Krill oil to improve muscle strength in adults with long-term health conditions
The Effect of Krill Oil Supplementation on Muscle Function in Adults With High-risk Long-term Conditions: a Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.
This 12-week test will see if taking 4 g/day of krill oil improves muscle strength in adults with one or more long-term health conditions.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Glasgow Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Glasgow, Lanarkshire and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07130513 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized, double-blind 12-week pilot trial will enroll 30 adults who will receive either 4 g/day krill oil (Superba™) or 4 g/day placebo vegetable oil. Participants will be asked to maintain their usual diet and activity while researchers measure grip strength and collect dietary and activity data using the EPIC FFQ and IPAQ, plus a weekly fish consumption log. Eligibility excludes people with cancer, neurocognitive disorders, certain cardiovascular risks (for example aortic stenosis or prior haemorrhagic stroke), current anticoagulant therapy, pregnancy or breastfeeding, fish allergy, or regular oily fish or fish oil use. The pilot will test feasibility and provide initial effect-size data to inform a larger trial.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with one or more long-term conditions (for example rheumatoid arthritis, gout, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, or stroke) who are not pregnant or breastfeeding and who do not regularly take fish oil or eat more than one portion of oily fish per week.
Not a fit: People on anticoagulant therapy, with a fish allergy, with a history of aortic stenosis or haemorrhagic stroke, who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or who already take fish oil/krill supplements or regularly eat oily fish are unlikely candidates and may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, krill oil could modestly improve grip strength and physical function in people with chronic conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous trials of omega-3 supplements have produced mixed results for muscle strength, and krill oil specifically has limited prior trial evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Men and women aged ≥18 years who are in the high-risk long-term condition group (having one or more LTCs, including rheumatoid arthritis, gout, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and stroke \[including transient ischemic attack, TIA\]). Exclusion Criteria: * Participants are diagnosed with and being treated for any type of cancer. * Presence of neurocognitive disorders or any health condition affecting memory (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, dementia). * Aortic stenosis, history of haemorrhagic stroke, or presence of aneurysms. * Current anticoagulant therapy. * Use of any muscle mass supplements or presence of physiological conditions such as pregnancy or breastfeeding. * History of allergy to fish or fish oil. * Regular consumption of more than one portion of oily fish per week, or use of fish oil or krill oil supplements.
Where this trial is running
Glasgow, Lanarkshire and 1 other locations
- Lab 242, Sir James Black Building, University of Glasgow — Glasgow, Lanarkshire, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
- University of Glasgow — Glasgow, Lanarkshire, United Kingdom (Not_yet_recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Professor Stuart Gray
- Email: stuart.gray@glasgow.ac.uk
- Phone: +441413302569
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.