Research and videos
Krill oil: the research and Kevin's videos
Is krill oil better than fish oil for the APOE4 brain?
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This page has no results from Phoenix members yet. It shows what published research says, and what Kevin and the experts say in his videos.
See what Phoenix members have measuredIs krill oil better than fish oil for the APOE4 brain?
Krill oil raises blood omega-3 levels, but when the EPA and DHA amounts are matched it may do no better than fish oil: most small trials found similar levels, one found krill ahead. Its advantage for the brain is shown only in mice and only after a special treatment that turns it into LPC forms. Check the EPA and DHA on the label and track your omega-3 index.
What the research says
Grade CAPOE4-specific evidence: none
Matched for dose, krill oil may raise omega-3 levels no better than fish oil, and there is no human evidence of an extra brain benefit.
Key studies
Yurko-Mauro 2015, Lipids Health DisGrade B
Randomized: at the same EPA and DHA dose, krill oil and fish oil gave similar blood and red-cell omega-3 levels.
Read on PubMed (opens in a new tab)Vosskotter 2023, LipidsGrade B
12-week randomized study: krill, fish and Calanus oil raised the omega-3 index equally.
Read on PubMed (opens in a new tab)Ramprasath 2013, Lipids Health DisGrade B
24-person crossover trial: krill oil raised the omega-3 index more than fish oil at the same omega-3 amount.
Read on PubMed (opens in a new tab)
2 more key studies
Ulven 2011, Lipids
Krill oil had metabolic effects similar to fish oil at a lower EPA and DHA dose.
Read on PubMed (opens in a new tab)Yalagala 2020, Mol Nutr Food ResGrade D
Animal or lab study
Animal study: only lipase-treated krill oil (which makes LPC forms) raised brain DHA and EPA; plain krill and fish oil barely did.
Read on PubMed (opens in a new tab)
What Kevin and experts say
2 passages for, 1 with a caution, 1 also discussed
Now showing: Dr. Kevin Tran · 8:44
Open on YouTube (opens in a new tab)For2 passages
Krill oil gets some DHA to the brain indirectly.
“carries its omega-3 as phospholipid DHA, and your gut can convert some of that into LPC-DHA”
Dr. Kevin Tran, Founder of The Phoenix Community, Doctor of Pharmacy, APOE4/4 carrier
Kevin calls krill a step up for the brain: some DHA converts to LPC-DHA.
Dr. Kevin Tran
Watch the Short on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
With a caution1 passage
Krill oil can be rancid without you knowing.
“a lot of times it ends up being rancid and it's very difficult to tell”
Dr. Grant Fraser, Board-certified anti-aging and family medicine physician, APOE4 carrier
Also discussed1 passage
Kevin: krill usually needs less, costs more, so check certification.
“On krill, you usually need less for the same effect”
Dr. Kevin Tran, Founder of The Phoenix Community, Doctor of Pharmacy, APOE4/4 carrier
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