Abstract
Runners (n = 24) reported to the laboratory in an overnight fasted state at 8:00 am on two occasions separated by at least two weeks. After providing a blood sample at 8:00 am, subjects ingested 0.5 liters flavored water alone or 0.5 liters water with 7 kcal kg−1 chia seed oil (random order), provided another blood sample at 8:30 am, and then started running to exhaustion (~70% VO2max). Additional blood samples were collected immediately post- and 1-h post-exercise. Despite elevations in plasma alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) during the chia seed oil (337%) versus water trial (35%) (70.8 ± 8.6, 20.3 ± 1.8 μg mL−1, respectively, p < 0.001), run time to exhaustion did not differ between trials (1.86 ± 0.10, 1.91 ± 0.13 h, p = 0.577, respectively). No trial differences were found for respiratory exchange ratio (RER) (0.92 ± 0.01), oxygen consumption, ventilation, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and plasma glucose and blood lactate. Significant post-run increases were measured for total leukocyte counts, plasma cortisol, and plasma cytokines (Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-8 (IL-8), Interleukin-10 (IL-10), and Tumor necrosis factors-α (TNF-α)), with no trial differences. Chia seed oil supplementation compared to water alone in overnight fasted runners before and during prolonged, intensive running caused an elevation in plasma ALA, but did not enhance run time to exhaustion, alter RER, or counter elevations in cortisol and inflammatory outcome measures.
Highlights
The essential fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3n-3) can be metabolically converted to long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA; 22:5n-3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) [1,2]
Enzymatic conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA is relatively inefficient in humans, with less than 1% converted to DHA, 0.3% to 8% to EPA in men, and up to 21% in women [2]
0.7% of total fatty acids in adipose tissue, and we have previously shown using metabolomics that ALA is strongly mobilized during exercise, with plasma levels increasing nearly 6-fold following prolonged, intensive exercise [15]
Summary
The essential fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3n-3) can be metabolically converted to long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA; 22:5n-3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) [1,2]. 0.7% of total fatty acids in adipose tissue, and we have previously shown using metabolomics that ALA is strongly mobilized during exercise, with plasma levels increasing nearly 6-fold following prolonged, intensive exercise [15]. For all of these reasons, ALA may function as a fuel substrate during long-duration exercise, especially in the later stages when carbohydrate stores are depleted. One previous study showed that a mixture of chia seeds and a 6% carbohydrate sports beverage supported 10-km running performance (following a 1-h moderate run) to the same level as an isocaloric volume of the 6% carbohydrate sports beverage alone [21] Not measured, these data imply that ALA β-oxidation provided energy to support high intensity running performance. Given the potential for ALA supplementation to support exercise performance and counter post-exercise inflammation, we hypothesized that consuming 7 kcal kg−1 chia seed oil 30 min before treadmill running to exhaustion at a set speed (70% VO2max) would improve performance and attenuate inflammation compared to water alone in overnight fasted runners
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