Which is the best choice? Fish oil, krill oil, or calamari oil, for minimize cell damage related to ageing

Despite a seemingly unbalanced diet of fish and few plant foods, the Inuit (Eskimos) had almost no heart

disease, puzzling medical professionals during the mid-1900s. Fast forward to the 21st century and we

now fully appreciate the protective role omega-3 fats – particularly foods with DHA – play in human

health. Sourced from natural oils in marine life, omega-3s are proven to promote heart health and brain

function, reduce inflammation, and counteract other downfalls of ageing and modern life.

Fish oil

Comparing equivalent-sized capsules, basic strength fish oil contains double the source DHA benefits of

krill oil, but only a quarter of that of calamari oil. A plus is that, as fish oil capsules are the cheapest to

produce per gram of DHA, they are less expensive than other varieties. On the downside, fish oil’s

omega-3 is in a triglyceride form which may not be entirely absorbed, and most varieties have a fishy

aftertaste.

Sustainable? Fish oil is the least sustainable of the three varieties, given over-fishing of many species.

Choose brands which emphasise sustainable harvesting. Choose fish oil to: Support a healthy brain and

memory function; support eye health and retinal function; support circulation, blood pressure and

cholesterol levels; reduce inflammation associated with arthritis.

Krill oil

This contains natural astaxanthin, the most powerful antioxidant in existence. It is 500 times more

potent than vitamin E and particularly useful for minimizing age-related cell damage. However, the DHA

quantity in krill oil is the lowest of all marine omega-3 supplements, making it the most expensive when

comparing DHA quantity gram for gram. On the positive side, krill oil comes in a phospholipid rather

than triglyceride form, thought to be better and faster absorbed. Krill also have no detectable mercury

levels so potential for toxicity is nil, unlike fish. No fishy aftertaste either.

Sustainable? Krill is reportedly the most abundant marine biomass and harvested at levels far lower

than international catch limits. Pick brands which emphasise sustainable management.

Choose krill oil to: Reduce inflammation and joint swelling associated with arthritis; minimise age-

related oxidant damage to skin, organs, and other cells.

Calamari oil

Per gram, calamari oil has more DHA benefits sources than fish and krill oil combined. However the cost

is more than triple that of fish oil. It is cheaper to take 2-3 fish oil capsules than one calamari oil capsule,

which provides equivalent amounts of DHA. Like fish oil, calamari oil comes in the triglyceride form that

may only be partially absorbed. Calamari has low mercury levels and no fishy smell or taste.

Sustainable? Look for the ‘Sustainable Harvesting’ logo. Choose calamari oil to: Get the same benefits of

fish oil, but at a premium price. It is arguably more sustainable than fish oil. The final verdict? Fish oil is

still the first recommendation because of its value for money when comparing quantities of DHA.

If your budget is wide open, calamari oil may be a more sustainable option in the long term. Krill oil is

the better choice for fast-acting relief of osteoarthritic joint pain, or combating signs of ageing. It is also

sustainable and contains low mercury levels.