Supplement Combination May Help Improve Range of Motion After Exercise

Green-lipped mussel is a nutritional supplement that contains omega-3 fatty acids and is taken from a type of mussel native to New Zealand. Krill oil is an oil derived from shrimp-like crustaceans called krill. A recent study suggests that supplementation with a combination of green-lipped mussel oil and krill oil may help improve joint range of motion after exercise.

Fifty-one untrained males participated in the study. Half of them consumed 600 mg of the mussel-krill oil combination (ratio of 75% to 25%) for 26 days and then 72 hours after a downhill running stint. The other half took 600 mg of the mussel oil. The researchers assessed delayed onset muscle soreness, pressure pain threshold, limb swelling, range of motion, and blood markers of inflammation and muscle damage at baseline and 24-, 48-, and 72-hours post-exercise. 

Both supplements showed similar results in lessening delayed onset muscle soreness at 24-, 48-, and 72-hours post-exercise. They both also offered joint protection at 48 and 72 hours and reduced markers of muscle damage and soreness. Joint range of motion was higher in the mussel-krill oil group compared to the mussel oil only group. Krill oil contains the antioxidant astaxanthin and the researchers believe this may facilitate muscle protein synthesis.

The study was conducted by researchers from Indiana University.It was published online ahead of print on December 9, 2020 in the Journal of Dietary Supplements.