Krill oil increases plasma omega-3 fatty acids more than fish oil in healthy adults: a double-blind randomized controlled trial
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FAs), particularly EPA and DHA, are recognized for their health benefits. However, their circulating levels after supplementation may be modulated by several factors, including sex, carriage of the apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE4) allele, and the chemical form of the supplement. Krill oil delivers ω-3 FAs primarily as phospholipids, whereas fish oil provides them as triglycerides. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare EPA and DHA concentrations after supplementation with krill oil and fish oil and assess whether sex and APOE4 genotype modify responses to supplementation. METHODS: This double-blind, randomized clinical trial included 72 healthy adults (53 females, 19 males) matched for age and BMI. Participants received 1.1 g/d ω-3 FAs through either krill oil (n = 36) or fish oil (n = 36) for 12 wk. Plasma FAs were measured at baseline and at weeks 1, 2, 4, and 12 by GC-flame ionization detection. Differences in plasma ω-3 FAs concentrations by treatment, sex, and APOE4 status were analyzed. RESULTS: Time-by-treatment interactions were significant for plasma delta over baseline concentrations of EPA (P = 0.0001) and DHA (P = 0.005), with krill oil resulting in ∼1.5-fold higher Δ EPA and Δ DHA compared with fish oil. The time-by-sex interaction was significant only for EPA (P = 0.026), with females having a 1.5-fold greater increase than males at 12 wk. After supplementation with either krill oil or fish oil, APOE4 carriers had 3-fold and 1.6-fold higher EPA and DHA, respectively, compared with baseline; however, these increases were not significantly different from those found in noncarriers. CONCLUSIONS: Krill oil increased plasma ω-3 FAs more than fish oil, regardless of APOE4 genotype. Individuals with higher ω-3 FA requirements may achieve adequate enrichment with lower doses of krill oil compared with fish oil supplementation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04279743.
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BibTeX
@article{loukil2026krill,
title = {{Krill oil increases plasma omega-3 fatty acids more than fish oil in healthy adults: a double-blind randomized controlled trial}},
author = {Insaf Loukil and Annick Vachon and Artuela Çaku and Mélanie Plourde},
journal = {The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.ajcnut.2026.101346},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05790347v1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Krill oil increases plasma omega-3 fatty acids more than fish oil in healthy adults: a double-blind randomized controlled trial
AU - Insaf Loukil
AU - Annick Vachon
AU - Artuela Çaku
AU - Mélanie Plourde
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/09
JO - The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
DO - 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2026.101346
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05790347v1
AB - BACKGROUND: Omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FAs), particularly EPA and DHA, are recognized for their health benefits. However, their circulating levels after supplementation may be modulated by several factors, including sex, carriage of the apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE4) allele, and the chemical form of the supplement. Krill oil delivers ω-3 FAs primarily as phospholipids, whereas fish oil provides them as triglycerides. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare EPA and DHA concentrations after supplementation with krill oil and fish oil and assess whether sex and APOE4 genotype modify responses to supplementation. METHODS: This double-blind, randomized clinical trial included 72 healthy adults (53 females, 19 males) matched for age and BMI. Participants received 1.1 g/d ω-3 FAs through either krill oil (n = 36) or fish oil (n = 36) for 12 wk. Plasma FAs were measured at baseline and at weeks 1, 2, 4, and 12 by GC-flame ionization detection. Differences in plasma ω-3 FAs concentrations by treatment, sex, and APOE4 status were analyzed. RESULTS: Time-by-treatment interactions were significant for plasma delta over baseline concentrations of EPA (P = 0.0001) and DHA (P = 0.005), with krill oil resulting in ∼1.5-fold higher Δ EPA and Δ DHA compared with fish oil. The time-by-sex interaction was significant only for EPA (P = 0.026), with females having a 1.5-fold greater increase than males at 12 wk. After supplementation with either krill oil or fish oil, APOE4 carriers had 3-fold and 1.6-fold higher EPA and DHA, respectively, compared with baseline; however, these increases were not significantly different from those found in noncarriers. CONCLUSIONS: Krill oil increased plasma ω-3 FAs more than fish oil, regardless of APOE4 genotype. Individuals with higher ω-3 FA requirements may achieve adequate enrichment with lower doses of krill oil compared with fish oil supplementation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04279743.
SN - 0002-9165
SN - 1938-3207
ER -