Krill oil phospholipids support omega-3 levels and healthspan

Global aging can be seen as both a triumph and a challenge. As people live longer than ever before, the real issue isn’t lifespan – it’s healthspan: the number of years we remain active, strong and independent.

According to the World Health Organization, the population aged 60 and older is growing rapidly, yet many of those years are spent in declining health.¹ On average, people live more than nine years in suboptimal health – years often marked by reduced mobility, chronic inflammation and cognitive decline.

This has created a global imperative: closing the ‘healthspan-lifespan gap’. Fortunately, both science and consumer behavior are shifting in that direction. Mintel reports that healthy aging is now a leading driver of nutraceutical innovation, as consumers seek proactive solutions that help them live better, for longer.²⁻³

“A proactive approach to healthy aging could open many doors in the nutraceutical space,” says Line Johnsen, Senior Vice President, Human Health and Nutrition R&D at Aker BioMarine. “We see tremendous potential for solutions that help people maintain mobility, muscle strength and cognitive function – ensuring not just longer lives, but better ones.”

Science confirms: Omega-3s and choline are essential for healthspan

Decades of research has established omega-3s and choline as key nutrients for heart, brain, muscle and metabolic health. Low omega-3 intake ranks among the leading preventable causes of death in the US, while higher Omega-3 Index levels are linked to a significantly lower risk of sudden cardiac death and longer life expectancy.^⁴⁻⁵

Newer studies reveal even more compelling effects – showing that omega-3s may slow biological aging at the DNA level by delaying molecular markers of aging.^⁶

Similarly, choline – an essential nutrient also found in krill oil – is gaining attention for its brain-protective properties. Recent large-scale population studies show that higher choline intake is associated with slower cognitive decline and up to a 47% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease in long-term cohorts.^⁷

Together, these nutrients form the foundation of cellular health – and that’s where krill oil stands apart, delivering omega-3s and choline in their natural phospholipid form for superior absorption and efficacy.

Understanding aging: From cells to systems

Aging affects the body on two interconnected levels – cellular and physical. At the cellular level, scientists have identified a group of biological mechanisms known as the cellular hallmarks of aging.^⁸ These include:

Genomic instability (DNA damage)
Mitochondrial dysfunction
Cellular senescence (loss of the cell’s ability to divide)
Dysregulated nutrient sensing
Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress

Together, these processes drive the gradual loss of cellular function and vitality. At the physical level, these cellular changes manifest as measurable declines: loss of muscle strength and mass; reduced fitness; slower metabolism; weaker bones and cognitive decline. These physical hallmarks of aging are universal, but importantly, they are also modifiable through targeted nutrition and lifestyle interventions.^⁹

Understanding these mechanisms helps explain why nutrition at the cellular level can have such a broad impact on physical performance, resilience and longevity.

Krill oil phospholipids: Cellular nutrition in its optimal form

Each cell in the human body is wrapped in a phospholipid bilayer, a protective membrane that regulates nutrient flow and communication. Krill oil naturally mirrors this structure, delivering omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) and choline bound to phospholipids.

This unique form enhances bioavailability, ensuring these nutrients are effectively absorbed and incorporated into cell membranes across all tissues, from muscles and joints to the brain.

Superba Boost®, Aker BioMarine’s flagship krill oil ingredient, provides this phospholipid-bound multi-nutrient complex in its purest form, supporting healthy aging from the inside out.

Supported by over 50 human clinical trials and 135 studies, Superba Krill continues to demonstrate broad benefits across the major pillars of healthspan – from heart and brain to joints, muscles and metabolism.

Krill oil supports muscle strength and size in older adults

Loss of muscle mass and strength – known as sarcopenia – is one of the most visible and impactful aspects of aging. Starting in our 40s, we lose an estimated 3% to 5% of muscle mass each decade, accelerating after age 70. This decline reduces mobility, independence and longevity.

