The Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on the Lipid Profile and Cardiovascular Markers Following Downhill Running in Long-Distance Runners.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized controlled trial
PubMed 38053947 · doi:10.5114/jhk/174107
What was done
Twenty-four male long-distance runners were randomized to receive either 3,000 mg daily of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids or a placebo for three weeks. Following the intervention, participants performed an eccentric downhill running exercise test. Blood samples were collected at rest and after exercise to evaluate erythrocyte membrane fatty acid composition (EPA, DHA), cardiac damage markers (CKMB, hsTnT, H-FABP), inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-alpha), and lipid profiles.
What was found
Erythrocyte membrane content of EPA and DHA increased significantly from baseline to week three in the supplemented group (p < 0.001), as did total erythrocyte omega-3 PUFA content at study completion (p < 0.001). The abstract notes that supplementation improved blood lipid profiles and reduced post-exercise concentrations of inflammatory mediators and cardiac damage markers, but specific numerical values and effect sizes were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This trial suggests that short-term, high-dose omega-3 supplementation alters cell membrane composition and may dampen acute inflammatory and cardiac stress responses provoked by strenuous eccentric endurance exercise.
Limits
The sample size was small (n = 24) and limited strictly to male distance runners. The trial duration was short (three weeks), and the abstract omits quantitative values and confidence intervals for the lipid profile, cytokine, and cardiac damage outcomes.
Cited by
- supports Omega-3 fatty acids can prevent cardiac injury biomarkers after endurance running or downhill running.