Chronic Supplementation w/ Fish Oil Increase Fat Oxidation

[YellowJacket]

CHRONIC SUPPLEMENTATION WITH FISH OIL INCREASES FAT OXIDATION DURING EXERCISE IN YOUNG MEN.

Derek M. Huffman, Jody L. Michaelson, Tom R. Thomas. JEP online. 2004;7( 1):48-56.

Recent evidence suggests that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil (FO) stimulate fat oxidation in liver and perhaps skeletal muscle. Our purpose was to examine the effect of an acute high-dose and a chronic low-dose of FO on fat oxidation during exercise. Seven recreationally active males (age 21-27 yr) jogged for 60 min at 60% VO₂max in three trials administered in random order: 1) no meal (NM), 2) 4 h following a high-fat meal (HFM), and 3) 4 h following an isocaloric HFM partly substituted with FO (HFM+FO). The FO supplement contained 60% eicosapentaenoic acid, and 40% docosahexaenoic acid. Subjects then supplemented 4 g/day of FO for 3 wk and while remaining on the supplementation regimen, repeated the same three trials in random order. Indirect calorimetry was used for the determination of oxygen consumption, respiratory exchange ratio, and energy expenditure from fat and carbohydrate. Heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion were also monitored for each test. The acute high-dose FO had no significant affect on fat use during exercise. In contrast, chronic supplementation significantly augmented total fat energy expenditure as compared to trials before supplementation in each of the three treatments versus trials prior to chronic supplementation (NM, 269.1 ? 49.8 v. 245.7 ? 36.2 Kcal, P = 0.009; HFM, 295.2 ? 40.2 v. 260.8 ? 36.4, P = 0.001; HFM+FO, 299.0 ? 38.7 v. 280.4 ? 35.9 Kcal, P = 0.002). These data suggest that chronic, but not acute FO supplementation enhanced the contribution of lipid during exercise in young active males.



Full article can be found at: http://www.asep.org/files/HuffmanV2.pdf

[Scrumhalf]

YJ, are the omega-3 fatty acids in FO better than those from, say, flax seed oil?

I noted the following sentence in the above article: "EPA and DHA from FO have been unequivocally demonstrated to be a more potent activator of PPAR-a than other types of fatty acids of the n-6 (linoleic acid, 18:2) and n-3 (linolenic, 18:3) variety (3)."

I'll try to look for reference 3 online later today when I get some time.

[THE BOUNCER]

Scrumhalf, EPA and DHA are what is backed by the studies and science. Fish Oil supplies the direct form of EPA and DHA. Flax seed oil has to be converted to EPA and DHA in the body. The body isn't very efficient at this. bottom line, Fish Oil = Direct Source, Flax = has to be converted.

[Scrumhalf]

Cool B, thanks for the info!