Herring oil: a new weapon against aching joints?

NCT ID NCT07786181

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting This study
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

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Status unknown
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First seen Aug 25, 2026 · Last updated Aug 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether marine oil supplements, particularly those rich in omega-11 fatty acids, can reduce joint pain and stiffness in adults aged 50-75 with mild to moderate joint discomfort. Participants will take daily capsules of either herring oil, a high-omega-11 concentrate, or a control fish oil for six months. Researchers will measure changes in joint inflammation, pain, and stiffness to see if these oils offer relief.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
Marine oil supplements (herring oil with regular or high omega-11 content, or a commercial fish oil)
What this could lead to
If effective, these marine oils could offer a natural way to ease joint pain and stiffness, improving daily life for many adults.
What could go wrong
This is an early-stage trial, and results may not show a clear benefit. Some people may experience digestive upset or allergic reactions.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 150 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

Aug 2026

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

Dec 2031

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

50 to 75 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults (50-75 years) * Mild to moderate joint pain for at least 3 months * Stable body weight last 3 months Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed reumatic disease * Allergies towards fish, milk, egg, gluten * Daily tobacco use (cigarettes or snus) * Serious illness (cardiovascular disease, neurological disease, cancer, diseases affecting intestinal function, kidney function or insulin secretion) * Use of medications targeting cholesterol or glucose metabolism * Use of dietary supplements * Pregnant or breastfeeding * Following a strict diet * Had bariatric surgery or using medications for weight loss * Recent or planned surgical procedures * High intake of fish/seafood

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Arthralgia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

How to take part

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