Could Krill Oil Help Reduce Chronic Pain? A New Pilot Study Offers Positive Findings
Chronic pain affects millions of older adults, often limiting mobility, independence, and quality of life. A new pilot study suggests a promising solution: daily krill oil supplementation may help reduce chronic muscle and joint pain in older adults.
Conducted by researchers at the University of Florida in collaboration with Aker BioMarine’s Open Innovation Center, this study underscores the growing importance of proactive health strategies that promote healthy aging before significant declines in mobility and function occur, with nutritional interventions such as krill oil emerging as a complementary approach.
A Closer Look at the Study
The study was designed as a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial — the gold standard for early-stage clinical research. Forty older adults living with chronic musculoskeletal pain participated in the study, with researchers evaluating both pain outcomes and physical function over a 12-week period.
Participants in the treatment group received 4 grams of Superba Boost per day, while the placebo group received a non-active supplement. Compared with the placebo group, those receiving krill oil reported:
- Lower pain intensity
- Fewer painful body sites
- Positive feedback regarding satisfaction and acceptability
Researchers also tracked biological markers, including changes in omega-3 fatty acid levels, with one of the clearest findings being the improvement in participants’ omega-3 status. Those taking krill oil saw their omega-3 index increase from 4.3% to 7.4%, bringing them closer to the optimal range of 8–12%, which has been associated with broader health benefits.
“Our previous research has shown that krill oil can play a valuable role in supporting joint and muscle health, among other benefits,” Line Johnsen, SVP of Human Health Ingredients R&D at Aker BioMarine. “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.”
Why Solutions for Chronic Pain and Mobility Matter
Chronic musculoskeletal pain is one of the biggest contributors to mobility limitations and increased disability over time.
Current pain treatments for older adults can be inconsistent and may come with unwanted side effects or medication interactions. That has fueled growing interest in nutritional and lifestyle-based approaches that could help support both pain management and physical function.
Krill oil has already been studied for its potential benefits to heart, brain, joint, and muscle health, among other areas, and this latest research builds on existing findings by exploring its possible role in chronic pain management.
The Future Ahead
As interest continues to shift toward preventive and lifestyle-based strategies, ingredients with broad health-support benefits are gaining attention. Rather than relying solely on reactive treatments after symptoms worsen, a proactive approach that combines nutrition, movement, and healthy daily habits may play an increasingly important role in supporting long-term musculoskeletal health and healthy aging overall.
“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,” added Johnsen.
“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,” added Javier A. Tamargo, PhD, RDN, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Pain Research & Intervention Center of Excellence at the University of Florida.