This is Monica Reinagle.

Welcome to the Nutrition Divas Quick and Dirty Tips for eating well and feeling fabulous.

I've gotten at least a half a dozen requests lately from listeners who want me to weigh in on

krill oil. It's a new omega-3 supplement that's being heavily marketed right now.

I'm sure you're aware of the many health benefits of omega-3 fats.

They can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke,

reduce pain from arthritis and other inflammatory conditions,

improve your triglyceride and blood glucose levels,

and they might even help protect against depression, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease.

Because most of us don't eat fish more than once or twice a week,

lots of people take fish oil as a dietary supplement

just to ensure that they're getting a steady supply.

Now, along comes Krill oil, a new source of omega-3s that's supposed to be even better for you than fish oil.

Of course, it's also a lot more expensive.

So let's take a closer look at what advantages CRIL oil might or might not offer and whether it's really worth the premium price.

So what is a CRIL? Most fish oil supplements contain oil extracted from Manhattan, anchovies, mackerel, cod, salmon, or tuna.

Now CRIL are not fish, but a type of crustacean related to the shrimp.

And by the way, if you have a shellfish allergy,

krill oil is probably not for you.

In addition to omega-3 fatty acids,

krill oil contains astazanthin,

an antioxidant from the keratinoid family.

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