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Krill Oil and Triglycerides: What a JAMA Network Open Trial Means for Malaysians

A Malaysia-focused, evidence-led explanation of a JAMA Network Open trial, local triglyceride data and the important limits for retail supplements.

September 17, 2026

NYO3 Editorial Team

Triglycerides (TG) are a type of fat carried in the bloodstream. They are one part of a routine lipid profile, alongside measurements such as LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. A triglyceride result should never be read in isolation, but it can be an important prompt to look more closely at overall cardiometabolic health with a healthcare professional.

In Malaysia, that conversation is highly relevant. The Department of Statistics Malaysia reported that ischaemic heart diseases remained the leading cause of medically certified deaths in 2024, accounting for 17,421 deaths, or 13.0% of medically certified deaths.¹ Separately, a 2023 systematic review of Malaysian studies estimated that 36% of adults had elevated triglycerides, using a cut-off of at least 1.7 mmol/L. The review combined different community and clinical populations, so this is not a real-time national census figure—but it does underline why checking a lipid profile matters.²

A 2022 randomised clinical trial in JAMA Network Open has often been cited in discussions about krill oil and triglycerides.

What did the JAMA Network Open trial study?

The paper pooled two identical phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. In total, 520 adults from the United States, Canada and Mexico took part. All had severe fasting hypertriglyceridaemia: triglyceride levels of 500–1,500 mg/dL, equivalent to approximately 5.65–16.95 mmol/L. Some participants were already using stable lipid-lowering medicines, such as statins or fibrates.³

The intervention was 4 g per day of ω-3 phospholipid/free fatty acid (ω-3–PL/FFA, also called CaPre). This was a novel, krill-oil-derived investigational formulation containing EPA and DHA in both phospholipid-bound and free-fatty-acid forms. It was compared with a cornstarch placebo for 26 weeks.

What did the researchers find?

Both groups recorded lower triglyceride levels over time. The key question was whether the change was greater with the krill-oil-derived omega-3 formulation than with placebo.

Study time point	ω-3–PL/FFA group	Placebo group	Adjusted difference between groups
12 weeks	26.0% reduction from baseline	15.1% reduction from baseline	10.9 percentage points favouring ω-3–PL/FFA (P = .02)
26 weeks	33.5% reduction from baseline	20.8% reduction from baseline	12.7 percentage points favouring ω-3–PL/FFA (P = .02)

Studies found significant fluctuations in triglyceride levels among participants in the placebo group during the trial screening period. Consequently, scientists decided to analyze the highest-risk participants—those already taking medication to manage their triglyceride levels.

When analyzing participants undergoing pharmacological treatment, a more substantial reduction in triglyceride levels was observed in the krill oil group compared to the placebo group; this result reflects real-world conditions, as these participants likely represent a more "typical" population of patients with hypertriglyceridemia.

This indicates that krill oil is particularly effective for individuals who are also taking medication for hypertriglyceridemia.

A practical way to think about triglycerides in Malaysia

Previous clinical studies have demonstrated that krill oil supports three physiological markers associated with heart health and outperforms other omega-3 sources:

· Clinical studies have shown that krill oil lowers blood triglyceride levels.⁴

· Clinical studies have shown that krill oil raises the Omega-3 Index; increasing the Omega-3 Index from 4% to 8% can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by 30%.⁵

· It does not increase levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the body.⁶

Beyond the studies mentioned here, extensive research published in numerous authoritative medical journals—both domestic and international—confirms that krill oil is an effective supplement for reducing cardiovascular risk factors and improving overall heart health, while simultaneously raising Omega-3 Index levels.

For general wellness, the most useful next step is usually to understand the complete picture: your fasting or non-fasting test result, medical history, diet and lifestyle, current medicines and other risk factors. If you choose an omega-3 supplement, check the local label for EPA and DHA per serving, the intended serving size, allergen information and legitimate local product details. Krill is a shellfish source, so people with a shellfish allergy should be especially careful.

The takeaway

The 2022 JAMA Network Open trial found that a particular investigational, krill-oil-derived omega-3 formulation reduced triglycerides more than placebo in adults with severe hypertriglyceridaemia over 12 and 26 weeks. For Malaysian readers, know your lipid numbers, discuss abnormal results with a qualified professional and choose supplements with clear, transparent product information.

Educational note: This article is for general education only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Supplements are not a substitute for prescribed treatment or an individual care plan. Please seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional before starting a supplement if you have a medical condition, take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a shellfish allergy.