Krill Oil vs Pharmaceutical Grade Omega-3

While products derived from krill oil are currently enjoying popularity among many consumers due to a significant marketing campaign, this article will discuss the advantages of pharmaceutical grade fish-based Omega-3 products over those containing krill oil, including significantly higher levels of EPA/DHA, substantially lower cost per milligram of EPA/DHA and the large volume of validated scientific studies proving the health benefits associated with pharmaceutical grade Omega-3 derived from highly concentrated, ultra-pure fish oil. We strongly encourage you to compare our Ocean Blue products to any krill oil that you are currently taking or are considering taking.

Available sources of Omega-3

There are three main sources of Omega-3 essential fatty acid available to consumers: fish oil, krill oil and plant sources, such as flax or other seed oils. While the health benefits of Omega-3 are virtually undisputed, the best source of Omega-3 for humans is the subject of ongoing debate.
Omega-3 in the form of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, or EPA/DHA, is found naturally only in animals, with the greatest concentrations being found in seafood, including fish and krill. EPA/DHA is required by the body to support cardiovascular and neurological health and has been shown to have positive health benefits in the areas of inflammatory and auto-immune disease, mental health, brain development in fetuses and babies, vision and more.  Plant-based products, while often favored by vegetarians, vegans and those who have concerns about seafood alergies, only provide Omega-3 in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). To be available for use, the body must first convert ALA into EPA/DHA. This conversion is inefficient, requiring both energy and nutrient expenditures, thereby reducing the health benefits of plant-based Omega-3 products. While there are many Omega-3 products containing ALA available, this article focuses on the comparison between products containing krill oil and pharmaceutical grade Omega-3 derived from highly refined, ultra-pure fish oil.

What is Krill?
Krill are small, shrimp-like crustaceans that live in the ocean and feed mainly on phytoplankton. Low on the food chain, they’re eaten by whales, fish, penguins, seals and squid. Krill have been harvested as a food source for humans and domesticated animals since the 19th century, and possibly even earlier in Japan. Large-scale fishing of krill developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and now occurs in Antarctic waters and in the seas around Japan. Over 95% of all harvested krill are used to make something called "fish meal," which is most oftenused as a feed for farm raised salmon. Approximately 2% of harvested krill is used to produce the krill oil found in Omega-3 products.
Products derived from krill oil are considerably more expensive than products derived from pharmaceutical grade fish oil due to several factors, including:

• • the low concentration of EPA/DHA in krill oil;
  • the high cost of krill oil processing methods;
  • relatively limited availability of krill, which are located and harvested near the South Pole;
  • the fact that krill must be processed into oil onboard the harvesting ships to avoid spoilage;
  • a limited harvest season of only a few months per year;
  • the high advertising costs required to promote a relatively new and unproven product to physicians and consumers

Krill as a source of Omega-3
Like fish oil, krill oil contains EPA/DHA. However, Omega-3 products derived from krill oil typically have EPA/DHA concentrations of only 15-24%, compared to the 85%+ in pharmaceutical grade Omega-3 products. Because of this low concentration, the number of servings of krill oil required to meet the recommended daily intake of EPA/DHA is significantly higher than for products containing pharmaceutical grade Omega-3 derived from fish. For example, one of the best selling krill oil products currently on the market contains 72 milligrams of EPA/DHA in each 300 milligram capsule.   The table below compares the number of capsules that would be required to meet the American Heart Association's (AHA) recommended daily intake of EPA/DHA, published in 2010, when taking this krill oil product versus our Ocean Blue®products and their daily cost.

Krill Oil/Ocean Blue Daily Dosage Comparison
AHA recommended daily intake of EPA/DHA	Krill Oil* daily requirement	Ocean Blue® 2100 daily requirement
As a preventative measure in healthy individuals (avg. 375 mg/day)	5 capsules	1 capsule every 3 days
History of coronary heart or cardiovascular disease (1,000 mg/day)	14 capsules	1 capsule
Triglyceride lowering (avg. 3,000 mg/day)	42 capsules	3 capsules
Approximate cost per month for average triglyceride lowering dose (3,000 mg/day)	$369/month	$30/month

*MegaRed Omega-3 Krill Oil by Schiff Nutrition Group

You have high triglycerides!  I am sure some of us have heard that statement from our physician.  How do you correct it?

About 1/3 of American's have been diagnosed with high triglycerides.  The causes range from inherited qualities to poor dietary choices.  Physicians have traditionally steered their patients toward prescription remedies combined with a diet or exercise plan.  Truth is, many of us don't follow the diet and exercise plan suggested.  We reach for the quick fix and hope it goes away.

There are some excellent dietary supplement at your pharmacy counter that are extremely effective in combatting high triglycerides.  What you want to look for are products with pure pharmeceutical grade, high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids.

Recent clinical studies have demonstrated that individuals at risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) benefit from consuming omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3FA) - DHA and EPA.  DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) are found mainly in marine foods, particulary cold water fish like salmon, sardines and herring. It is also found in varying amounts in algae.  However, we cannot on a regular basis consume this sea life due to many factors, such as high levels of mercury.

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in many foods we consume everyday.  The key is the amount each food contains and how it relates to the recommended daily allowance by the American Heart Association (AHA).  Omega-3 is found in anything from eggs, to baby formula to pet food.  What most people don't know is that a company can make a claim to have omega-3 fatty acids on their label by just having a trace of it in their products.  This amount is not helpful to anyone with a heart condition.

Physicians also recommend taking fish oil.  There are a variety of fish oil brands on the market.  It is an affordable option in dietary supplements.  In comparison to taking a highly concentrated omega-3, consuming fish oil is like eating an entire stick of butter.  It is generally high in fat and offers very little to the human body.

Recently, I tried Ocean Blue® Professional Omega-3 2100™ manufactured by Sancilio and Company in Riviera Beach, Florida.  I had consumed fish oil in the past.  I read some of the studies done with this product and found after taking it for six weeks (not religiously), that my triglycerides had dropped 40 points! It also has been great for my nails and hair.  I compared their label to some similar products on the market like MegaRed.  There is no comparison.  The supplement facts speak for themselves. 

So if you are trying an affordable option to lowering your high triglycerides, shop around.  Your local pharmacy should have this product to offer you instead of the more expensive prescription brands.