The effectiveness of krill versus fish oil has been a hotly-debated topic--among those who maintain health and wellness as a top priority, at least. On the surface, it appears that the results of most current research studies point to a clear win for the krill. But if you look more closely into the matter, the facts are clearly on the side of the fish. 

According to a recent study, krill oil has effects similar to fish oil on serum lipids, oxidative stress and inflammation--and it supposedly works with lower EPA/DHA dosing. According to the study:

"A total of 113 participants ... were randomized into three groups. Thirty-six were given 6 capsules of 3g krill oil a day, with 543 mg of EHA and DHA; 40 were given 3 capsules of 1.8g fish oil a day, with 864 mg of EPA and DHA ... The remaining 37 received no supplementation ... [T]here was a significant increase in plasma EPA, DHA, and DPA in both the krill oil and fish oil groups ... and no significant differences were seen between the fish oil and the krill oil groups. The EPA + DHA dose in the krill was 62.8 % of that in the fish oil."  Lipids October 2010 10.1007/s11745-010-3490-4

What the study doesn't mention, however, is more important than what is does. And the resulting errors of omission are important enough to examine more closely:   

1. The study was based on the use of an ethyl ester fish oil formula, which have been shown to be 25% less effective than those that are processed in a natural triglyceride form. A better DIRECT comparison would have been to match krill againt Pharmax Ultra EPA/DHA, our hands-down favorite fish oil. This substitution would have reduced the required dose of fish oil by a quarter, negating the study's krill-biased conclusion. 

2. Based on my personal experience, which includes tracking and monitoring hundreds of user results, the krill oil dosage amounts used in this study were not even close to being sufficient, given that an optimum Omega 3 levels should register at around 9%. 

3. The study overlooked the real issues at hand, which are not really about the absorption rates or health benefits of the two products in question. The bottom line in making the krill versus fish oil decision is one of dosing requirements and, therfore, cost.

Krill oil dosing in the above-mentioned study was 6 gel caps per day. All equivalents being equal, that means 629 mg--or 18 capsules--of krill oil (the true equivalent of 1800 mg of EPA/DHA fish oil) would be needed to achieve an optimal Omega 3 level. That's right: 18 capsules per day. 

Dr. Mercola, one of krill's biggest online proponents, sells a $25.00 bottle of krill oil which includes 30 servings of 2 capsules each (for a total of 140 mg of EPA/DHA in each dose). Regardless of what the label says, this amount of EPA/DHA is far too low. Making a measurable and positive difference in any given individual's Omega 3 fatty acid levels would require the use of 24 capsules of this particular product PER DAY, just to achieve a dosing similar to that provided by just 3 capsules of Pharmax fish oil.

Let's do the math: One bottle of Mercola's krill formula every 2 and 1/2 days at $24 per bottle = $284.00 per month. One bottle of Pharmax fish oil every 30 days at $29.00 = $29.00.  

That's a HUGE savings that simply cannot be overlooked! What to do with all that extra cash? You'll have more than enough to cover the cost of the synergistic supplements every athlete (or health-minded person) should be taking on a regular and ongoing basis--astaxanthin, vitamin D and a food-based muti will all enhance the effectiveness of any EPA/DHA product.

Time to start buying your nutritional supplements from a company you can actually trust? Visit www.bioletics.com and start buidling a better body today!