Krill Oil

Krill Oil at Walgreens

Looking to increase levels of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet? Krill oil is rich in two important fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), that many people do not get enough of from diet alone. Walgreens can help you add krill oil to your diet with a wide selection of supplement options.

What is krill oil?

Krill oil is a liquid derived from very small shrimp-like shellfish called krill, which are commonly found in ocean waters off the coast of Antarctica. A krill oil supplement contains concentrated krill oil formed into a capsule or soft-gel for easy administration.

What is krill oil made from?

Krill oil is made from tiny shellfish called krill. These organisms resemble shrimp but are much smaller in size. Krill are found in cold areas of the ocean, with the largest population near Antarctica.

What is krill oil good for?

Krill oil provides a source of two important omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. These healthy fats play important roles in the body as structural components of cell membranes and provide a source of energy. Many people do not eat enough fish and other sources of EPA and DHA. Krill oil supplements may help you bridge the dietary gap.

Krill Oil vs Fish Oil

While both contain EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids, there are some differences when comparing krill and fish oil.

• Krill oil is extracted from tiny shrimp-like crustaceans known as krill, while fish oil typically comes from cold-water, fatty fish like anchovies, sardines, mackerel and herring.
• Anecdotal evidence suggests that krill oil does not produce an unpleasant aftertaste or cause belching that is often associated with taking fish oil supplements.
• Preliminary research suggests that the body may better absorb EPA and DHA from krill oil than from fish oil, but further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
• Fish oil has been more thoroughly studied than krill oil.

What does krill oil do?

Krill oil provides EPA and DHA, two omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients are necessary for our bodies to function well. Researchers are studying omega-3 fatty acids to see if they may be useful for addressing medical concerns and symptoms of disease.

What is krill oil used for?

Krill oil may have health benefits similar to that of fish oil.

• Preliminary research suggests that krill oil may decrease low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol in patients with high cholesterol levels.
• Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to have anti-inflammatory benefits, leading some people to use them for osteoarthritis, a condition marked by inflammation of the joints.
• There is also preliminary research to suggest that higher intakes of omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in krill oil, may reduce the risk of cancers associated with chronic inflammation, such as cancer of the colon and prostate. However, this requires further study.
• In one small study, krill oil reduced symptoms of self-reported premenstrual syndrome. More research is needed to confirm this finding.

What are the benefits of krill oil?

Researchers are exploring the possible benefits of consuming omega-3 fatty acids, such as EPA and DHA found in krill oil, for addressing health concerns. These include cardiovascular disease, inflammatory conditions, cancer, and premenstrual syndrome. More research is needed before experts can say conclusively whether omega-3 fatty acids aid in these conditions.

How much krill oil should I take?

The World Health Organization recommends a daily EPA and DHA intake of 0.3-0.5 grams daily. Specific intake recommendations should be discussed with your doctor before taking any krill oil supplement.

Does krill oil cause side effects?

Krill oil may have health benefits similar to that of fish oil.

• Krill oil supplements can cause side effects in some people such as bloating, diarrhea, and gas.
• Taking krill oil supplements may increase the risk of bleeding and should be used with caution, especially if taking anti-coagulant medications (blood-thinners).
• Krill oil may increase the risk of low blood sugar in those taking medications for diabetes.
• Krill oil may interact with other medicines.

Before taking krill oil, you should consult a doctor to ensure that these types of supplements are right for you. At Walgreens, you can find many popular krill oil brands like Schiff, Nature's Way and the Walgreens Brand.