Staying strong and active becomes more difficult as we age, but new research suggests there may be a simple way to help: taking krill oil.
A study led by scientists at the University of Glasgow found that krill oil supplements can improve muscle strength and size in healthy adults over 65. This promising finding gives hope to older individuals who want to stay mobile and independent as they get older.
As people age, it’s common to lose muscle mass and strength—a condition known as sarcopenia. This natural part of aging can lead to difficulty walking, balancing, or performing everyday tasks. It also increases the risk of falling, which can cause serious injuries in older adults. That’s why finding ways to maintain muscle health is so important for healthy aging.
In this study, published in the journal Clinical Nutrition, Dr. Stuart Gray and his team looked at how krill oil could support muscle health. Krill oil is a supplement made from tiny crustaceans found in the ocean, similar to shrimp.
It’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA. These healthy fats have already been shown to help the body build and maintain muscle, but this study focused on how effective krill oil is in older adults.
Krill oil also contains choline, a nutrient that may support muscle metabolism and improve how muscles function. Together, these nutrients make krill oil a potentially powerful tool for muscle health in aging.
The study involved 102 healthy men and women over the age of 65. Half of the group was given a placebo (a pill with no active ingredients), and the other half took four grams of Superba krill oil each day for six months. The researchers then measured changes in muscle strength, size, and other health markers.
The results were impressive. People who took the krill oil experienced a 9.3% increase in thigh strength, a 10.9% improvement in grip strength, and a 3.5% increase in the thickness of their thigh muscles. These are meaningful improvements, especially for older adults who want to stay active and avoid muscle decline.
The researchers also found major increases in the participants’ blood levels of omega-3s. EPA levels went up by 214%, DHA by 36%, and the overall omega-3 index by 61%. This shows that the body was absorbing and using the nutrients in the krill oil effectively.
In addition to stronger muscles, the study found that the krill oil group had a 17% increase in muscle membrane excitability, which is a measure of how well muscles respond and function. This means their muscles weren’t just stronger—they were working better too.
The findings suggest that daily krill oil supplements could help older adults maintain their muscle strength and size, which can help them stay more independent. Stronger muscles mean better balance, more confidence when walking, and a lower risk of falls.
While more research is needed to see if krill oil helps people who already have muscle problems or who aren’t very active, this study is an exciting step forward. It shows that a simple daily supplement might make a big difference for older adults looking to maintain their strength and quality of life.
For now, krill oil appears to be a safe and effective option for supporting healthy muscles as we age—making it a valuable addition to healthy aging strategies.
If you care about muscle, please read studies about factors that can cause muscle weakness in older people, and scientists find a way to reverse high blood sugar and muscle loss.
For more health information, please see recent studies about an easy, cheap way to maintain muscles, and results showing these vegetables essential for your muscle strength.
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