Healthy aging: Aker BioMarine’s krill oil eyed for knee osteoarthritis

28 Jul 2022 --- Aker BioMarine’s Superba Boost krill oil supplement improves stiffness, pain, and physical function in people with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, according to a study conducted by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO.

“This study proves that supplementation with krill oil is a natural way to help relieve the symptoms and reduce the burden of osteoarthritis versus taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,” Thomas Repstad, global technical marketing manager at Aker BioMarine Antarctic AS, tells NutritionInsight.

“This clinical trial with across-the-board results is a major development for the nutrition industry, showcasing the powerful roles dietary supplements can play in our overall health and well-being.”

The clinical trial comes at a time when: “More than 500 million people globally live with arthritis, experiencing fatigue, poor sleep, depression and a general deterioration in the quality of life. For the most common type of osteoarthritis, there is no cure, only the use of NSAIDs to relieve joint pain,” Repstad details.

Examining Superba Boost’s effectiveness
The six-month-long study involved 235 participants aged between 40 to 65 years. The clinical trial found that Swisse High Strength Deep Sea Krill Oil (Superba Boost krill oil phospholipids) improved knee pain, stiffness and physical function in adults with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. It was also proven to be safe to consume.

According to the research, krill oil is a safe and natural treatment choice for people who experience knee discomfort and osteoarthritis.According to Repstad, “Superba Boost is a marine supplement rich in phospholipids, omega 3 eicosapentaenoic acids, docosahexaenoic acid and choline. These nutrients play an important role in modulating and shortening inflammatory reactions and the pain associated with osteoarthritis.”

The placebo-controlled study found that participants with the greatest level of inflammation at baseline experienced more significant improvements in knee pain.

“To that end, reducing osteoarthritis discomfort and pain can positively impact a person’s physical and mental health. Consequently, their quality of life and krill oil is a solid solution for doing so.”

Joint health in focus
The clinical study was four years in the making, representing the largest and longest study to date investigating the effects of krill oil on knee osteoarthritis, Repstad explains.

“We are excited about the results, which solidify some of our previous studies on krill oil’s beneficial effect on joint health. Aker BioMarine has a large science program that seeks to explore the benefits of krill oil for human health, with a strong focus on healthy aging, of which this study is a huge part – there is more to come this year.”

Initially, the participants had been given a clinical diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis. They all consumed small amounts of long-chain omega 3 fatty acids in their meals but did not take fish oil supplements.

Krill oil supplementation improved knee pain, stiffness and physical function in adults with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis.During the study, participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The test group received 4 g of krill oil daily, delivering 880 mg of long-chain omega 3 fatty acids and 45 mg of astaxanthin, while the placebo group received the same amount. Participants underwent evaluations at the beginning and after three and six months.

Omega 3 impact
Compared to the placebo group, the krill oil group showed greater knee stiffness and physical function improvements. Additionally, those who consumed krill oil experienced an increase in their Omega 3 (index level) from 6% at baseline to 8.9% at three months and 9.0 percent at six months.

The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index numerical scale, the gold standard approach for assessing hip and knee osteoarthritis, was used to evaluate the results for knee osteoarthritis.

To conclude, researchers are looking for efficient, non-drug alternatives to these drugs because of their adverse side effects. Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from marine sources have been mentioned in previous research and clinical trials as a possible alternative to treat joint discomfort.

By Nicole Kerr