The effect of krill oil supplementation on skeletal muscle function and size in older adults: A randomised controlled trial.

What this study found

Krill oil supplementation produced a favorable effect on muscle outcomes over 6 months. Compared with placebo, knee extensor strength increased by 9.3% (95% CI 2.8, 15.8; p<0.05), grip strength increased by 10.9% (95% CI 8.3, 13.6; p<0.05), and vastus lateralis muscle thickness increased by 3.5% (95% CI 2.1, 4.9). The intervention also increased M-wave by 25.4% (95% CI 12.7, 38.1%) and raised erythrocyte EPA by 214% (95% CI 166, 262%), DHA by 36% (95% CI 24, 48%), and omega-3 index by 61% (95% CI 49, 73%). Functional performance tests and C-reactive protein did not improve, and insulin,…

Study & population

Randomized controlled trial in healthy men and women older than 65 years with BMI < 35 kg/m2 and little structured exercise, conducted in the Glasgow area, United Kingdom.

Intervention

Oral krill oil was given at 4 g/day for 6 months, taken as two capsules with lunch and two with dinner.

Key limitation

The trial was conducted in relatively healthy older adults, so the findings may not generalize to people with sarcopenia, frailty, or greater baseline impairment.

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