Krill OIl

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Krill oil is an omega-3 supplement extracted from krill, and shoppers often compare it with fish oil and other omega-3 sources. This collection currently holds those alternatives: fish oil, cod liver oil, multi-oil omega blends and flaxseed oil capsules, from brands including Allmax, Universal Nutrition (Animal), 21st Century, Now Foods and Horbaach.

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Krill OIl: buying guide

Krill oil, fish oil, cod liver oil or flaxseed?

The omega-3s most people are after are EPA and DHA, the long-chain types found in seafood. The sources differ in the form they come in and what else they carry:

Type Omega-3 form Worth knowing
Krill oil EPA and DHA, mainly as phospholipids Some studies suggest slightly better absorption than fish oil; others find no advantage
Fish oil EPA and DHA, as natural or re-esterified triglycerides or ethyl esters All forms raise blood EPA and DHA. Ethyl esters are absorbed slightly less well
Cod liver oil EPA and DHA Also provides vitamins A and D, so count these if you take a multivitamin
Flaxseed oil ALA, a plant omega-3 Your body converts only a small share of ALA into EPA and DHA

If you avoid animal products, algal oil is the plant-based source of DHA, and some algal oils contain EPA as well. See our vegan range.

How to compare omega-3 products

  • EPA and DHA per serve. The front label often shows total oil (for example 1,000 mg), but the amounts of EPA and DHA inside can vary widely. Read the panel.
  • Capsules per serve. Check how many capsules make up one serve before comparing value.
  • Form. Triglyceride, ethyl ester or phospholipid. All work; the differences in absorption are modest.
  • Extra nutrients. Cod liver oil and blends may add vitamins or other fats. Check you are not doubling up.
  • Allergens. Check the label for fish, shellfish and soy statements.

Safety

Side effects are usually mild, such as an unpleasant taste, bad breath, heartburn, nausea or stomach discomfort. If you take warfarin or another blood thinner, talk to your doctor before starting, because fish oil may affect clotting test results. If you are pregnant, check with your doctor before using cod liver oil, as it contains vitamin A. The Australian Institute of Sport lists fish oils in Group B, meaning emerging evidence for athletes.

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Browse the full fish oil range, vitamin D and joint support.

Sources: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Omega-3 Fatty Acids; AIS Sports Supplement Framework (ABCD system).

Order online with Australia-wide delivery, free on orders of $100 or more, or visit a Supps247 store in Melbourne, regional Victoria or Brisbane to compare products in person before you buy. Members can use our price match guarantee on full-priced items.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or take regular medication, check with your doctor first.

Krill OIl: questions and answers

Is krill oil better than fish oil?
Not clearly. Krill oil carries its omega-3s mainly as phospholipids, and the NIH notes that some studies suggest these have somewhat higher bioavailability than the omega-3s in fish oil, while other studies find no advantage. What matters most is how much EPA and DHA you get per serve, so compare the panel rather than the oil type alone.
How much EPA and DHA is in a fish oil capsule?
It varies. According to the NIH, a typical 1,000 mg fish oil capsule provides about 180 mg of EPA and 120 mg of DHA, but doses vary widely between products. Always check the EPA and DHA figures on the label rather than the total oil amount.
Can I take fish oil or krill oil with blood thinners?
Talk to your doctor first. The NIH notes that fish oil might prolong clotting times, as shown by a higher INR result. Most research finds that 3 to 6 g a day does not significantly affect warfarin, but product information still advises that people taking anticoagulants are monitored for changes in INR. Your doctor can tell you whether that applies to you.
Is flaxseed oil a good vegetarian alternative to fish oil?
It provides ALA, a plant omega-3, but your body converts very little of it into EPA and DHA. The NIH reports conversion rates of less than 15%. If you want EPA and DHA without fish, algal oil is the better option: it usually provides around 100 to 300 mg of DHA per serve, and some products also contain EPA.
Where can I buy krill oil online, and which is the best krill oil in Australia?
You can buy Futurebiotics Antarctic Krill Oil online with delivery across Australia, usually in 2 to 8 business days, and shipping is free on orders of $99.99 or more. A 2-softgel serve gives 1,000 mg of krill oil with EPA, DHA, phospholipids and astaxanthin. The best krill oil for you is the one that gives the EPA and DHA you want at a cost per serve you are happy with, so compare the panel rather than the brand. Stock is limited, so if it is unavailable, standard fish oil provides the same omega-3s.
What are the benefits of krill oil, and does it work?
Krill oil supplies EPA and DHA, so its benefits are those of long-chain omega-3s in general rather than anything unique to krill. Eating seafood regularly is linked with heart health, but the US Office of Dietary Supplements notes that the American Heart Association does not recommend omega-3 supplements for people without high heart disease risk, and results for eye health and joint pain are mixed or unclear. Krill oil makes most sense if you rarely eat seafood and want an easy way to add EPA and DHA. If you have heart disease, talk to your doctor first.
Is krill oil safe, and what are the side effects?
For most adults it causes only mild effects, if any. The US Office of Dietary Supplements lists an unpleasant taste, bad breath, heartburn, nausea, an upset stomach and diarrhoea as the usual omega-3 side effects, and most labels say to take softgels with a meal. The main safety checks are allergies, because krill are crustaceans, and medicines, because high omega-3 doses can affect bleeding when combined with warfarin. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a medical procedure, ask your doctor before you start.
Can I take krill oil if I have a shellfish allergy?
Talk to your doctor or allergy specialist first, and do not try it on your own. Krill are small Antarctic crustaceans, in the same group as prawns and crabs, and TGA safety reviews have required krill oil products to carry the warning that the medicine contains crustacean shellfish. If you react to shellfish, fish oil may be an option, provided you are not also allergic to fish, and algal oil is a plant-based source of DHA. Read every label for fish, shellfish and soy statements, and seek medical help straight away if you notice swelling, hives or trouble breathing.
What is astaxanthin in krill oil?
Astaxanthin is a red-orange carotenoid pigment that occurs naturally in krill oil, and it is also found in salmon, prawns and lobster. Reviews describe it as an antioxidant, but evidence for what the small amount in krill oil does in people is still limited, so think of it as a natural part of the oil rather than a reason to choose krill over fish oil. Futurebiotics Antarctic Krill Oil lists astaxanthin alongside EPA, DHA and phospholipids. If you want to compare products, look at the EPA and DHA per serve first.
How much krill oil should I take per day, and is it different for women?
Follow the label. For Futurebiotics Antarctic Krill Oil that is a 2-softgel serve providing 1,000 mg of krill oil, and you can check its EPA and DHA on the panel against the Heart Foundation's guide of 250 to 500 mg of EPA and DHA a day for Australian adults. That guide is the same for women and men. Do not judge a krill oil by the total oil figure on the front. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive, check with your doctor or midwife before starting.

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