Krill oil may be beneficial to muscle function and size in healthy people over the age of 65, according to new research.
The study - led by the
Krill oil supplements
The research found that healthy adult participants who had received daily krill oil supplementation for six months showed statistically and clinically significant increases in muscle function and size.
Krill oil contains high concentrations of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which previous scientific studies have shown are important nutrients for the body as it ages.
The randomized, double blind, controlled trial included 102 men and women all above 65 years of age. The participants were relatively inactive to engaging in less than one hour of self-reported exercise each week on entry to the study.
The participants were randomly divided into two groups, a control group that received the placebo and a test group that received four grams per day of Superba krill oil from industry collaborator
The study found that participants receiving daily krill oil supplements showed the following improvements (from baseline) at the end of the study:
Increase in thigh muscle strength (9.3%), grip strength (10.9%) and thigh muscle thickness (3.5%), relative to control group.
Increase in red blood cell fatty acid profile for EPA 214%, DHA 36% and the omega-3 index 61%, relative to control group.
Increased M-Wave of 17% (relative to the control group), which shows the excitability of muscle membranes.
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The paper, 'The effect of krill oil supplementation on skeletal muscle function and size in older adults: A randomised controlled trial', is published in Clinical Nutrition.
Enquiries: ali.howard@glasgow.ac.uk or elizabeth.mcmeekin@glasgow.ac.uk / 0141 330 6557 or 0141 330 4831
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