A startling 70% of adults over age 50 suffer from some degree of joint pain.¹

It can manifest as osteoarthritis¹ or other degenerative conditions that lower quality of life.^1,2

Human and laboratory research findings have demonstrated joint benefits using a krill oil-based nutrient combination.

In two separate clinical trials, this krill oil nutrient combination:

• Produced a mean reduction in a measure of joint pain of 49% compared to placebo in 12 weeks in one study, and^3,4
• Enabled 68% of subjects to report they were completely pain-free by the end of an eight-week study.⁵

Many with chronic joint pain turn to over-the-counter pain medications.1 These drugs can provide effective temporary relief but have side-effect risks when used continuously.^6,7

Nutrient formulas, on the other hand, often have side benefits.

What’s Behind Joint Pain?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition that causes pain and stiffness in joints.⁸ This is the most common form of arthritis and can affect knees, shoulders, hips, fingers, and other joints.²

Sufferers may experience joint pain, decreased mobility and range of motion,⁹ lower quality of life, and reduced muscle strength near the joints.⁸

The primary driver of osteoarthritic joint breakdown is a combination of age-related wear and tear that gradually progresses over time, and chronic inflammation, leading to chronic pain.²

Conventional pain medication may provide some relief. But long-term use of these drugs can lead to gastrointestinal issues,¹⁰ and tolerance,10 and can also cause kidney damage.^6,10,11

In preclinical^12-14 and clinical studies,^12,15 researchers searching for safer alternatives found that oil from small shrimp-like organisms called krill may help treat arthritic joint tissue by neutralizing pro-inflammatory activity and protecting joint cartilage from damage.

Further research led to a formulation that combines krill oil with two additional ingredients that augment its clinical effectiveness in treating joint pain.

Triple Support for Joints

The formulation combines the following three ingredients:

• Krill oil,
• Astaxanthin, and
• Hyaluronic acid.

Krill oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. It also contains astaxanthin and flavonoids, all shown to exert potent anti-inflammatory effects.^12,13 Clinical evidence shows that krill oil decreases systemic inflammation¹² and arthritic symptoms.¹⁵

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid found in some marine algae and animals, including krill. In human studies it has been shown to provide antioxidant support.¹⁶ Its cartilage-protecting effects have been shown in preclinical osteoarthritis models.^17,18

Hyaluronic acid, a polysaccharide that retains moisture, is found in many parts of the human body, including the synovial fluid of joints. Hyaluronic acid suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines (signaling proteins) and promotes anti-inflammatory cytokines.^9,19,20 It also plays a critical role in lubrication, tissue repair, and joint cartilage maintenance.^9,19,21,22

Preclinical Studies

Researchers developed a blend of all three ingredients to maximize the benefits for joint health.

In a study of mice with induced arthritis, this patented blend reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased levels of an anti-inflammatory cytokine in knee joint tissue.²³

In a rat model of osteoarthritis, the blend:²⁴

• Reduced joint pain,
• Suppressed joint cartilage damage,
• Reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, and
• Decreased biomarkers of the death of cartilage cells.

Based on such impressive results, scientists conducted clinical trials to validate these findings in humans.

Remarkable Pain Relief

Researchers divided a group of 140 people with joint pain into three groups, 107 of whom completed the eight-week study and were included in the final analysis. Participants took capsules of either the krill oil blend, a placebo, or a glucosamine-chondroitin combination tablet.⁵

Joint pain was measured on days 14, 28, and 56. Using a standard WOMAC score (a 24-question assessment of pain, stiffness, and physical limitations), those who took the krill oil, astaxanthin, and hyaluronic acid blend had:⁵

• A progressive decrease in pain severity on each testing day,
• Pain-free status in 25% of patients by day 14, and
• Pain-free status in 63% of patients by day 56.

By day 56, controlling for the effect of placebo, the blend achieved a 55% reduction in WOMAC pain scores, outperforming the 35% reduction achieved by the glucosamine-chondroitin treatment.⁵

Another measure of joint pain, the patient-reported Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), showed:⁵

• Progressive decrease in pain severity on each testing day, and
• Pain-free status in an astonishing 68% of patients by day 56.

Further Clinical Validation

Results from an additional study, this time enlisting 100 Korean patients diagnosed with mild degenerative osteoarthritis in the knee or hip—75 of whom completed the study—were published around the same time as the previous study.^3,4

For this trial, patients took either the krill oil blend capsules or a matching placebo.

After 12 weeks, the krill oil group had an improvement in:^3,4

• Physical function score, according to the WOMAC scale, and
• Pain, according to the VAS scale.

These clinical studies suggest that the blend of krill oil, astaxanthin, and hyaluronic acid is well-tolerated, and this combination may support joint health.

Summary

Joint pain limits physical activity and substantially reduces quality of life.

Scientists combined krill oil, astaxanthin, and hyaluronic acid to deliver optimum antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects to painful joints.

In one clinical trial, patients’ joint pain was reduced by an average of 49%. In another trial, an impressive 68% of participants reported being completely pain-free within 56 days.

It’s important to note that these results occurred over 8 to 12-week periods. In other words, these nutrients do not function as instant pain-relieving drugs.

Instead, they enable beneficial structure and function adjustments that address many underlying causes of joint discomfort and immobility.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

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5. Hill WS, Dohnalek MH, Ha Y, et al. Correction: Hill et al. A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of a Krill Oil, Astaxanthin, and Oral Hyaluronic Acid Complex on Joint Health in People with Mild Osteoarthritis. Nutrients 2023, 15, 3769. Nutrients. 2024;16(12):1961.
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