In a landmark study conducted by the University of Glasgow, daily supplementation with Superba Krill significantly improved muscle function and size in older adults.^¹⁰

After six months of supplementation, participants showed:

+9.3% increase in thigh muscle strength
+10.9% increase in grip strength
+3.5% increase in muscle thickness
+61% improvement in the Omega-3 Index

Researchers concluded that krill oil enhances skeletal muscle performance and metabolic resilience in healthy older adults, key indicators of extended healthspan.

Multiple, proven health benefits of Krill Oil

New findings: Krill oil helps lose fat, not muscle

Building on this muscle research, a new 2025 clinical trial demonstrated that Superba Krill supports healthy weight loss by promoting fat loss while preserving lean muscle mass.

Participants in the krill oil group lost an average of 4.6 kg total weight, of which 96% came from fat – compared to only 73% in the placebo group. Fat-free (muscle) mass loss was minimal at just 4% versus 27% muscle mass loss in the placebo group.

This suggests krill oil can play a unique role in supporting weight management, muscle metabolism and overall body composition, all key factors in extending healthspan.

Help maintain muscle mass during weight loss

“We’re seeing that Superba Krill not only improves markers of muscle strength but also helps ensure that weight loss comes from fat, not muscle,” says Johnsen. “That’s a breakthrough for both active adults and older populations.”

Joint health: Supporting mobility and longevity

Joint health is another cornerstone of healthy aging. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, krill oil supplementation significantly improved knee pain, stiffness and physical function in adults aged 40 to 65 with mild to moderate osteoarthritis.^¹¹

Participants with higher baseline inflammation experienced the greatest improvement, and their Omega-3 Index increased from 6.0% to 9.0% over six months, reinforcing krill oil’s anti-inflammatory and mobility-supporting potential.

Maintaining joint comfort and flexibility is essential for lifelong movement and independence, two of the clearest markers of extended healthspan.

Preclinical evidence: Krill oil counters the cellular hallmarks of aging

In a 2022 preclinical study published in Aging, researchers from the University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital, and Akershus University Hospital investigated whether krill oil could slow aging in roundworms (C. elegans) and human cells.^¹²

The results were striking: krill oil (Superba Boost) counteracted several key hallmarks of aging by:

Suppressing oxidative DNA damage
Preserving mitochondrial membrane potential and energy function
Reducing cellular senescence
Protecting dopaminergic neurons and neuromuscular activity

Roundworms supplemented with krill oil not only maintained neuronal health and motor function but also stayed active longer and lived healthier lives. These findings demonstrate that krill oil’s effects extend beyond symptom relief, influencing the fundamental biological processes that drive aging itself.

“This study shows how krill oil can modulate multiple mechanisms linked to aging,” says Johnsen. “It provides biological context for the clinical results we see on muscle, joint and cognitive function.”

Unlocking the brain’s potential

Beyond physical health, Aker BioMarine’s innovation pipeline also targets the brain – the control center of healthy aging.

Lysoveta®, a patented form of lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LPC) EPA and DHA, is the only known omega-3 form proven to cross the blood–brain barrier efficiently. By delivering EPA and DHA directly to the brain in its natural carrier form, Lysoveta allows EPA and DHA to reach where they matter most – the neurons.

Lysoveta delivers brain-ready omega-3s in the form the body prefers, promoting:

Direct brain delivery Highest levels of LPC-bound omega-3 and choline available, efficiently transported via the Mfsd2a pathway.
Neurogenesis and cognitive vitality Boosts BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) to support the growth and protection of new neurons.
Neurotransmitter support Provides choline for optimal neurotransmitter synthesis and brain signaling.
Neuroprotection Enhances antioxidant defenses and supports myelin sheath integrity, helping preserve long-term brain function.

Lysoveta the key to unlocking brain potential

The ingredient has received FDA New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) notification and US patent protection, solidifying its scientific and regulatory foundation.

Healthy aging starts at the cellular level

From preserving muscle and joint function to protecting brain and metabolic health, krill oil phospholipids provide a clinically validated foundation for healthy aging.

By addressing both the cellular and physical hallmarks of aging, Superba Krill helps the body stay strong, mobile and resilient.