Could This Oil Keep You Strong While You Lose Weight?

We’ve talked a lot about GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic) lately—from their surprising benefits for brain health to their concerning side effects.

These popular medications promise fast weight loss… but they come with a catch.

One of the biggest concerns is the wrong kind of weight loss: Loss of muscle mass.

And that’s no small thing. Muscle loss doesn’t just sap your strength—it slows metabolism, weakens immunity, and raises the risk of falls and frailty as you age.

But a new study from the University of Glasgow may offer a glimmer of hope… and it comes from the sea.

Researchers found that krill oil—a supplement rich in omega-3s—might help protect muscle strength and mass during weight loss.

The study, published in the journal Obesity, followed 41 adults (ages 25–65) with higher-than-average BMIs. All participants followed an alternate-day fasting plan—but half took 4 grams of krill oil daily, while the others took a placebo.

The results? The krill oil group:

• Lost less muscle mass and handgrip strength
• Got up from a chair faster
• Had lower blood pressure
• And showed higher omega-3 levels in their blood

In other words, krill oil didn’t just protect strength—it supported broader metabolic health, too.

Of course, the study was small. And younger. So before you rush to the supplement aisle, let’s talk caution.

First, the study participants were mostly middle-aged—not seniors, and not GLP-1 users. That’s important. Because the elderly and people on semaglutide or similar drugs often face accelerated muscle loss.

Second, the study was funded in part by Aker BioMarine—the company that makes the krill oil supplement used in the trial. That doesn’t invalidate the research… but it does mean we should watch for independent follow-up.

That said, the idea that omega-3s could support aging muscle isn’t new. We’ve covered past studies showing that DHA and EPA—two key omega-3s—can boost strength, reduce inflammation, and improve recovery.

Krill oil may offer a unique edge, too. Unlike fish oil, it contains phospholipids that help your body absorb omega-3s more efficiently. It also contains astaxanthin—a powerful antioxidant that protects cells, including muscle cells, from oxidative stress.

And when you consider the rise of GLP-1s (and how many older adults are using them without proper nutrition support), it’s not far-fetched to imagine krill oil playing a protective role.

We’re not saying krill oil is a miracle cure for muscle loss. Far from it. But in combination with resistance exercise and a high-protein diet, it could be one more tool to keep you strong and independent—even during weight loss.

Talk to your doctor. Read the label. And always aim to lose fat, not function.

Because in the end, it’s not just about living longer—it’s about living stronger.

To losing fat, not function,

Rachel Mace
Managing Editorial Director, e-Alert
with contributions from the research team

P.S. Forgotten fish oil builds muscle at ANY age.

Sources:

Krill Oil Supplements May Preserve Muscle Strength and Mass During Weight Loss: Study. (2025, July 17). Nutraceuticals World. https://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/breaking-news/krill-oil-supplements-may-preserve-muscle-strength-and-mass-during-weight-loss-study/