Abstract
Several studies have shown that rodents accumulate less body fat when fed diets rich in fish oil (FO) compared to isoenergetic diets rich in other fats. However, little is known about this effect in humans. PURPOSE 1) To determine the effect of supplemental FO in humans on resting metabolic rate (RMR) and body composition and 2) To determine if there is a difference in response to varying doses of FO. METHODS 32 healthy men and women (50±16 y, mean±SD) participated in this study. Baseline measurements of body composition (using air displacement), RMR (indirect calorimetry using a face mask), blood (glucose, triglycerides [TG], insulin), and 24h urine creatinine (CR) were made following an overnight fast. Subjects were matched for fat-free mass and assigned to one of four groups: Safflower oil (SO) −9g/d; Low FO (LFO) – 3g/d concentrated FO supplying 900 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 600 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); Medium FO (MFO) – 6g/d FO supplying 1.8g EPA and 1.2g DHA per day; High FO (HFO) – 9g/d FO supplying 2.7g EPA and 1.8g DHA. All tests were repeated following 28d of treatment. RESULTS RMR increased with FO supplementation (LFO +488±199 kcal/d, p < 0.05; mean±SEM; MFO + 196±48 kcal/d, p < 0.10; HFO + 141±83 kcal/d, p > 0.10) and decreased in SO (−65±77, p > 0.10). Urine CR excretion increased in HFO (LFO 30±80 mg/d, p > 0.10; MFO 60±50 mg/d, p > 0.10; HFO 200±100 mg/d p < 0.10) and decreased in SO (−260 ± 160 mg/d, p < 0.05). TG decreased significantly in all FO groups (p < 0.05), with no change in SO. Body composition changes were non-significant. CONCLUSION 28d of FO supplementation in humans: 1) significantly decreases TG with all doses and 2) increases RMR: however, this effect appears to be greater at the lower doses. Lean mass changes do not appear to explain this change in RMR. Supported by The Joe Weider Foundation, The Gatorade Sport Science Institute, Solgar Inc., and Alaska-Fish-Oil.com
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