours carefully.

There are several factors you need to consider when choosing a krill oil supplement, including where and how the krill was sourced, how much krill oil is in a single serving, and how easy it is to take the pills.

Krill are shellfish, so you should not take a krill oil supplement if you are allergic to shellfish.

Key considerations

The two most important factors to pay attention to when choosing a krill oil supplement are the amount of krill oil per serving and the ingredients.

Serving

The best krill oil supplements contain at least 1,000 milligrams (mg) of krill oil per serving. Bear in mind that “per serving” is not necessarily the same as “per capsule.” Among the top brands, 1,000 mg per serving is standard, but there are a few that offer 500 mg or less per serving. This doesn’t mean they won’t provide any benefits, but you might not get as many benefits as you’d hoped if you’re consuming less than 1,000 mg per day.

Ingredients

It’s good practice with all supplements to read the ingredient list carefully before you buy. Some supplements are stuffed with fillers that don’t offer any benefits and could even be harmful. This isn’t so much of a concern with krill oil supplements because they’re usually just the krill oil inside of a gelatin capsule. But it’s still a good idea to check the list and look up any ingredients you don’t recognize. Avoid products with artificial dyes. They don’t do anything for you, and some people believe they might be harmful.

In addition to omega-3s like DHA and EPA, you might see astaxanthin listed in the nutrition facts. This is a powerful antioxidant that offers many of the same benefits as the omega-3s, including reduced joint pain, improved heart health, and even clearer, younger-looking skin. Currently, there’s no set amount of astaxanthin that you should take each day, but you shouldn’t suffer any ill side effects from consuming the amount that’s normally found in krill oil supplements.

Krill oil features

Here are some other features to consider when choosing a krill oil supplement:

Krill source

Krill can be sourced from a number of places around the world, but the best krill come from Antarctica. These krill are known for having the lowest levels of toxins and heavy metals, which can be dangerous to humans.

You should also choose a krill oil supplement that’s been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) whenever possible. This means that the krill have been sustainably sourced and the manufacturers are not contributing to the overfishing of the oceans.

Purity and testing

The best krill oil undergoes additional purification before it ends up in your supplements to make sure that any toxins and heavy metals are removed. Companies run their own tests to verify that the supplements are safe to consume, but some also use third-party testers to prove that their supplement is safe. Companies that have third-party testing done usually publish the results online so you can see them. If you can’t find any test results, you can either go with another krill oil supplement or reach out to the company and ask if it has any data to back up its claims.

Size and number of capsules

If you struggle to swallow large pills, you’re better off going with a krill oil supplement that comes in smaller capsules. The bottle should give you an indication of the size of the pills, and sometimes you can find pictures online that show the size.

You should also pay attention to how many capsules make up a single serving. For some, it might be worth it to take one larger capsule rather than two or three smaller ones. If your supplement requires you to take multiple capsules per serving, that also means that you’ll use up the bottle more quickly, and you could end up spending more money than you would on a krill oil supplement that has a single-capsule serving size.

Aftertaste

A fishy aftertaste – fish burps – are common with krill and fish oil supplements, but they’re a bigger problem with some supplements than others. If you prefer to avoid fishy burps, you should read through customer reviews for a krill oil supplement before you buy to see if this is a common issue.

Krill oil prices

Most krill oil supplements range from $15 to $30 per bottle, but the overall cost doesn’t tell you which supplement offers the best value. To figure that out, look at the cost per serving. First, note how many servings are in the bottle, keeping in mind that the serving and capsule counts might not be the same. Then divide the total cost by the number of servings to determine the cost per serving.

You can expect to pay about $0.30 to $0.50 per 1,000 mg serving of a krill oil supplement. The cost per serving might be lower if you choose a krill oil supplement with less than 1,000 mg of krill oil per serving, but you might not see as much benefit from taking the lower-dose supplement.

Tips

• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. For best results, take the krill oil supplement daily or as recommended by the manufacturer.

• Take the krill oil with food. If you find that your krill oil supplement is upsetting your stomach, consider taking it with a meal.

• Consult your doctor. Get expert advice if you’re unsure which krill oil supplement is right for you.

• Check the expiration date of your krill oil supplement. Do this to be sure you’ll be able to use up the supplements before that date. Never consume expired krill oil. It could do you more harm than good.

• Stop taking the supplements if you experience side effects. Side effects can include upset stomach, heartburn, nausea, bad breath, and digestive issues (usually only an issue with poor-quality krill oil supplements). If you notice any of these, you might want to stop taking the supplement or reduce your dosage and talk to your doctor.

If your krill oil supplements come in a pouch, you might want to transfer them to a plastic container so you don’t need to worry about the pouch accidentally breaking open.

FAQ

Q. Why should I choose a krill oil supplement instead of a fish oil supplement?
A. Fish oil supplements are also an excellent source of omega-3s, but some argue that the omega-3s found in krill oil supplements are more bioavailable, or more readily absorbed by the body.
 

Q. Are krill oil supplements safe?
A. Yes, they should be safe for most people if you choose a supplement that has been purified and tested to ensure that it contains no toxins. However, individuals on blood thinners, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and anyone with an upcoming surgery should consult with their doctor before starting on a krill oil supplement.
 

Q. How do krill oil omega-3s help the body?
A. Krill oil omega-3s have several benefits, including lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, improving sleep, reducing inflammation and joint pain, and promoting brain health.