Krill Oil....Better than Fish Oil?
- David Cox, D.C.
- Oct 1
- 3 min read
Unlike fish oil, which carries omega-3s attached to triglycerides, krill oil binds eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to phospholipids — fat molecules that form the outer layer of your cells. This makes them easier for your cells to absorb and integrate into membranes. As a result, even though krill oil contains less EPA and DHA than fish oil by volume, it delivers more of them into your body where they're actually needed.
•Krill oil also contains astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant that resists rancidity — Astaxanthin doesn't just provide the deep red color of krill oil. It plays an important protective role. Astaxanthin's structure makes krill oil far more stable and resistant to oxidation than standard fish oil, which is known to go rancid easily.
•Krill oil matched or outperformed a pharmaceutical lipid-lowering drug — The researchers compared krill oil to fenofibrate, a prescription drug used to lower cholesterol. In many of the key markers — including LDL cholesterol, liver triglycerides, and antioxidant status — krill oil worked just as well or better, without the side effects seen with drugs like fenofibrate.
•Krill oil helped restore balance across multiple systems at once — What's most impressive is how krill oil didn't just target one issue — it simultaneously improved fat metabolism, cholesterol handling, oxidative stress, and inflammatory signaling. That kind of multi-targeted action is extremely beneficial. It makes krill oil uniquely suited for those dealing with metabolic dysfunction, fatty liver or insulin resistance.
1.Add krill oil to your daily routine — it works differently than fish oil — If you're taking fish oil, consider switching to krill oil. Unlike fish oil, krill oil binds omega-3s like EPA and DHA to phospholipids — the same type of fat that makes up your cell membranes. That means your body absorbs it better where it's needed most: your liver and cells. In the study, krill oil lowered liver fat, improved insulin sensitivity and reduced oxidative stress in just 60 days.
2.Eat more foods that support fat metabolism, especially fatty fish — If you prefer food-based sources, prioritize wild-caught fish like Alaskan salmon, sardines, anchovies, and mackerel. These are naturally rich in omega-3s and low in contaminants. Getting omega-3s from food gives your body tools to manage inflammation and improve fat processing — especially in your liver.
3.Avoid low-quality omega-3 supplements that do more harm than good — Most fish oils on the market are prone to oxidation, meaning they go rancid easily — especially if stored poorly. Rancid oils produce harmful compounds that promote, rather than reduce, inflammation. Krill oil is naturally protected by astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant that prevents it from breaking down and becoming toxic.
In addition, be aware of the omega-3 paradox — more isn't always better. High doses, especially from supplements, have been linked to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, a serious heart rhythm problem. You don't need megadoses to see benefits. Stick with a food-first approach when possible, and keep supplemental krill oil in a moderate range — just enough to support liver repair and heart health without tipping the balance.
4.Balance your fat intake by eliminating vegetable oils — If you're regularly eating processed foods made with soybean oil, canola oil, corn oil or sunflower oil, you're flooding your body with linoleic acid (LA), which worsens inflammation and crowds out the benefits of omega-3s. Replace these oils with healthier options like grass fed butter, tallow, and ghee, and get your omega-3s from high-quality sources like krill oil or fatty fish.
5.Support your body's natural antioxidant defenses — Oxidative stress plays a major role in liver damage and insulin resistance. Krill oil not only reduces the damage, it helps turn on your body's own antioxidant systems — including powerful enzymes that act like clean-up crews inside your cells, breaking down harmful substances before they cause problems. Adding antioxidant-rich foods like berries, herbs, and colorful vegetables will further support this process.