Krill Oil
Also known as: Antarctic krill oil, Euphausia superba oil, phospholipid omega-3, krill omega-3
Krill oil is extracted from Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), a small crustacean. Unlike fish oil, a large share of its EPA and DHA is bound to phospholipids rather than triglycerides, and it naturally contains the carotenoid astaxanthin, which gives it a red color and some oxidative stability. Total EPA+DHA per gram is lower than in fish oil concentrates, so krill oil is dosed as milligrams of whole oil. It is commonly used in heart, joint, and general omega-3 products marketed on absorption and small softgel size.
Research summary
Supplies EPA and DHA in phospholipid form plus astaxanthin; the phospholipid carrier is proposed to aid incorporation of omega-3s into cell membranes.
Dosage
Daily amounts, of compound.
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 mg | 500–2,000 mg | — | — |
Dosed as mg of whole krill oil. Typical products supply 500-1,000 mg oil per softgel containing roughly 100-250 mg combined EPA+DHA, so a 2,000 mg dose still delivers less EPA+DHA than 1,000 mg of a 60% fish oil concentrate. Pooled trial data show lipid changes over at least two weeks of daily use. Highest dose across the pooled trials was not extracted from the abstract and is left null. Take with food.
Standardization: Declare phospholipid content (commonly about 40%), EPA and DHA mg, and astaxanthin content
Source material: whole Antarctic krill, solvent or enzymatic extraction
As supplied: EPA+DHA content varies by supplier (roughly 12-25% of oil mass); check the CoA
Forms of Omega-3
| Form | Typical dose | Element % | Formats | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Krill Oil | 500–2,000 mg | — | Softgel, Liquid | high |
| Fish Oil (EPA/DHA Concentrate) | 500–2,000 mg | — | Softgel, Liquid | mid |
| Algal DHA (Algae Oil) | 200–500 mg | — | Softgel, Liquid | high |
| Cod Liver Oil | 1,000–2,000 mg | — | Softgel, Liquid | mid |
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Oil-based; softgel or liquid only. Viscous and dark red; usually filled in 500 mg or 1,000 mg softgels. Fishy odor is milder than fish oil but present.
Formulation notes
Shellfish allergen; must be declared on the label. Count its EPA+DHA toward the total omega-3 in a formula that also uses fish or algal oil. Mild antiplatelet effect at higher doses.
- Allergen: shellfish
- Notable drug interactions
Sources
- Lipid-modifying effects of krill oil in humans: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. (Ursoniu 2017)PubMed
- Clinical effectiveness of krill oil supplementation on cardiovascular health in humans: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. (Huang 2023)PubMed
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids — Health Professional Fact SheetNIH ODS
Related ingredients
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Typical: 500–2,000 mg
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Typical: 1,000–3,000 mg
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