Searching for a krill oil brand isn’t easy with so many new brands springing up every month as one of the hottest products of 2024. After testing over a dozen brands, we’ve come up with our favorite 5.
While fish oil is a popular supplement that provides Omega 3 fatty acids, Omega-6, and other health benefits, unfortunately it contains mercury.
For that reason, many people choose Krill Oil products, a supplement containing many of the same benefits of Fish Oil but without the potential health risks.
What is Krill Oil? How do you find the best krill oil for your needs? Is it good for rheumatoid arthritis? Our complete guide has everything you need to know about this supplement, including five mini-reviews of brands you’ll want to consider.
Best Krill Oil Supplements
- Viva Naturals [#1 Choice]
- Onnit Krill Oil
- Sports Research Antarctic
- Dr. Mercola Krill Oil
- NOW Neptune
Our Reviews & Rankings
1. Viva Naturals Krill Oil Review [Our Top Pick]
Vive Naturals Krill Oil, in addition to actually being the best product for a great price, takes great pride in their ability to harvest only fresh, mercury-free Krill.
Since there are no other products it is great for those with dietary restrictions.
Their Krill harvesting methods are part of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, an international effort to protect fishing locations.
Krill are captured near Antarctica and processed directly on the ship to ensure maximum freshness.
The dose for a single capsule is 1250 mg. The recommended dosage is two capsules a day, If you follow that schedule, the bottle lasts about 4-5 weeks. This includes:
- 165 mg of EPA
- 95 mg of DHA
- High concentration of omega-3 fatty acid
Phospholipids help increase the ease of absorption and will help you with everything – cardiovascular, brain, and joint health.
Viva Naturals uses unique Capliques capsules. This banded seal keeps the product fresh. Plus, the unique capsule helps cut down on any fish taste. Incorporate into your diet and routine to see the benefits!
What We Like
- Pure Krill Oil with undetectable levels of Mercury
- Environmentally-safe Krill harvesting
- Unique capsules keep the oil fresher than other products
- Good customer support
- Great reviews from other users as well
What We Dislike
- Capsules can dissolve in bottle
- Excess use can cause headaches
2. Onnit Review (Runner Up)
This product has definitely earned our second best spot. The physical supplements are easy to down and the company uses sustainable harvesting to minimize the environmental impact.
A certified Friend of the Sea, no other types of sea creatures are captured along with the krill to make this product.
All krill are harvested in the remote Antarctic waters, far from any industrial areas and related pollutants to ensure a pure, healthy source.
The supplements support you by containing DHA, EPA, phospholipids and astaxanthin, making it very beneficial. It’s also a good source of of omega-3 fatty acid, helping consumers fight heart disease.
Regular use supports heart, joint and cognitive health. Onnit’s Krill Oil is designed for Total Human Optimization.
What We Like
- Harvesting practices reduce exposure to toxic chemicals
- Minimal fishy taste with no aftertaste
- Onnit has solid reputation for quality supplements and products
- Consistently solid reviews
What We Dislike
- Capsules have a fishy smell (but not taste)
- Expiration dates can be short
3. Sports Research Antarctic (Double Strength Support)
Krill Oil doesn’t just help treat and prevent health problems.
Regular use of the supplement also improves peak athletic performance, too.
Sports Research Antarctic Krill Oil is a product designed for athletes and anyone else who wants to boost their energy levels.
The advanced formula contains 1000mg of Krill Oil with EPA, DHA, Phospholipids and Astaxanthin.
Sports Research claims they have more of these ingredients than any other Krill Oil Supplement on the market so that their brand is more beneficial to athletes than competitors.
While that’s probably a bit of exaggeration, these soft gelcaps do pack a lot into a little. The Krill Oil is traceable from “sea to shelf.” The source is sustainably harvested for minimal impact on the environment.
The manufacturing process is both certified by the Marine Stewardship Council and has a five-star IKOS rating.
What We Like
- Water-dispersible fatty acids are easy to digest
- Environmentally-friendly harvesting practices
- Designed to boost energy and athletic performance
What We Dislike
- Capsules have a strong fishy odor
- Capsules can have an oily texture
4. Dr. Mercola Krill Oil Review
Most Krill Oil capsules are a bit fragile and tend to break open during shipping.
Dr. Mercola’s Krill Oil supplements is DHA and EPA approved and uses a hermetically-sealed protective Licaps capsule. This helps keeps the pills unbroken.
The Dr. Mercola brand practices sustainable harvesting. No non-krill species are captured. A unique harvesting process delivers the krill to the tanks alive, which allows for fresh processing – something other products and brands don’t do.
MSC certification ensures safe manufacturing processes from “boat to plate.”
What We Like
- Unique Licaps capsule helps prevent breakage
- Live harvesting promotes freshness
- Sustainable practices are environmentally friendly
What We Dislike
- Krill is the second ingredient
- Can cause fishy burps
5. NOW Neptune Krill Oil Review
Krill Oil capsules are a bit fragile and tend to break open during shipping.
Dr. Mercola’s supplements use a hermetically-sealed protective Licaps capsule. This helps keeps the pills unbroken.
The Dr. Mercola brand practices sustainable harvesting. No non-krill species are captured. A unique harvesting process delivers the krill to the tanks alive, which allows for fresh processing.
Neptune will help you with rheumatoid arthritis while also being sustainable. There is a best of both worlds.
What We Like
- Beyond Omega-3, also includes Omega-9 and more
- Softgel capsule for easy absorption
- Created under strict quality control supervision
What We Dislike
- Large pill sizes
- Capsules can burst inside bottle
Krill Oil Supplement FAQ
There are several things you’ll want to take into consideration.
Krill Explained
So, what are Krill?
