A pilot study to investigate the effect of Krill oil on skin function
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Akerd 31501 A pilot study to investigate the effect of Krill oil supplementation on skin function
IRAS ID
179177
Contact name
michael wakeman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Aker Biomarine
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 0 days
Research summary
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are vitamin like substances that cannot be produced in the body and have to be supplied in the diet. Despite encouragement to eat more fish, consumption in UK still fails to meet official targets, and many experts recommend supplementation of Omega 3 EFA's in the form of fish oils to achieve the required intake. The two Omega 3 fatty acids, which have critical functions such as eye and brain development are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Additionally EPA and DHA have been demonstrated to be beneficial to health in terms of reducing HDL cholesterol levels, facilitating joint mobility, boosting immunity, and improving skin function through enhancing the dermal barrier capabilities by effects such as reducing water loss.
Krill oil is a totally natural source of omega 3 fatty acids, well incorporated into the fish food chain. It has undergone extensive assessments by The European Food Standards Agency, establishing it as safe to consume as fish oils, but also because krill exist in an unpolluted environment and is so low in the food chain, the types of potential contaminants found in fish oil are virtually absent.
There have been numerous trials to demonstrate krill oil provides the same benefits as eating more oily fish, or supplementing with fish oil, and in every case krill oil delivered either the same or enhanced effects as fish oil.
Participants skin function will be assessed using non-invasive measures of skin elasticity, redness, roughness, smoothness, water content, and transepidermal water loss of the forearm and all tests will be repeated 12 weeks later following consumption of either 1g or 3g of krill oil daily.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0894
Date of REC Opinion
10 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion