Abstract
Abstract Previous studies consistently showed a key role for omega-3 fatty acids in decreasing fat mass (FM) in animal models. Also, increased omega-3 stimulates fat loss in individuals who experience obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. However, it is not known whether omega-3 supplementation make similar effects in healthy individuals with low FM. This study aimed to investigate the effects of omega-3 on changes in body composition, food intake, and lipid profile in healthy athletes. In this double-blind placebo-controlled RCT, 36 healthy athletes were allocated into omega-3 or placebo groups. Physical activity (global physical activity questionnaire), dietary intake (24-h food recall), anthropometric status, and lipid profile were measured at baseline and after 3-weeks. 35 volunteers completed the trial. The weight did not significantly change at the end of the study. Body fat% decreased significantly at the end of the study in the omega-3 group (p=0.003), but intergroup differences were not significant (p=0.77). FM decreased and fat free mass (FFM) increased in omega-3 groups (p<0.05). HDL-C increased (omega-3 group p=0.001; placebo group p=0.01; after adjustment for baseline values p=0.78). Also, in the omega-3 group, energy intake (p=0.0007) and protein intake (p=0.04) increased after intervention, but after baseline adjustments they were not significant. In conclusion, 3-week omega-3 supplementation seems to be not effective in decreased FM, increased HDL-C, and energy and protein intakes in athletes. Further studies are recommended to determine the effect of different doses of omega-3 on adipose tissue and blood lipids in athletes with low FM. Clinical Trial Registration The present study was prospectively registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Studies on December 19, 2019 (ID: 20190625044008N1).
Highlights
Nutritional supplements improve health indicators in the general population and especially in athletes
Further studies are recommended to determine the effect of different doses of omega-3 on adipose tissue and blood lipids in athletes with low fat mass (FM)
The inclusion criteria were: 1) Athlete volunteers who have national sports rank or players of the professional soccer or any sports leagues; 2) At the age range of 20 to 30 years old; 3) BMI between 18.5 to 25 kg/m2; 4) Intake of omega-3 less than 1600 mg/day according to food frequency questionnaire (FFQ: 147 items) in last year; 5) Avoidance of any weight reducing drugs, dietary supplements, vitamins, minerals, and protein powders at least 6 months before and throughout the intervention; 6) Not having coagulopathy blood disease, kidney disease, liver damage, pancreatitis, diabetes, cancer, thyroid disorders, and inflammatory diseases or history of heart disease and stroke according to the individual statement; 7) No smoking; 8) Normal blood lipid profile tests before the start of the study
Summary
Nutritional supplements improve health indicators in the general population and especially in athletes. According to the International Olympic Committee, athletes use dietary supplements for various reasons such as remain in good health, intake of specific nutrients that is beneficial for their sports, replacement of micro and macronutrient deficiencies, and provide the energy balance that might be difficult to achieve through food intake alone [1] One of these nutritional supplements that widely used in recent years are omega-3 fatty acids that claimed to be useful for accelerate recovery, decreased appetite, change the expression of metabolic-related genes, increased muscle protein synthesis, and decreased fat mass (FM) [1,2,3]. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of omega-3 supplementation on weight, body composition, food intake and lipid profile changes
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