The Great Health Debate. Krill Oil Versus Fish Oil.

There is now very little doubt about the health benefits of the Omega 3 essential fatty acids DHA and EPA. The body of evidence supporting the conclusion that increasing our intake of the Omega 3 fats has to be good for us is growing steadily.

And for that reason sales of fish oil supplements are exploding. As more and more people begin to understand about the health risks of a low intake of the essential fatty acids DHA and EPA, commercial enterprises are catching on and selling fish oil supplements in their millions.

However there is a new player on the block. As well as fish oil supplements (and other boutique supplements such as flax seed supplements for vegetarians) there is now another option. Krill oil supplements.

If you've not heard of Krill before they are tiny shrimp like creatures which live in the oceans, particularly around Antarctica, and are the primary food sources of various creatures such as whales. In fact whales love to eat Krill.

Like fish there is also the Omega 3 essential fatty acids in Krill oil, and for this reason it is now quite possible to buy Krill oil supplements.

And this has sponsored a new debate, Krill oil versus fish oil. Which is better?

Of course it's always hard to know because there are varying opinions. Proponents of Krill oil supplements claim that the Krill oil is more effective than fish oil. They claim that studies show that as the essential fatty acids are combined with an antioxidant called astaxanthin they are more readily absorbed into your body and are more effective.

Critics point out that there is not a significant body of evidence to support this conclusion. Most of the scientific studies, of which there are few, have been sponsored by the company that sells Krill oil.

And it's quite possible to buy fish oil supplements that also have astaxanthin, which has health benefits of its own.

Secondly it is claimed that if you take Krill oil supplements you will not be subjected to what are generally called "fishy burps". That in fact is quite true, as some people do find that traditional fish oil supplements repeat on them.

However this is an indication of poor quality supplements, high quality Omega 3 capsules won't repeat.

There are also arguments about the sustainability of the fishery. Whilst as a general rule fish oil is harvested from fish is a byproduct of Krill oil is harvested from Krill which have been caught only for their oil. The fish would have been caught anyway, for people to eat, however if it were not for the oil the Krill would still be happily floating around the ocean.

And the National Geographic has reported that stocks of Krill have reduced by 80 percent since the 1970s, though this also is disputed.

Ultimately it is extremely hard to tell. Is Krill oil more bioavailable? Is it better for you? However the bottom line is that as a general rule krill oil capsules are roughly 10 times the price of fish oil capsules for the same amount of active ingredient.

So until there is much clear evidence, and a much bigger body of evidence, I take my fish oil supplements.