The 12-week study, partially funded by Zooca Lipids, involved 266 obese participants with varying insulin resistance (IR) levels and tested different doses of calanus oil, both alone and alongside lifestyle interventions like diet and exercise. The study’s findings are published in Marine Drugs.
“With the growing use of continuous glucose monitors and increased consumer awareness of metabolic health, there’s a strong opportunity to offer a scientifically supported product that fits into early-stage interventions such as when dysglycemia is just beginning,” Marianne Mæhlum, chief marketing and innovation officer at Zooca, told NutraIngredients USA “This is when Calanus oil is likely to be most effective, as an early intervention tool.”
Sourced from copepods
Calanus oil is extracted from the copepods of the same name Calanus finmarchicus. According to Salma et al. (Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids , 2016, Vol. 108, pp. 13-21), C. finmarchicus is “the most abundant crustacean in the North Atlantic Ocean with annual production of several hundred million tonnes.
“The total annual harvest amounts to less than 0.01% of the annual growth in accordance with regulations by Norwegian fisheries management.”
Calanus oil contains the omega-3s EPA and DHA predominantly in the wax ester form (the oil is slightly viscous). The oil also contains astaxanthin, which gives its ruby color.
Wax esters are historically associated with penguin, seal and whale oil, but are being produced by Norwegian company Zooca (formerly Calanus AS) from C. finmarchicus.
Study details
The researchers reported that CO led to measurable improvements in glucose regulation, particularly in individuals with mild insulin resistance.
“CO supplementation improved glucose homeostasis, with effects varying by dose, combination with [lifestyle intervention] and IR phenotype,” the study noted.
One of the most significant outcomes came from the group that took 2 g of CO daily combined with lifestyle changes, which resulted in “a statistically significant reduction in HOMA index.”
As defined by the researchers, the Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA) index “is a mathematical model that provides a tool for estimating IR based on fasting blood glucose and insulin levels,” and is a key marker used to estimate insulin resistance.
The study also found that CO alone—at a higher dose of 4 g per day—produced a meaningful effect in a specific group. According to the authors, there was “a significant reduction in the HOMA index” in participants with mild insulin resistance, defined as a HOMA score between 2.5 and 5.0.
However, no clear benefit was observed in people with more severe insulin resistance, and the authors cautioned that nutritional strategies like CO supplementation may have a limited impact in those cases.
“In severe IR, CO had no further benefit, as no therapeutic approach can be expected from dietary supplements,” they wrote.
The study emphasized the importance of identifying who is most likely to respond to such interventions.
“This finding is significant for clinical considerations as it highlights the variability in intervention effects and underscores the importance of tailoring CO interventions to individual patient profiles,” the researchers added.
Although the study did not directly measure how CO works in the body, it pointed to the oil’s unique nutrient profile as a possible explanation for the metabolic improvements. The researchers suggested these components may work together to support insulin sensitivity, especially in combination with lifestyle efforts.
Industry perspective: Targeting metabolic risk before it progresses
Zooca’s Mæhlum explained that the study’s findings reinforce a key message: Timing matters.
“A key takeaway is that Zooca Calanus Oil appears to be most effective in improving insulin sensitivity in individuals with mild insulin resistance,” she said, which “underscores the importance of early-stage intervention—in other words, introducing supplementation before more advanced metabolic dysfunction sets in.”
That early window—when blood sugar levels begin to shift but have not yet tipped into type 2 diabetes—is where Mæhlum sees the greatest potential.
“It highlights the value of identifying individuals in the pre-diabetic range where nutrient-based interventions like Zooca Calanus Oil can have meaningful metabolic effects—particularly during the window where lifestyle and dietary factors are still modifiable,” she said.
Mæhlum sees a growing opportunity for supplement brands to meet the needs of a population that is increasingly aware of metabolic health—especially with more people using continuous glucose monitors and tracking personal data.
“The study opens the door to positioning Zooca Calanus Oil as a proactive metabolic support strategy—not just a supplement, but part of a broader lifestyle-oriented approach to optimizing insulin sensitivity,” she said.
Beyond the data, the oil’s unique composition may offer an edge in formulation and differentiation. While the study did not explore the biological mechanisms in detail, Mæhlum pointed to what makes the ingredient distinct.
“Marine policosanols are recognized for their potential role in supporting cellular and muscular function, energy expenditure and metabolic health,” she said, adding that “astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant shown in preclinical studies to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.”
She also highlighted the importance of the oil’s structure.
“The wax ester structure of Zooca Calanus Oil offers distinct advantages over other marine oils,” she explained. “Unlike triglycerides or phospholipids, wax esters resist initial digestion, allowing the fatty acids to reach the distal intestine where they can activate GPR120—a nutrient-sensing receptor involved in metabolic, inflammatory and immune regulation.”
Future outlook
With growing interest in metabolic health solutions, Mæhlum said the findings could shape new product development.
“This study adds to a growing body of evidence of a novel marine oil that goes beyond traditional omega-3 supplements,” she said.
“With demonstrated effects on HOMA-Index, fasting insulin and HbA1c, the findings support a more targeted approach to supplement formulation in the metabolic health category.”
Looking ahead, more research is on the horizon.
“We have more data from this clinical study that will be published in the near future, which provides clinical evidence on improved diastolic function,” Mæhlum said. “We’re also planning additional studies to explore the oil’s role in further supporting metabolic health and healthy body composition.”
Ultimately, she sees Zooca Calanus Oil as part of a broader shift toward earlier, more individualized approaches to metabolic support.
“Our long-term vision is to position Zooca Calanus Oil as a science-backed, next-generation marine oil for metabolic support for healthy aging,” she said.
Source: Marine Drugs, 2025, 23, 139. dot: 10.3390/md23040139. “Calanus Oil and Lifestyle Interventions Improve Glucose Homeostasis in Obese Subjects with Insulin Resistance”. Authors: Kerlikowsky, F. et al.
