But now, fish oil pills aren't your only option for a boost of anti-inflammatory DHA and EPA. Krill oil—a relative newcomer to the supplement aisle, which you may have seen sold as the popular Mega Red Krill Oil—boasts an impressive fatty acid profile, along with a few other nutrients that regular fish oil is missing. Which raises the question, is krill oil the better option?

The resulting oil is rich in the same types of omega-3s as fish oil, EPA, and DHA. In addition to these healthy fats, it contains some other promising nutritional perks. Because krill feed mainly on phytoplankton, which is rich in the carotenoid antioxidant astaxanthin, krill oil also contains this antioxidant.

Another difference: Across brands, krill oil is significantly more expensive than fish oil. But, according to several accounts, it's also far less likely to give you "fish burps" due to its phospholipid structure (which, honestly, might be worth the money).

While it hasn't been nearly as well-researched as fish oil, preliminary studies suggest krill oil holds promise for a variety of conditions, from high cholesterol to premenstrual syndrome. Many krill oil benefits are similar to those of fish oil and can likely be attributed to the omega-3s EPA and DHA. A few studies, however, suggest that krill oil may be more effective than fish oil for certain conditions, but higher quality research is needed to confirm these. Here are some of the most promising krill oil benefits to date:

In another study10 comparing krill oil (500 mg per day) and purified omega-3s (1,000 mg per day), krill oil was found to be more effective at raising "good" HDL cholesterol and reducing C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation.

PMS is no joke. So the idea of finding a natural remedy is pretty appealing. The good news: Several studies show that fish oil may help and that krill oil may be even better, thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties. In one study11, women who typically suffered from PMS were assigned 1 g of either krill oil or fish oil twice a day for three months. Women taking the krill oil took significantly less pain medication compared to women taking the fish oil, and researchers concluded that the krill oil significantly reduced cramps as well as the emotional symptoms of PMS. (If PMS is a problem for you, consider these five more natural cures for PMS!)

Omega-3s have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in the body—and these may translate to very real benefits for people with painful joints. In one study12, subjects with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis received a daily 300-mg dose of krill oil or a placebo for 30 days. Within just seven to 14 days, most patients taking the krill oil experienced a reduction in pain symptoms, along with a reduction in the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein.

So it would make sense that supplementing with a DHA-rich omega-3 supplement like krill oil may help brain health—and research is beginning to support this. While supplementing with omega-3s may not help people with established Alzheimer's or dementia, one study16 found that it improved attention, processing speed, and recall among people with mild cognitive impairment. Additionally, an animal study17 found that krill oil helped improve cognitive function, reduce anxiety, and reduce levels of beta-amyloid, a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Adding to their mental perks, omega-3s have been found to help alleviate stress and stress-related damage, too. One study18 found that taking a daily fish oil supplement (containing 60 mg of EPA and 252 mg of DHA) for just three weeks reduced several stress markers including cortisol and adrenaline. While this study was done with fish oil, krill oil would likely have similar benefits if taken at a dose containing sufficient EPA and DHA content. EPA, specifically, seems to be very beneficial for regulating mood and behavior, says Dr. Hyman.

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help support our body's endocannabinoid system (ECS)—a network of enzymes and receptors that play a role in regulating pain, stress, anxiety, and inflammation. Basically, the ECS interacts with compounds called cannabinoids that we either produce naturally in our body (from omega-3s that we've consumed) or that we ingest directly (from plants like hemp, via CBD oil). These compounds then bind to cannabinoid receptors in the body, which are believed to help mediate pain and boost the immune system. So consuming enough omega-3s—from sources like krill oil, fish oil, and fatty fish—is crucial for keeping the ECS functioning optimally. This is important because the ECS may play a role in many of the benefits listed above.

While you shouldn't toss your sunscreen just yet, research on humans does show that supplementation with omega-3s (whether from krill oil, fish oil, or plant-based omega-3s) provides a layer of photoprotection19 that helps keep inflammation in check and protect you from the sun's harmful UV rays. Additionally, lab research19 suggests that EPA, specifically, may reduce collagen damage caused by repeated exposure to UV radiation. Krill oil also happens to be one of Dr. Frank Lipman's favorite supplements for healthy summer skin (along with alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin D3), thanks to its astaxanthin content, which, he says, "supports skin health and helps protect against sun damage."

Omega-3 supplements like krill oil could interact with blood-thinning medications such as Coumadin (warfarin), since omega-3s also have a mild blood-thinning effect. But you may still be able to take krill oil while on one of these medications if the dose is low enough. Typically, problems don't arise unless the krill oil dose exceeds 3 g (3,000 mg), but consult with your doctor to be sure. It's also recommended to avoid krill oil for two weeks leading up to surgery so it doesn't interfere with blood clotting.

To ensure you're getting a krill oil supplement low in environmental toxins, seek out a brand that's been tested by an organization like The International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS). They test for lead, mercury, and PCBs and verify the omega-3 content listed on the label. Some IFOS certified brands include Nutratec Life Sciences and Nutrigold. You can search for the full list of product reports on the IFOS website here.

Krill oil is an effective means of boosting blood levels of the health-promoting omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, and it likely delivers many of the benefits that have been attributed to omega-3 fats from other sources. It also offers some unique benefits, thanks to its astaxanthin content. However, research is still inconclusive as to whether krill oil works as well or better than fish oil, and we won't know the answer until more comprehensive studies are performed. Overall, krill looks promising and is likely safe if you pick a reputable brand, but most doctors don't necessarily recommend it over a quality fish oil supplement at this time, especially given the increased cost.