Who doesn’t love a fishy aftertaste after their morning supplement routine? As it turns out, most people.
Omega-3s are superstars in the world of supplements, since they are essential fatty acids, meaning our bodies do not naturally produce omega-3s so we must consume them in some shape or form.
There are three main types of omega-3 fatty acids: ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), and DHA (docosahexaenoic). Americans typically get plenty of ALAs from high-fat diets, but since many people aren’t able to consume enough EPA and DHA from diet alone, supplements are a relatively straightforward solution.
However, it is possible for individuals to meet their omega-3 quota with a healthy, balanced diet and lifestyle alone. Generally speaking, supplements should always be taken alongside a healthy diet and fitness routine.
Fish oil is a common go-to supplement for this purpose, but since krill oil supplements are less likely to leave behind that unpleasant aftertaste, may have additional health benefits, and be more sustainable, krill oil has made a splash in the supplement industry in recent years.
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What is the Best Krill Oil?
The best krill oil is found in supplement form, considering most humans wouldn’t be keen to make krill a regular part of their diet. Here are some of our picks for the best krill oil supplements on the market today.
Sports Research Antarctic Krill Oil
Overview
Sports Research is a popular brand in the health and fitness space creating high-quality research-backed products, as the name implies. The main ingredient in this supplement is Superba2 krill oil. A few negative reviews for this one were related to occasional leaking capsules.
Highlights
- Buyers can choose between 500 mg (120 softgels) or 1000 mg (60 softgels) bottles.
- IKOS certified
- MSC certified
- Gluten-free and non-GMO
- Ingredients:
- Krill oil (Superba2): 500 mg
- EPA: 64 mg
- DHA: 30 mg
- Phospholipids: 200 mg
- Astaxanthin: 250 mcg
Pricing
- One-time purchase: $31.95
- Subscribe and save: $27.16
Bottom Line
This reasonably priced product is both IKOS and MSC certified, so it is deemed sustainably sourced, and it is produced by a reputable brand. It’s also nice that users can choose between taking one capsule at 1000 mg each or two at 500 mg each, so all these factors make this supplement an excellent krill oil supplement choice.
Kori Krill Oil
Overview
Kori is an esteemed brand in the krill oil industry with a user-friendly website and blog. One of the main focuses of this brand is environmental sustainability.
Highlights
- Available at several in-person stores
- Consumer Lab reviewed
- Good Housekeeping tested
- Ingredients:
- Krill oil: 1200 mg
- EPA + DHA: 250 mg
- Phospholipids: 480 mg
- Astaxanthin: 120 mcg
- Choline: 60 mg
Pricing
- Softgels are $19.99
- 1200 mg (30 count)
- 600 mg (60 count)
- 400 mg (90 count)
- Gummies are $16.99 (120 count)
- Get 10% with the code “TRYKORI10”
- Free shipping over $150
Bottom Line
This supplement contains an adequate amount of all essential nutrients and at a fair price. Kori also offers separate supplements with additional nutrients focused on brain health. These may also be a good option for anyone who doesn’t enjoy the thought of swallowing a pill every day.
Pure Encapsulations Krill-plex
Overview
Pure Encapsulations is committed to only use science-backed ingredients to produce the highest-quality products, and the krill oil is no exception. The company partners with medical experts to ensure quality and non-profits to forward public health initiatives.
Highlights
- Free from:
- Wheat, soy, dairy, eggs, gluten, peanuts, GMOs
- Artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners
- Binders, fillers, and preservatives
- Magnesium stearate
- Trans fat and hydrogenated oils
- Ingredients:
- Krill oil (NKO): 1000 mg
- EPA: 148 mg
- DHA: 66 mg
- Other omega-3 fatty acids: 62 mg
- Phospholipids: 496 mg
- Astaxanthin: 396 mcg
Pricing
- $73.40 (60 softgels)
- $134.05 (120 softgels)
Bottom Line
If it is within your budget, these supplements are an excellent choice for those that want to know for certain that their product has been tested and vetted by experts. It’s also great for those that may be sensitive to or concerned about hidden ingredients, as Pure Encapsulations supplements are free from additives or fillers.
Onnit Krill Oil
Overview
Onnit krill oil is one of many Onnit supplements created for full body and mind optimization. As far as we can tell, there is no medical advisory board but rather professional athletes and internet personalities that back the Onnit brand. The company obtains krill oil from Olympic seafood where they use a sophisticated eco-collecting process to ensure it is sustainably sourced.
