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Krill Oil Improves Mild Knee Joint Pain: A Randomized Control Trial
Yoshio Suzuki1,2, Minoru Fukushima3,4, Keishoku Sakuraba1,2,3
1Graduate School of Health and Sports Science, Juntendo University, Inzai, Chiba, Japan.
Plos One
|October 5, 2016
Summary
Krill oil supplementation significantly improved mild knee pain, stiffness, and range of motion in adults. This study suggests krill oil is an effective treatment for knee discomfort.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Orthopedics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Krill oil, derived from Antarctic crustaceans, is known to reduce inflammation.
- Previous research suggests benefits for cardiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis.
- The specific impact of krill oil on mild knee pain remained undetermined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of krill oil in alleviating mild knee pain.
- To assess the effects of krill oil on subjective knee pain symptoms and joint function.
Main Methods:
- A 30-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 50 adults with mild knee pain.
- Participants received 2g daily of either krill oil or a placebo.
- Outcomes were measured using the Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure (JKOM) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores.
Main Results:
- Both krill oil and placebo groups showed improvements in JKOM and JOA scores.
- Krill oil demonstrated superior improvement in knee pain and stiffness compared to placebo.
- Krill oil significantly reduced pain during sleep and standing, and improved knee range of motion, while increasing plasma EPA and EPA/AA ratio.
Conclusions:
- Daily krill oil supplementation (2g for 30 days) effectively improved subjective knee pain symptoms in adults.
- Krill oil shows promise as a therapeutic agent for managing mild knee pain.
