A new pilot study, conducted by researchers at the University of Florida in collaboration with ingredient supplier Aker BioMarine (Lysaker, Norway), suggests daily krill oil supplementation may help reduce chronic muscle and joint pain in older adults.
Participants who took krill oil (Superba, 4 g daily) showed a substantial increase in blood omega-3 levels, rising from 4.3 percent to 7.4 percent. This shift moved participants closer to the optimal omega-3 index range of 8-12 percent, which is associated with the greatest protective health benefits. Since low omega-3 levels are common worldwide and linked to chronic health concerns, improving omega-3 status through diet or supplementation is an important step toward supporting overall wellness.
The findings are preliminary, but those in the krill oil group showed trends toward lower pain intensity and a lower rate of painful body sites, suggesting potential for managing chronic pain, supporting healthier aging and improve quality of life.
“Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a leading cause of disability among older adults globally, therefore, there is a clear need for safe, acceptable, and effective non-pharmacological approaches, especially for older adults who often live with multiple chronic conditions and use multiple medications,” said Javier A. Tamargo, PhD, RDN, postdoctoral fellow, Pain Research & Intervention Center of Excellence at the University of Florida. “We were encouraged by the high acceptability and satisfaction reported by participants in this pilot study, as well as the clinically meaningful improvements in omega-3 status. We also observed preliminary signals suggesting that krill oil may support pain management, although larger and longer studies are needed to determine whether these effects translate into meaningful improvements in daily function.”
“For years, we have advanced research in healthy aging through partnerships with leading institutions and active participation in open innovation initiatives, and we believe this study marks a meaningful step forward,” added Line Johnsen, senior vice president of human health ingredients R&D at Aker BioMarine. “Our previous research has shown that krill oil can play a valuable role in supporting joint and muscle health, among other benefits. And while these findings are still preliminary, they add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that krill oil may be an effective nutritional approach for managing pain and helping to reduce mobility limitations and functional decline in aging populations.”
For more information, visit www.akerbiomarine.com.
