Krill Oil EPA and DHA Content
Krill oil contains EPA and DHA but in lower concentrations than fish oil, making it a moderate rather than high source of these beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. 1
EPA and DHA Content in Krill Oil
Krill oil contains the same omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) found in fish oil, but with some important differences:
- Krill oil typically provides approximately 92 mg of DHA and 193 mg of EPA per standard dose 2
- This is significantly less than what's found in standard fish oil supplements, which often contain 251 mg of DHA and 491 mg of EPA 2
- The EPA:DHA ratio in krill oil is approximately 2:1, compared to a similar ratio in fish oil 2
Bioavailability Considerations
While krill oil contains lower absolute amounts of EPA and DHA, there are some bioavailability factors to consider:
- EPA and DHA in krill oil are primarily bound to phospholipids, whereas in fish oil they are bound to triglycerides 1, 3
- Some research suggests krill oil may have higher bioavailability than fish oil, with one study showing a larger 72-hour incremental area under the curve for EPA and DHA in plasma phospholipids after krill oil consumption compared to fish oil 1
- The phospholipid content of krill oil appears to impact bioavailability, with higher phospholipid krill oil showing better incorporation of EPA and DHA into red blood cells 4
Clinical Implications
For cardiovascular and other health benefits:
- The American Heart Association recommends 1g/day of combined EPA+DHA for general cardiovascular protection 5
- For documented coronary heart disease, 1g/day of combined EPA+DHA is recommended 5
- For elevated triglycerides, 2-4g/day of EPA+DHA is recommended 5
- Standard krill oil doses would require multiple capsules to reach these therapeutic levels
Safety Profile
Krill oil appears to have a favorable safety profile:
- Generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects 6
- May cause mild gastrointestinal effects, fishy aftertaste, or fish belching 2
- No significant differences in adverse events compared to placebo in clinical trials 2
- Caution advised in patients taking ibrutinib, as fish oil supplements have been associated with epistaxis in these patients 2
Practical Considerations
When considering krill oil as an EPA/DHA source:
- Higher doses would be needed to match the EPA and DHA content of standard fish oil supplements
- The omega-3 index (a measure of EPA+DHA in red blood cells) should ideally be >8% for optimal cardiovascular protection 5
- Krill oil with higher phospholipid content may offer better bioavailability 4
While krill oil does contain EPA and DHA, it would not be considered a "high" source compared to fish oil or concentrated omega-3 supplements. For those seeking therapeutic doses of EPA and DHA, higher amounts of krill oil or alternative omega-3 sources may be necessary to achieve recommended intake levels.