Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation for 12 Weeks Increases Resting and Exercise Metabolic Rate in Healthy Community-Dwelling Older Females.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized controlled trial
PubMed 26679702 · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0144828
What was done
Twenty-four healthy community-dwelling older females (age 66 ± 1 yr) were randomized to receive either 3 g/day of EPA and DHA (fish oil) or an olive oil placebo for 12 weeks. Resting metabolic measures were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Exercise metabolic rate, body composition, functional capacity, blood pressure, heart rate, and blood markers (insulin, glucose, C-reactive protein, and triglycerides) were measured before and after the 12-week intervention.
What was found
Fish oil supplementation significantly increased resting metabolic rate by 14%, exercise energy expenditure by 10%, resting fat oxidation by 19%, exercise fat oxidation by 27%, lean mass by 4%, and functional capacity by 7%. Triglycerides decreased by 29% in the fish oil group, with no significant changes in the placebo group. Numerical results for blood pressure, heart rates, insulin, glucose, and C-reactive protein were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
Supplementation with long-chain omega-3 fatty acids may help counteract age-related decreases in resting metabolic rate, fat oxidation, and lean mass in older females.
Limits
The study was limited by a small sample size (n = 24) and included only healthy older females, limiting generalizability. Several secondary outcomes specified in the objectives lacked reported numerical findings in the abstract.
Cited by
- partial Studies have shown that DHA and EPA increase resting metabolic rate by 19% and exercise fat oxidation by 27% in older women.