Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Muscle Health

Overseen By Chris McGlory, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Dr. Chris McGlory, PhD

Must not be taking: Fish oil, Steroids

Disqualifiers: Muscular, Neurological, Respiratory, Metabolic, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 4 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

Duration: 6 weeks

29 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you must not be taking fish oil supplements or any form of steroid.

What data supports the idea that Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Muscle Health is an effective treatment?

The available research shows that Omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in fish oil, can help improve muscle health. Studies have found that in older adults, taking Omega-3 supplements for 8 to 24 weeks can lead to better muscle growth and strength. This is because Omega-3s help the body build muscle proteins and improve muscle size. Additionally, Omega-3s may help muscles recover faster after exercise and reduce muscle soreness. While more research is needed, these findings suggest that Omega-3s could be a low-cost way to help maintain muscle health, especially as people age. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What safety data exists for omega-3 fatty acids?

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil supplements, are generally considered safe when consumed in moderate amounts. Potential risks include hypervitaminosis A and D, vitamin E deficiency, increased bleeding times, decreased platelets, and ingestion of contaminated fish. Common side effects may include nausea, diarrhea, and a 'fishy' taste. Long-term clinical trials are needed to fully understand their safety across different populations and conditions. ^{2 4 6 7 8}

Is fish oil a promising treatment for muscle health?

Yes, fish oil, which contains omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA, shows promise for improving muscle health. It may help maintain muscle mass, improve muscle function, and reduce muscle fatigue. This could be especially beneficial for older adults and those with low protein intake. ^{1 2 4 9 10}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Increased omega-3 fatty acid composition of human skeletal muscle phospholipids is linked to improved skeletal muscle strength and growth in women and men. However, what is unknown is if biological sex influences skeletal muscle phospholipid composition in response to omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. Moreover, whilst time course changes in skeletal muscle phospholipid composition with omega-3 fatty acid intake have been established, no study has characterized a washout of omega-3 fatty acids from skeletal muscle phospholipids following cessation of omega-3 fatty acid intake. Thus, the aim of the present investigation is to establish a time course change and washout of omega-3 fatty acids from skeletal muscle phospholipids in response to omega-3 fatty acid intake. The investigators also aim to establish if this washout is impacted by biological sex.

Research Team

Chris McGlory, PhD

Principal Investigator

Queen's University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for recreationally active men and women aged 19-30, not pregnant, with a BMI of 18-29. Participants must be COVID-19 vaccinated per Queen's University guidelines (unless exempt), not allergic to fish, and free from musculoskeletal injuries or serious illnesses like cancer within the last five years.

Inclusion Criteria

I do not have any muscle or bone injuries.

Not allergic to fish

Participants not currently pregnant

Exclusion Criteria

I have had cancer within the last 5 years.

I am currently ill.

I am currently taking steroids.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive omega-3 fatty acid supplementation to assess changes in skeletal muscle and blood phospholipid composition

6 weeks

Visits at 0 and 6 weeks

Washout

Participants undergo a washout period to assess the time course of omega-3 fatty acid washout from skeletal muscle phospholipids

16 weeks

Visits at 8, 16, 20, and 22 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Fish oil

Trial Overview The study investigates how omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil supplements affect muscle strength and growth over time. It will also look at whether biological sex influences these effects and how long it takes for omega-3s to leave the body after stopping supplementation.

Participant Groups

Group I: Fish Oil Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

All participants will be placed in this group

Fish oil is already approved in European Union, United States, Canada, China for the following indications:

Approved in European Union as Fish oil for:

• General health and wellness
• Cardiovascular health
• Inflammation reduction

Approved in United States as Fish oil for:

• General health and wellness
• Cardiovascular health
• Inflammation reduction

Approved in Canada as Fish oil for:

• General health and wellness
• Cardiovascular health
• Inflammation reduction

Approved in China as Fish oil for:

• General health and wellness
• Cardiovascular health
• Inflammation reduction
• Sarcopenia prevention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Dr. Chris McGlory, PhD

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3

Recruited

80+

Dr. Chris McGlory, PhD

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3

Recruited

80+

Queen's University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

382

Recruited

122,000+

Findings from Research

Prolonged supplementation (8 to 24 weeks) with fish oil-derived omega-3 fatty acids has been linked to improved muscle protein synthesis and increased muscle volume in older adults, suggesting a potential for enhancing muscle health.

Higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in red blood cells are associated with better strength and physical function, indicating that omega-3s could be a beneficial dietary strategy to combat age-related muscle decline.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effects of Dietary Omega-3s on Muscle Composition and Quality in Older Adults. Smith, GI.[2019]

Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, particularly EPA and DHA, are beneficial for improving exercise performance, reducing muscle damage, and aiding recovery from fatigue, as supported by various human and animal studies.

Despite the known benefits, the optimal dosage, duration, and timing for omega-3 supplementation in relation to exercise performance are still not clearly defined.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) in Muscle Damage and Function. Ochi, E., Tsuchiya, Y.[2018]

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) effectively protects against muscle damage caused by the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha, as shown in experiments with C2C12 muscle cells, where EPA completely inhibited TNF-alpha's negative effects on muscle cell differentiation and growth.