Highlights
- Informed Sport certification seal
- Friend of the Sea certification
- Out of 95 reviews, overall customer rating is 4.7 out of 5
- Gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO
- Ingredients:
- Krill Oil: 1000 mg
- Phospholipids: 450 mg
- EPA: 130 mg
- DHA: 60 mg
- Astaxanthin: 200 mcg
Pricing
- One-time purchase: $29.95
- Subscribe and save: $25.46
- Get 10% off your first order.
Bottom Line
Onnit has a good reputation in the nootropic and biohacking space, and it seems to have a loyal community around the brand. However, we could not deduce any third-party testing other than being screened for its use in sports. If sustainability is a big factor and you want to go with a popular brand, this may be a good option for you.
KrillMD™
Overview
KrillMD™ is one of the most potent krill oil supplements on the market. The supplement was designed with the intent to ease joint pain, so it contains a clinically studied strain of krill oil shown to enhance joint mobility and flexibility.
Highlights
- At 1600 mg per serving, KrillMD™ is the most potent on the list.
- Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients
- Dairy-free, peanut-free, wheat-free, non GMO
- 95% of customers recommend this product
- 90-day money back guarantee
- GMP (good manufacturing practices) certified
- Ingredients:
- Krill oil: 1600 mg
- EPA: 174 mg
- DHA: 120 mg
- Phospholipids: 550 mg
- Astaxanthin: 2 mg (2000 mcg)
Pricing
- One-time purchase: $43.99
- 1 month supply: $40.99
- 3 month supply: $35.99
- 6 month supply: $29.99
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for an omega-3 supplement to primarily benefit joint health, this may be a good option due to the clinical testing for this purpose. The high potency is what sets this supplement apart, so it’s there for those who desire the extra amounts.
Viva Naturals
Overview
Viva Naturals Antarctic krill oil appears to be a quality supplement with excellent reviews. It’s worth noting that this supplement uses a tilapia and basa fish gelatin rather than glycerin and sugar alcohols like the other krill oil on the list.
Highlights
- IKOS certified
- GMP certified
- Non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free
- Ingredients:
- Krill oil (Euphasia suberba): 1250 mg
- DHA: 90 mg
- EPA: 165 mg
- Phospholipids: 575 mg
- Antaxanthin: 1.6 mg (1600 mcg)
Pricing
- One-time purchase: $29.95
- Subscribe and save: $25.46
- Free shipping to the US and Canada on orders over $79
Bottom Line
This brand is IKOS certified and contains adequate amounts of ingredients, so it appears to be a good all-rounder for those who don’t mind the fish-based capsule.
Kiva Antarctic Krill Oil
Overview
Kiva’s krill oil is sustainably sourced from a company that markets a variety of supplements and superfoods for optimal wellness.
Highlights
- MSC certified
- GMP certified
- Non-GMO
- Ingredients:
- Krill oil (Superba2): 1000 mg
- EPA: 160 mg
- DHA: 72 mg
- Phospholipids: 450 mg
- Astaxanthin: 102 mcg
Pricing
- One-time purchase: $19.80
- Subscribe and save: $17.55
Bottom Line
Kiva krill oil appears to check all the boxes someone would want from a krill oil supplement. If you appreciate companies that value holistic wellness and sustainable farming methods, this one may be a good option for you.
Kirkland Signature Krill Oil Softgels
Overview
Costco’s brand Kirkland has been around for decades producing a wide range of supplements for every stage of life.
Highlights
- Good price
- USP verified
- Ingredients:
- Krill oil (Euphasia Superba): 500 mg
- EPA: 60 mg
- DHA: 30 mg
- Phospholipids: 200 mg
- Esterified astaxanthin: 150 mcg
Pricing
- $25.99 (160 softgels per bottle)
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a no-fuss affordable krill oil supplement, Kirkland’s krill oil is a viable option for consumers. The only downside is that even if taking two softgels per day, it doesn’t equate to the suggested dose of EPA and DHAs of 250 mg daily.
What is Krill Oil?
Unsurprisingly, krill oil is harvested from krill — tiny sea creatures that fuel Antarctic ecosystems. Fish oil is a more well-known supplement for omega-3s and fatty acids, but in recent years, krill oil supplements have surged in popularity. Krill oil is thought to have more health benefits and be better for the environment as we’ll discuss further below.
