The effect of krill oil supplementation on skeletal muscle function and size in older adults: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of krill oil supplementation, on muscle function and size in healthy older adults. METHODS: Men and women, aged above 65 years, with a BMI less than 35kg/m2, who participated in less than 1h per week of structured self-reported exercise, were enrolled in the study (NCT04048096) between March 2018 and March 2020. Participants were randomised to either control or krill oil supplements (4g/day) for 6 months in this double blind randomised controlled trial. At baseline, 6 weeks and 6 months, knee extensor maximal torque was measured as the primary outcome of the study. Secondary outcomes measured were grip strength, vastus lateralis muscle thickness, short performance physical battery test, body fat, muscle mass, blood lipids, glucose, insulin, and C-Reactive Protein, neuromuscular (M-Wave, RMS and voluntary activation), and erythrocyte fatty acid composition. RESULTS: A total of 102 men and women were enrolled in the study. Ninety-four participants (krill group (26 women and 23 men) and placebo group (27 women and 18 men)) completed the study (mean (SD): age 71.2 (5.1) years and weight 71.8 (12.3) kg). Six months supplementation with krill oil resulted in, an increase in knee extensor maximal torque, grip strength and vastus lateralis muscle thickness, relative to control (p<0.05). The 6-month treatment effects were 9.3% (95%CI: 2.8, 15.8%), 10.9% (95%CI: 8.3, 13.6%) and 3.5% (95%CI: 2.1, 4.9%) respectively. Increases in erythrocyte fatty acid profile were seen with krill oil for EPA 214% (95%CI: 166, 262%), DHA 36% (95%CI: 24, 48%) and the omega-3 index 61% (95%CI: 49, 73%), relative to control (p < 0.05). Krill oil resulted in an increased, relative to control (p < 0.05), M-Wave of 17% (95%CI: 12.7, 38.1%) but there was no effect of krill oil on RMS, voluntary activation, or on any other secondary outcomes such as performance of the short performance physical battery test or quality of life. CONCLUSION: Krill oil supplementation for 6 months results in statistically and clinically significant increases in muscle function and size in healthy older adults. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT04048096.

Substance use as a measure of social integration for women of different ethnocultural groups into mainstream culture in a pluralist society: the example of Canada.

Analysis of Canadian data from the 1989 National Alcohol and Drugs Survey was used to identify profiles of alcohol and other drug-using behaviors among Canadian women of different ethnic or cultural groups. The profile considered 110 different substance use variables including alcohol or drug type used, quantity, frequency, drinking or drug-taking circumstances, beverage preference, reasons for drinking or not drinking, and opinions regarding appropriate drinking or drug-taking behavior of Canadian women who described themselves as belonging to the "Canadian," French, English, German/Dutch, Irish, Scottish, Ukrainian/Polish, Italian/Portuguese, and "Other" (Chinese, Jewish, and "Other") ethnic or cultural groups. Alcohol, tobacco, and drug use behavior was found to differ by ethnocultural group. Further, each ethnocultural group was found to differ from the national average. The amount of difference between the national average and each ethnocultural group was related to the period of arrival and the length of time that an ethnocultural group has been present in Canada. The degree of similarity or difference between each ethnocultural group and the mainstream national average for alcohol, tobacco, and drug use and drug-use behavior may be used to measure the degree of social integration of each ethnocultural group and the degree of acculturation of women of specific ethnocultural groups into mainstream Canadian society.