They’re small, shrimp-like crustaceans with the scientific name Euphausia Superba. They have a pink appearance which is caused by the plankton they eat.
What’s In Krill Oil?
Krill contains the Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA and DHA which helps you in many areas including joint health.
These are the same fatty acids found in fish as well as some vegetables and other plants. Krill Oil also contains Phospholipid fatty acids, which help with Omega-3 absorption.
Finally, most Krill Oil products contain an antioxidant called astaxanthin which helps remove free radicals.
Is it safe to take Krill Oil every day?
It is absolutely safe to take krill oil every day however you should not exceed the recommended dosage. This is usually around 1,000 mg per day but can vary substantially based on the amount of DHA and EPA in the supplement. If you are supplementing krill oil to help in treating a medical condition it is best to consult your physician in regards to the necessary amount.
Krill Oil Benefits
Krill Oil doesn’t have just one benefit but many. Regular use of a Krill Oil supplement helps to provide the following:
Promotes Cardiovascular Health
Omega-3 improves heart health in several ways.
Regular product use reduces blood vessel inflammation.
Plus, Omega-3 lowers the rate of bad LDL cholesterol while also raising the levels of good HDL cholesterol. It also benefits diabetics by reducing inflammation and blood sugar.
Note that people on blood thinners should first talk to their doctor before taking Krill Oil supplements or similar products.
Krill Oil helps prevent the development of blood clots. While normally that’s a benefit, it can be a potential problem for anyone currently taking blood thinners.
Helps Prevent Arthritis And Other Inflammation
Omega-3 turns into a hormone called eicosanoid.
This hormone controls the levels of prostaglandins, a natural inflammatory which reduces CRP levels. Don’t worry too much about all the scientific terms.
Just know that Omega-3 helps reduce inflammation throughout the body. Every day use can help increase mobility while also reducing pain for arthritis sufferers.
Helps Promote Fetus Development
Pregnant women are often encouraged to take a Krill Oil supplement since it is good for brain health.
Omega-3 helps the growing fetus develop a healthy nervous system, brain and eyes. Unlike fish oil, you don’t have to worry about any mercury harming the fetus.
Of course, pregnant women will want to consult with their doctor before taking any supplements, this included.
Promotes Detoxification
Krill Oil helps the liver function properly.
The liver is responsible for the body’s detoxification. Regular use helps the liver remove toxins from your bloodstream efficiently.
The Difference Between Krill Oil And Fish Oil
Certain fish may contain mercury, which can be especially harmful to pregnant women and young children.
The FDA recommends limiting potential exposure by eating no more than six ounces of fish per week. Unfortunately, daily use of fish oil can potentially exceed this level, making it a potentially dangerous product.
Krill Oil contains a drastically reduced risk of mercury exposure. This is because Krill are far lower on the food chain than fish.
So Krill generally contain lower levels of both mercury and other pollutants.
Plus, the Omega-3 fatty acids in Krill Oil are absorbed differently than the ones found in Fish Oil.
Krill Oil Omega-3 is absorbed in phospholipid form. This helps regulate cholesterol levels.
Krill Oil is generally more effective than Fish Oil is helping to reduce artery and cardiovascular disease.
There are a few precautions you’ll want to keep in mind before taking Krill Oil. First, you should never take more than the recommended dosage.
Also, Krill Oil should be avoided by anyone with a fish or shrimp allergy. Consult with your doctor to ensure the supplement won’t conflict with any medications you’re currently taking.
How To Purchase The Best Krill Oil Supplement
Not all supplement brands are the same. When shopping for a Krill Oil Supplement, here are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind:
Amount Of Krill Oil
The supplement should contain at least 750 mg.
The amount has a direct effect on the benefits provided so be sure to pay attention to dosage. Avoid any brand which attempts to pad their supplement with additives.
Quality Of Brand
Look for a krill oil brand with an established reputation.
Many lesser-known or newer companies use generic Krill harvested with unsafe methods. You’ll want Krill Oil created in a pure, tested laboratory.
Support Sustainable Harvesting Practices
Harvesting krill doesn’t need to have a negative impact on the environment.
You want a product that has tight controls over the harvesting methods used.
Look for certifications from environmental organizations. Another factor to consider is whether other types of sea creatures are captured.
Conclusion
Krill Oil has numerous benefits for your heart, liver and more.
But just because a supplement contains Krill doesn’t mean they’re all the same.
How the Krill are harvested and how the oil is manufactured will have a big impact on the quality and effectiveness.
Each Krill oil brand on our list is high quality, but our top recommendation is the Viva Naturals Krill Oil.
Krill are only harvested from the fresh waters of the Southern Ocean of Antarctica using sustainable practices as part of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. Good for the environment and good for you, too.
Capsules are small but pack a punch. Just two capsules a day delivers 1250 mg of Krill Oil including both EPA and DHA.
Plus, the nutrients are able to be easily absorbed by your body thanks to the banded Capliques capsules. With no fishy aftertaste, swallowing the pills is simple and pleasant.
Our runner-up for the best krill oil supplement is the Dr. Mercola Krill Oil 1000 mg – 60 Capsules.
If you’ve encountered problems with broken pills, you’ll like Dr. Mercola’s unique protective capsule. Prevents broken capsules from covering the entire shipment.
If you’re looking for a health supplement with the same benefits as Fish Oil, but without any of the potential downsides, Krill Oil can be an excellent option.
Regular use helps promote heart health, reduces inflammation, promotes fetal development, and more.
With no fishy aftertaste, Krill Oil is light and easy for consumption. Although small in size, Krill has big health benefits for your entire body.
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Our team at The Fitness Tribe often collaborates together to produce content. Many times the content is not written by a single author, instead it is usually a team effort.