EPA not only prevented TNF-alpha-induced cell death but also reduced spontaneous apoptosis and necrosis in muscle cells, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for promoting muscle regeneration after injury.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), prevents the damaging effects of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha during murine skeletal muscle cell differentiation. Magee, P., Pearson, S., Allen, J.[2021]

Recent studies, primarily focused on cancer patients (12 out of 15 studies), show mixed results regarding the effectiveness of fish oil supplementation (EPA and DHA) on muscle mass during treatment for various cancers and in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Despite the interest in fish oil for muscle health, the current literature does not provide clear evidence of its benefits, indicating challenges in comparing studies and interpreting results.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fish oil supplementation and maintaining muscle mass in chronic disease: state of the evidence. van der Meij, BS., Mazurak, VC.[2021]

Supplementation with 4 g·d -1 of either EPA or DHA for 52 days significantly improved recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage compared to a placebo, as indicated by better leg press performance and reduced muscle soreness.

The combination of EPA and DHA did not provide additional recovery benefits over taking either one alone, suggesting that using them together may dilute the performance-enhancing effects observed with individual supplementation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: EPA or DHA? Heileson, JL., Harris, DR., Tomek, S., et al.[2023]

DHA derivatives show promise as therapeutic agents for obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease, highlighting their potential in nutrition-based drug discovery.

The review emphasizes the need for further safety and efficacy evaluations of DHA derivatives, which could lead to new treatment options for metabolic and cardiovascular conditions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

DHA derivatives of fish oil as dietary supplements: a nutrition-based drug discovery approach for therapies to prevent metabolic cardiotoxicity. Ma, Y., Lindsey, ML., Halade, GV.[2021]

Omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in fish oil, have been associated with lower incidences of diseases like coronary heart disease and diabetes, likely due to their effects on inflammation and blood viscosity.

While omega-3 supplementation appears to be relatively safe, potential risks include increased bleeding times and gastrointestinal issues, highlighting the need for further long-term studies to confirm their therapeutic benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Biological mechanisms and cardiovascular effects of omega-3 fatty acids. Mueller, BA., Talbert, RL.[2022]

In a study involving 30 normolipidemic adults, both EPA-rich and DHA-rich fish oil supplements effectively lowered plasma triglyceride (TG) levels, indicating their potential for improving lipid profiles.

While both supplements had similar overall effects on lipids, the EPA-rich oil showed greater benefits in reducing inflammation-related HDL proteins and increasing apoM abundance, suggesting it may be more advantageous for cardiovascular health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of Omega-3 Eicosapentaenoic Acid Versus Docosahexaenoic Acid-Rich Fish Oil Supplementation on Plasma Lipids and Lipoproteins in Normolipidemic Adults. Yang, ZH., Amar, M., Sampson, M., et al.[2020]

A 15-week study on male Sprague-Dawley rats showed that diets enriched with low and moderate doses of fish oil (FO) significantly improved muscle fatigue resistance compared to a control diet, with peak force maintained longer during repetitive muscle stimulation.

The fish oil diets led to higher incorporation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in muscle membranes, particularly in fast-twitch muscles, suggesting that even nutritionally relevant doses of fish oil can enhance muscle function and may have implications for human dietary practices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Muscle fatigue resistance in the rat hindlimb in vivo from low dietary intakes of tuna fish oil that selectively increase phospholipid n-3 docosahexaenoic acid according to muscle fibre type. Henry, R., Peoples, GE., McLennan, PL.[2015]

In a study of 1,037 adults aged 20-59, higher levels of plasma omega-3 fatty acids were positively associated with muscle mass index (AMMI) specifically in individuals with low protein intake (less than 0.8 g/kg).

No significant association was found between omega-3 fatty acids and muscle mass in individuals consuming higher protein levels, suggesting that omega-3s may enhance muscle mass benefits primarily when protein intake is insufficient.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Plasma omega-3 fatty acids are positively associated with appendicular muscle mass index only in adults with low protein intake: Results from NHANES 2011-2012. de Branco, FMS., Rinaldi, AEM., Pereira, JL., et al.[2023]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effects of Dietary Omega-3s on Muscle Composition and Quality in Older Adults. [2019]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) in Muscle Damage and Function. [2018]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), prevents the damaging effects of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha during murine skeletal muscle cell differentiation. [2021]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fish oil supplementation and maintaining muscle mass in chronic disease: state of the evidence. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: EPA or DHA? [2023]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

DHA derivatives of fish oil as dietary supplements: a nutrition-based drug discovery approach for therapies to prevent metabolic cardiotoxicity. [2021]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Biological mechanisms and cardiovascular effects of omega-3 fatty acids. [2022]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of Omega-3 Eicosapentaenoic Acid Versus Docosahexaenoic Acid-Rich Fish Oil Supplementation on Plasma Lipids and Lipoproteins in Normolipidemic Adults. [2020]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Muscle fatigue resistance in the rat hindlimb in vivo from low dietary intakes of tuna fish oil that selectively increase phospholipid n-3 docosahexaenoic acid according to muscle fibre type. [2015]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Plasma omega-3 fatty acids are positively associated with appendicular muscle mass index only in adults with low protein intake: Results from NHANES 2011-2012. [2023]