Krill Oil for Triglyceride Reduction
Krill oil lowers triglycerides but delivers far less EPA and DHA per capsule.
Overview
Verdict
How It Works
Dosing & Protocol
Typical dose
- Recommended dose
- Doses matching 2g EPA+DHA
- Expected timeframe
- 8-12 weeks
Protocol
- form
- Not applicable
- duration
- Not applicable
- co factor
- Evidence is insufficient. The dose is the problem. Prescription omega-3 lowers triglycerides substantially, but that requires roughly 2-4 g/day of combined EPA and DHA - typical krill oil capsules supply only 50-150 mg per capsule, so reaching a therapeutic dose would need 15-30 capsules daily at considerable cost. Trials of krill oil at 1-4 g/day report small and inconsistent triglyceride changes, with some showing no significant effect versus placebo. Krill phospholipid-bound omega-3 may be somewhat better absorbed than triglyceride-form fish oil, but that modest advantage does not compensate for delivering a fraction of the required dose. For triglyceride lowering specifically, high-dose fish oil or prescription omega-3 is the evidence-based option.
- titration
- Not applicable
- starting dose
- Not applicable as an established treatment for high triglycerides
Evidence
What the studies say
Effect of krill oil on plasma triglycerides in adults with borderline high or high triglyceride levels: a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Berge K, Musa-Veloso K, Harwood M +2 more
Krill oil significantly reduced plasma triglycerides relative to placebo without raising LDL cholesterol, with a dose-related trend.
Safety
Caveats
Much more expensive per gram of omega-3. Avoid with shellfish allergy.
Less likely to help if
Medical Disclaimer
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Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.