Both fish oil and krill oil may be able to help some patients gain the nutrients that they need in their daily diet. However, there are differences between fish oil and krill oil, including where they are harvested and more. In this article, we will look at what fish oil is, as well as what krill oil is. We will then explore the possible benefits of both to those that wish to add fish or krill oil to their diet.
The 3 Differences Between Krill Oil and Fish Oil
1. Fish Oil
Fish oil may be made from a wide variety of fish. Often, it is found in the highest concentrations in large, fatty, predatory fish. Due to their diets, which can be composed of other fish and marine life these fish may not be the best place to get your fish oil, as toxins may build-up in their bodies over their lifetime. Instead, you may want to consider a supplement, which comes in capsule form. These supplements are readily available over the counter, and may contain oil from a variety of sources, but, typically, they are harvested from fatty fish. All sources in such supplements are fit for human consumption and safe.
2. Krill Oil
Krill oil is a type of fish oil extracted from krill. Krill are not fish, but very small crustaceans that dwell in the oceans. These crustaceans serve as an important food for a large number of sea creatures, both big and small. They may also be used as food in some fisheries for fish meant for harvest and research. Currently, there has been a debate about whether krill oil or fish oil offer the most health benefits, and which type of supplement patients should opt for. Krill oil is much more expensive than fish oil, which may determine whether or not some people opt to try it.
3. Benefits of Both
Both krill oil and fish oil are very high in a particular type of fatty acids known as omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil and krill oil have both been studied because of their supposed or possible health benefits for a wide variety of medical conditions, from cancer to pregnancy. Newer research is now actually suggesting that, despite the slightly higher cost, krill oil may actually have more benefits for patients than fish oil. However, research continues into the benefits and limitations of both of these substances in supplemental form.