Side Effects
Some users may experience gastrointestinal side effects when taking krill oil supplements like fishy burps, bloating, diarrhea, and nausea. In most cases, these side effects are minimal and subside after a few days, but everyone is different.
Drug Interactions
Before starting any new supplement, you should consult a medical professional, so that your supplement routine is tailored to your individual circumstances. Krill oil supplements can alter the effects of certain medications like anticoagulants (blood thinners) prescribed for high blood pressure and diabetes medications, for example.
How to Buy the Best Krill Oil Supplements
There are multiple factors consumers may consider before choosing a krill oil supplement like sustainability and testing certifications, price, and ingredients.
Third-Party Testing
It’s important to note that in the United States, dietary supplements are not regulated and approved by the FDA. Therefore, it’s important that companies are upfront regarding certifications and transparent about their testing procedures.
Many supplement manufacturers opt for third-party lab testing to increase transparency. This is optional, and a supplement isn’t necessarily “bad” if a company chooses to conduct safety and efficacy testing in-house.
Some seals or certifications found on krill oil supplements are:
- IKOS (International Krill Oil Standards)
- GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)
- MSC (Marine Stewardship Council)
- USP (US Pharmacopedia)
- Friend of the sea
- Consumer Lab
Ingredients
As you likely noticed, there is more than one version of krill oil. Companies may make their own formulation or outsource from a company like SuperbaKrill™. Different krill oils may vary in the individual amounts of fatty acids, phospholipids, choline, and astaxanthin.
Though there is no set dietary intake for EPA and DHA, the general consensus is that adults should aim to consume 250–500 mg of omega-3 fatty acids per day. Therefore, when reading the ingredients for a krill oil supplement, try to get one that has at least 250 mg of combined omega-3s.
Krill oil supplements contain phospholipids to help the absorption of omega-3 fatty acids. Look for the supplement to contain around 400 mg of phospholipids to get the most out of your krill oil.
Krill Oil vs. Fish Oil
One of the main draws to using krill oil instead of fish oil is that krill oil tends to have a less fishy aftertaste. Also, research and consumer reviews indicate that krill oil could be the superior supplement in terms of both health benefits and sustainability. Both krill oil and fish oil contain the essential EPA and DHA fatty acids, but krill oil has some additional benefits as well.
Krill oil is considered pricier than fish oil. This is due to the sophisticated fishing and manufacturing methods required to produce krill oil.
Health Benefits
Krill oil supplements may provide a few health benefits due to the concentration of omega-3 fatty acids and the antioxidant astaxanthin.
Krill oil may:
- Help fight inflammation
- Reduce arthritis and joint pain
- Control blood lipid levels, which positively impacts cardiovascular health
- Manage PMS symptoms
- Improve cognitive health
Astaxanthin is an antioxidant found in krill oil but is not in fish oil, which is what gives krill oil its reddish color. Antioxidants help fight free radicals in the body, which protects cells from damage and may aid in immune system function.
Krill are at the bottom of the food chain, meaning they don’t consume many other sea creatures and have a very short lifespan, therefore krill are less likely to contain mercury and other heavy metals than larger fish like salmon or cod.
Some research indicates that krill oil may have a greater bioavailability compared to fish oil, meaning more of a substance is able to be absorbed and used by the body. However, not enough research has been done to definitively say one supplement is better than the other in this respect.
Sustainability
Companies claim there is enough krill to feed us and its predators (think whales, penguins, and seals), making them a more sustainable option compared to the larger fish used to produce fish oil.
Additionally, since krill are so small, marine technology allows fisheries to only catch krill and not unintentionally catch larger sea life or other fish.
Summary
When it comes down to it, krill oil will supplement your intake of essential fatty acids, and may provide additional health benefits over fish oil due to its longer nutrient list. Consumers seem to love the fact that krill oil supplements don’t produce as much of an unpleasant fishy aftertaste as many fish oil supplements do.
When buying a krill oil supplement, make sure to check the amounts in the ingredients list and look for third-party testing and certifications. As always, consult your doctor prior to taking a new supplement. Hopefully this article can help you make an informed choice regarding the best krill oil supplement for your individual needs.
If you’re interested in further optimizing your health and learning more regarding supplements, nutrition, and fitness, consider consulting an expert at EverFlex.
*The content in this article is for informative purposes only and is not to be used as medical advice. It is always best to consult with your doctor before beginning a new supplement regimen.
