Oslo, February 24, 2023: In an effort to further investigate the health benefits of krill oil and krill protein, the science team at Aker BioMarine has entered into a partnership with the University of Glasgow to recruit Nathan Phillips for an industrial PhD studentship. Together the team will focus on the synergistic effects of krill oil and krill protein for age-related loss of muscle mass and function (sarcopenia) in an older population (>60y of age).
In recent years, the science team at Aker BioMarine has ventured into new categories like healthy aging to explore the benefits of krill. In early 2022, a study led by the School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, assessed the effect of krill oil (Superba Boost) on muscle function and size in a group of about 100 healthy adults over age 65. This study has helped lay the foundation for the new study underway.
“We are excited to continue developing our partnership with the University of Glasgow to further grow our book of science on healthy aging,” says Line Johnsen, SVP Science & Regulatory Affairs, Aker BioMarine. “We have previously conducted scientific studies showing how the important nutrients found in krill are essential for the body as it ages, and we are hoping this new study will layer on new findings. Furthermore, we are expanding this study to include Understory, Aker BioMarine's new protein brand, to better understand how protein contributes to healthy muscle mass and function.”
“The loss of muscle strength and mass with age is a major public health issue with very few strategies to help with this growing problem,” says Dr Stuart Gray, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow. “We are, therefore, excited to continue our work with Aker Biomarine investigating the potential benefits of krill oil and krill protein for older adults.”
Several studies in both young and older individuals are planned over the next 3 ½ years of the partnership to deep dive into the effects of krill products on muscle protein metabolism in combination with exercise.
About the University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is a top world 100 University (THE, QS) and the current Times and Sunday Times Good University of the Year 2022.
The University is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of leading UK Universities and has annual research income of more than £180m.
As a world-leading, research-intensive University, the University of Glasgow is committed to contributing towards the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and has committed to carbon neutrality by 2030.
Glasgow was the first UK University to declare it would divest from fossil fuels within a decade and the first in Scotland to declare a Climate Emergency.
In 2021, the University of Glasgow received a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its national service to the Covid-19 pandemic.