Krill Oil Supplementation Supports Reductions in Self-Reported Pain: Pilot Study

Daily krill oil supplementation appeared to reduce measures of self-reported pain in a recent pilot study on a population of older adults who reported chronic muscle and joint pain at baseline. The findings of the study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Florida in collaboration with Aker BioMarine, were published in the Journal of Nutrition.

The 12-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of krill oil supplementation on pain and physical function in 40 adults aged 60 years and older who reported chronic musculoskeletal pain. Krill oil was safe, well-tolerated, and showed early signs of benefits compared to a placebo.

Participants who took four grams of Aker BioMarine’s Superba Boost daily saw an increase in blood omega-3 levels, rising from 4.3% to 7.4%, closer to the optimal range of 8-12%, which is shown to offer the greatest protective health benefits in research.

While the findings are early, the krill group showed trends toward lower pain intensity, and a lower rate of painful body sites, suggesting a potential benefit.

“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 at the University of Florida’s Pain Research & Intervention Center of Excellence. “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 to 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,” said Line Johnsen, SVP 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.”

“I am excited to collaborate with Aker BioMarine to build on these findings and further evaluate krill oil as a strategy for chronic pain management and healthier aging trajectories in older adults, while also exploring the biological pathways that may underlie these effects,” said Tamargo.