India, Oct. 6 -- The landscape of weight loss is rapidly evolving, from traditional calorie control to advanced GLP-1 receptor therapies. Like many other global regions, the weight-loss drug market in India has experienced robust growth in recent years, driven in large part by the rising popularity of GLP-1 receptor agonists. In fact, the GLP-1 weight-loss market in India is projected to grow at a 2425% CAGR through 2030, with revenues increasing from approximately USD 82 million in 2024 to USD 352 million by 2030 (source: Grandview Research).
And while there are new opportunities to address weight management, an important consequence often goes unnoticed: maintaining muscle strength and metabolic health while shedding weight. As more individuals turn to GLP-1 therapies, there is a parallel rise in the demand for nutritional strategies that address these side effects, particularly solutions that help preserve muscle mass while promoting fat loss. This emerging need underscores a significant opportunity for science-backed nutritional interventions designed to complement modern weight management therapies, ensuring both effective weight reduction and the maintenance of overall metabolic health.
Krill Oil Preserves Muscle During Weight Loss
India's increasing engagement with intermittent fasting, keto diets, and GLP-1 receptor agonists has raised red flags around sarcopenia (muscle loss) during weight reduction.
Krill oil, with its rich phospholipid-bound omega-3s, offers a functional ingredient solution to this growing concern. Its appeal is further enhanced by its traceability, sustainability, and minimal fishy aftertastequalities sought by Indian urban consumers exploring premium supplements.
A recent clinical breakthrough from the University of Glasgow may pave the way for a new segment of nutraceutical innovation. The study, published in the journal Obesity, finds that krill oil supplementation (with Superba Krill oil, the worlds leading krill oil ingredient brand) can help preserve muscle mass and strength during weight loss, especially in individuals undergoing intermittent fasting protocols.
With Superba Krill as a companion to weight loss strategies, 96% of weight loss came from fat and only 4% from muscle. In contrast, the placebo group lost 27% from muscle. Same weight loss, but a totally different composition.
While total weight loss was similar between the krill oil and placebo groups, participants receiving krill oil were able to maintain muscle mass and strength more effectively a key consideration for both short-term functional outcomes and long-term metabolic health.
One of the unintended side effects of weight loss is muscle loss. This study shows krill oil can help mitigate that, preserving both strength and lean massessential for long-term health, said Dr. Stuart Gray, Professor at the University of Glasgow and study co-author.
The Market Opportunity in India
This new clinical study arrives at a time when the Indian wellness market is being shaped by consumer interest in muscle health, metabolic resilience, and sustainable weight management. Krill oil, already recognized for its high bioavailability of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), now gains an added dimension for overall health and wellness.
This study paves the way for further clinical research in diverse populations, including Indian cohorts with varying dietary habits and body compositions. As nutraceutical companies seek evidence-backed, differentiated products, krill oil stands out as a multifunctional ingredient with applications across weight management, metabolic wellness, and healthy aging.
"As India emerges as the second-largest consumer of omega-3 supplements in the region, the latest clinical study on Superba Krill Oil highlights its potential beyond heart healthsupporting lean muscle preservation during calorie-restricted diets, said Ross Norris, General Manager, Asia Pacific at Aker BioMarine. In a market moving from generic supplements to a more dedicated health focused approach, krill oil offers nutraceutical innovators a multifunctional, science-driven ingredient to meet the evolving demands of precision nutrition in the new frontier of weight-loss support.
For more information: https://www.superbakrill.com/blog/how-krill-oil-can-help-address-a-hidden-risk-in-weight-loss-muscle-loss
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from FoodTechBiz.