Aker Biomarine has highlighted a recent clinical investigation that reportedly shows krill oil can significantly reduce triglyceride levels in the blood, an important measure of heart health.
Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) found in the blood. In the US, one-third of the population have elevated triglyceride levels in their blood, which increases the risk of heart disease.
The publication from January 6, 2022, presents the effects of krill oil supplementation on 520 patients with severely high triglyceride levels in their blood. Participants were randomly assigned to receive krill oil capsules or a placebo. Patients’ triglyceride levels, plasma omega-3s, and cholesterol levels were measured before, during and after the 26-week duration of the trials.
The results showed patients consuming krill oil experienced a 26.0% reduction in blood triglyceride levels from baseline, versus a 15.1% reduction among the placebo group after 12 weeks. After 26 weeks, this disparity increased to a 33.5% reduction in the krill oil group and a 20.8% reduction in the placebo group.
The study authors found participants in the placebo group were more likely to see large variations in their triglyceride levels in the screening period before entering the trial. They therefore decided to look at a subsection of the participants who were most at risk, using medication to help with their high triglyceride levels.
“When analysing only those patients receiving medications for their hypertriglyceridemia at study start, the authors observed even stronger reductions in the krill oil group and less reductions in the placebo group”, said Katina Handeland, Research & Development Director for Human Health and Nutrition, Aker BioMarine ASA. “This is interesting as these patients may represent an even more “true” hypertriglyceridemia patient population.”
Previous research shows krill oil supports the three markers of heart health, Aker says.
“Multiple studies tell us that krill oil is an effective supplement for reducing cardiovascular risk and improving overall heart health, with consistent evidence of increased Omega-3 Index levels in patients,” said Handeland.
