This post is intended mostly as a follow up/update, to Monica’s must read article on fish oil (EPA/DHA) and their potential impact on muscle growth as well as age related muscle loss, in younger and older populations found HERE. This new study suggests the combination of resistance training (RT) and EPA/DHA (the active lipids in “fish oil”), has statistically significant effects when combined with RT in older adults. Be it for general health, reducing/controlling inflammation, and possibly positively impacting muscle mass and performance at any age, but especially if over 40, take your fish oil!
In terms of combating age related loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia), and how to prevent it, fish oil is recommended, as well as other strategies, HERE.
Fish oil administration combined with resistance exercise training improves strength, resting metabolic rate, and inflammation in older adults
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research (2022)
Abstract
Background
While fish oil (FO) has attracted great attention due to their health-enhancing properties, its potential to enhance benefits from resistance exercise training (RET) has not been fully elucidated yet.
Aims
The aim of this study was to investigate effects of FO administration during 12 weeks of programmed RET on muscular strength, resting metabolic rate (RMR), and systemic inflammation in healthy older adults.
Methods
Twenty-eight healthy older adults were randomly assigned to three experimental groups: sedentary control (CON), resistance exercise training (RET), or RET combined with FO (RET-FO). A one-repetition (1RM) of maximum muscle strength, RMR, substrate oxidation, and blood inflammatory biomarkers were assessed before and after the intervention. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.
Results
1RM muscle strength was significantly increased in RET and RET-FO while substantially decreased in CON. RMR greatly increased in RET and RET-FO with no change in CON. RET-FO exhibited significantly increased fatty acid oxidation, but no change was found in CON and RET. Systemic interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly decreased from baseline in RET-FO while no change was observed in CON and RET.
Conclusion
Our data indicate chronic RET reversed aging-induced loss of muscle strength and improved RMR, while FO administration combined with RET appears to enhance fat metabolism and mildly reduce some indicators of systemic inflammation.
Will Brink is the owner of the Brinkzone Blog. Will has over 30 years experience as a respected author, columnist and consultant, to the supplement, fitness, bodybuilding, and weight loss industry and has been extensively published. Will graduated from Harvard University with a concentration in the natural sciences, and is a consultant to major supplement, dairy, and pharmaceutical companies.
His often ground breaking articles can be found in publications such as Lets Live, Muscle Media 2000, MuscleMag International, The Life Extension Magazine, Muscle n Fitness, Inside Karate, Exercise For Men Only, Body International, Power, Oxygen, Penthouse, Women’s World and The Townsend Letter For Doctors.
He’s also been published in peer reviewed journals.
Will is the author of the popular e-books, both accompanied by private members forum access , Bodybuilding Revealed & Fat Loss Revealed.
You can also buy Will’s other books on Amazon, Apple iBook, and Barnes and Noble.
Thank you for the article. Nature Made 1200 mg Fish Oil has 360mg EPA and 240 mg per 2 softgels. I prefer the softgels rather than bottled brands requiring refrigeration.
Did the study disclose how the dosage of the fish was conducted?
Regards,
Jerry Bruton