Gleauty

If you hear a lot about omega-3 fatty acids, it’s for good reason. These micronutrients are not only critical for some basic bodily functions — and even make up the membranes of our cells — but also plenty of research indicates that they may help lower the risk of many chronic diseases, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

“Omega-3 fats are beneficial for heart, brain, and cell health,” says Vicki Shanta Retelny, RDN, the Chicago-based creator of the podcast Nourishing Notes.

While eating seafood is one of the best ways to get these ever-important omega-3 fatty acids, most Americans don’t eat enough of it, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports. Fish oil supplements have long been promoted as a way to bridge that nutritional gap in typical Western diets, but they aren’t the only way to get your omega-3s in supplement form. In fact, there are claims that krill oil, which comes from tiny Antarctic crustaceans, may be a better source of the fatty acid. Here, discover all you need to know about krill oil and whether the supplement is right for you.