Vitamin Expert

Q & A: Which is better – krill oil or fish oil?

“I have read that keeping your brain in good working order can be helped by supplementing with omega-3 fats. But can you advise whether I should take krill oil or fish oil?

Clinical nutritionist Suzie Sawyer provides the answer.

You are quite right about the benefits of omega-3 fats; they are not called essential fats for nothing! However, while our body contains an abundance of omega-3s, it is the type which is of particular importance to health.

Phospholipids, contained in Krill oil, exist in high amounts in the brain and nerves. Krill has a higher percentage of something called DHA – the predominant omega-3 fat in the brain – than other fish oils. It also seems that krill oil is more effectively absorbed by the body.

Krill also contains a powerful antioxidant called astaxanthin, which as well as helping brain function preserves eye health and lowers inflammation generally within the body.

So, in answer to your question, all omega-3 fats are great for health and completely essential, but in your case supplementing daily with krill oil, as well as including plenty of oily fish in your diet such as salmon and mackerel, is the way to go.