Outcomes

What krill actually does, by outcome

Each row is one outcome with effect size, evidence base, the dose that worked in trials, and time to first effect. Magnitude tiers come from native-unit MCID where available, Cohen's d otherwise.

Outcome Effect size Evidence Dose Weeks Rank

Raise omega-3 levels Promising early signal

EPA and DHA build up in blood and cell membranes where they work.

12 RCTs n=727 3–4000 mg 4–52 wk #2/6

24952576·26407095·26537218·27701428 +8 more

moderate

12 RCTs n=727

3–4000 mg

4–52 wk

#2 /6

Ease joint pain Likely benefit

Your joints stop being the first thing you notice every morning.

1 meta-analysis n=629 2000–4000 mg 14 wk #5/18

39960912

moderate

1 meta-analysis n=629 Meta-analyzed I²=83%

2000–4000 mg

14 wk

#5 /18

Ease arthritis pain and joint inflammation Likely modest benefit

Less pain, less stiffness, quieter inflammatory signals inside the joint.

4 meta-analyses n=1.2k 2000–4000 mg 4–26 wk #6/21

27701428·35880828·38776073·39960912

small

4 meta-analyses n=1.2k Meta-analyzed I²=81%

2000–4000 mg

4–26 wk

#6 /21

Loosen stiff joints Likely modest benefit

Joints move more freely, especially after rest or first thing in the morning.

2 meta-analyses n=588 2000–4000 mg 14–26 wk #3/9

35880828·39960912

small

2 meta-analyses n=588 Meta-analyzed I²=75%

2000–4000 mg

14–26 wk

#3 /9

Improve omega-3 to omega-6 ratio Faint early signal

Less raw material for inflammation, more for resolving it.

3 RCTs n=120 3–2000 mg 4–7 wk #5/6

21042875·24952576·27701428

small

3 RCTs n=120

3–2000 mg

4–7 wk

#5 /6

Reduce everyday fatigue Not enough research

Less of that heavy, worn-out feeling that makes simple tasks feel like a chore.

1 RCT n=251 2300 mg 20 wk

34072293

trivial

1 RCT n=251

2300 mg

20 wk

—

Lower bad and total cholesterol May have slight negative effect

Cuts the cholesterol that builds into artery plaque over time.

4 meta-analyses n=891 3–4000 g 4–14 wk

21042875·24304605·26537218·39960912

small

4 meta-analyses n=891 Meta-analyzed

3–4000 g

4–14 wk

—

Outcome	Effect	Evidence	Dose	Weeks	Rank
Raise omega-3 levels Promising early signal	moderate	12 RCTs n=727	3–4000 mg	4–52 wk	#2/6
Ease joint pain Likely benefit	moderate	1 meta-analysis n=629 Meta-analyzed	2000–4000 mg	14 wk	#5/18
Ease arthritis pain and joint inflammation Likely modest benefit	small	4 meta-analyses n=1.2k Meta-analyzed	2000–4000 mg	4–26 wk	#6/21
Loosen stiff joints Likely modest benefit	small	2 meta-analyses n=588 Meta-analyzed	2000–4000 mg	14–26 wk	#3/9
Improve omega-3 to omega-6 ratio Faint early signal	small	3 RCTs n=120	3–2000 mg	4–7 wk	#5/6
Reduce everyday fatigue Not enough research	trivial	1 RCT n=251	2300 mg	20 wk	—
Lower bad and total cholesterol May have slight negative effect	small	4 meta-analyses n=891 Meta-analyzed	3–4000 g	4–14 wk	—

Risk profile

Adverse events and known drug interactions

Safety events

rash moderate

hepatic steatosis mild

decreased heart weight mild

hypertriglyceridaemia mild

increased blood total protein mild

abnormal faeces colour mild

flatulence mild

heartburn mild

Drug interactions

Antithrombotic Agents moderate increases toxicity

Cisplatin moderate unknown

Co-studied with

Supplements that share evidence with krill

Sources

Generated August 14, 2026

Krill

What krill actually does, by outcome

Adverse events and known drug interactions

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