The role of omega-3 fatty acids in skeletal muscle anabolism, strength, and function in healthy and diseased states

Abstract

Omega-3 fatty acids (LCn-3PUFAs) have become increasingly successful and important components of diet regimens used for improving and/or maintaining muscle mass, strength, and functional ability, especially in older adults, for certain illnesses or during traumatic injury. Using data from human, cell culture and animal model-based studies, various investigators suggest that LCn-3PUFAs are extremely potent in either directly stimulating muscle protein anabolism or reducing muscle and plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, a few others report that such benefits from LCn-3PUFAs are at best minimal. In recognition of the growing importance of LCn-3PUFAs in nutritional strategies aimed at maintaining adequate muscle mass, strength, and function during various circumstances, this work provides an examination of available data, reviews certain limitations of available studies on this theme, and suggests areas of focus for future research. Practical applications As the largest tissue in the body, skeletal muscle metabolism has a substantial impact on an individual's overall health, thus dietary strategies are critical to help optimize its metabolic functions. This review will contribute toward increasing awareness of the growing efforts and strategies to incorporate LCn-3PUFAs in diet regimens and supplements used to counteract diminishing muscle mass, strength, and function due to sarcopenia and other muscle impairment conditions such as cancers, traumatic injury, and infection (sepsis). More research is needed in this area to address issues such as the minimum dose of LCn-3PUFAs supplementation required to maintain and/or increase muscle protein synthesis or lean body mass, and what ratio of administered LCn-3PUFAs is absorbed into the blood.