Roll Call

“Krill Oil?”Here!

Animal-derived

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As a supplement

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Roll Call does not check drug interactions or assess personal safety.

An oil extracted from small crustaceans called krill, containing omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) bound mainly to phospholipids, along with the pigment astaxanthin.

Why it’s used

Taken as an alternative to fish oil for omega-3 intake, often for heart health or joint comfort.

What the evidence is for

modestly affecting triglyceride levels.

What the evidence says

NIH ODS notes krill oil as a marine source of EPA and DHA comparable in some respects to fish oil, but says head-to-head evidence of superior absorption or effect is limited and mixed. Some small trials report modest reductions in triglycerides, but the overall evidence base for krill oil specifically is smaller than for fish oil.

Dose studied

1–3 g — typical daily dose in short-term lipid trials.

Context

Trials of krill oil for lipid effects have generally used around 1 to 3 grams per day for several weeks to months, with most studies short in duration and small in size.

Rumors

  1. Modestly affecting triglyceride levels.

    Not gradedhealth and safety evidence

    Sources cited — no verdict reached.

    What was measured is not yet noted.