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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how fish oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, affects muscle health. Researchers aim to determine if omega-3s enhance muscle strength and how they affect muscles after discontinuing the supplement. They also seek to understand any differences in these effects between men and women. Ideal participants are recreationally active, not allergic to fish, and not currently taking fish oil or steroids. As an unphased trial, this study allows participants to contribute to understanding the broader benefits of omega-3s on muscle health.

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.

Is there any evidence suggesting that omega-3 fatty acids are safe for humans?

Research has shown that fish oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, is generally safe for use. Many individuals take it for benefits like supporting heart health and aiding cell growth. Studies indicate that most people tolerate fish oil well, with only a few mild side effects, such as a fishy taste or slight digestive issues.

Fish oil has been studied for its health benefits, including managing cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of heart problems. This suggests that fish oil is usually safe for long-term use.

In clinical trials, researchers often use fish oil due to its established safety, especially compared to new drugs. However, consulting a doctor before starting any new supplement is wise, particularly if there are health concerns or other medications involved. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Fish oil is unique because it harnesses omega-3 fatty acids, which are not typically used in traditional muscle health treatments. Most current options focus on protein supplements or medications that address muscle degeneration differently. Researchers are excited about fish oil because omega-3s have a novel mechanism of action—they potentially enhance muscle protein synthesis and reduce inflammation, offering a natural alternative to support muscle health. Unlike conventional treatments, fish oil could provide additional heart health benefits, making it an attractive option for comprehensive wellness.

What evidence suggests that omega-3 fatty acids might be an effective treatment for muscle health?

Research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids, such as those in fish oil, might improve muscle strength. Studies have found that omega-3 supplements can boost muscle function, especially when combined with strength exercises. Some research also suggests these supplements might protect muscles and aid joint flexibility. However, not all studies agree, and some show only small effects, particularly in healthy adults. Overall, evidence suggests fish oil could benefit muscle health, but results can vary. Participants in this trial will receive fish oil supplements to evaluate their effects on muscle health. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Chris McGlory, PhD

Principal Investigator

Queen's University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Citations

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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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This review focuses on the effects of EPA and DHA on muscle damage and function as evaluated by human and animal experiments.

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sciencedirect.com

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sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405457725001032

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jissn.biomedcentral.com

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We concluded that shorter period EPA and DHA supplementation benefits joint flexibility and protection of muscle fiber following ECCs.

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mayoclinic.org

mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-fish-oil/art-20364810

Fish oil

Fish oil is a dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids. Your body needs omega-3 fatty acids for many functions, from muscle activity to cell growth.

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ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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Omega-3 Fatty Acids - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

Omega-3 (ω-3) fatty acids, renowned for their multiple health benefits, are pivotal in managing hyperlipidemia by modulating lipid profiles.

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webmd.com

webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-993/fish-oil

Fish Oil - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Fish oil comes from many types of fish. It is rich in two important omega-3 fatty acids called eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

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sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2161831322009620

Omega-3 Fatty Acids EPA and DHA: Health Benefits ...

Fish-derived omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA have been associated with fetal development, cardiovascular function, and Alzheimer's disease.

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Fish Oil–Derived Fatty Acids, Docosahexaenoic Acid and ...

Our data provide further confirmation for the concept that fish oil–derived fatty acids reduce the risk of acute coronary events.