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Host: All right, let's go to another one. This is krill oil versus fish oil, from Maryville, Tennessee: is krill oil better and more effective than fish oil? Before you answer, just explain to us — what is krill oil? I don't think people have really heard of it, and what is the difference between the two?
Dr. Stengler: Krill oil is a popular supplement now. It comes from shrimp-like crustaceans you find in the ocean, like in the Arctic, and it is rich in essential fatty acids just like regular fish oil. People take fish oil and they're getting two main essential fatty acids, one called EPA and another called DHA — good for your brain, your immune system, your heart and arteries, and your skin — and krill oil contains those too. Krill oil also contains omega-9 fatty acids, which are very important; you don't hear about omega-9s very often, usually with olive oil, and that's one of the reasons it's so healthy. Krill oil also contains some naturally occurring antioxidants, one called astaxanthin, which is a very potent antioxidant that has been shown to help prevent heart disease and is very good for the eyes. That's the advantage with krill oil.
However, krill oil is a weaker supplement in terms of the EPA and DHA we talked about. So, for example, if a patient has very severe arthritis or severe cardiovascular problems, you'd want to use a high dose of fish oil instead of krill oil. If you're generally a healthy person, krill oil is a good choice and you'll get those extra antioxidants.
Host: Are there any allergy concerns with krill oil versus fish oil?
Dr. Stengler: Not typically. If you're allergic to certain fish like anchovies — a lot of fish oil can come from anchovies, or salmon and tuna — you want to make sure of the source. Some people are allergic to shellfish, so you want to have some caution with krill oil; it's not common, but it's always possible. But you can take them both at the same time — I actually take both, I alternate them.
We hear a lot about fish oil out there, but we don't hear much about krill oil. Why not? Krill oil contains a lot of the same essential fatty acids as fish oil, and also contains some naturally-occurring antioxidants as well as the less-often talked about omega-9 acids. It's a prudent alternative for those allergic to certain types of fish but not allergic to shellfish. In this video, Dr. Stengler goes over the differences between fish oil and krill oil, and describes the advantages of each -- as well as why he takes both...If you need to be tested for fish allergies, contact the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine and make an appointment today!
