Fish oil–derived n–3 PUFA therapy increases muscle mass and function in healthy older adults

• Published in: The American journal of clinical nutrition Vol. 102; no. 1; pp. 115 - 122
• Main Authors: Smith, Gordon I, Julliand, Sophie, Reeds, Dominic N, Sinacore, David R, Klein, Samuel, Mittendorfer, Bettina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Society for Clinical Nutrition 01.07.2015; American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc; American Society for Nutrition
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Adipose Tissue - drug effects; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Body Composition; Body Weight - drug effects; corn oil; Double-Blind Method; elderly; Erythrocytes - drug effects; Erythrocytes - metabolism; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - administration & dosage; Female; fish; Fish oils; Fish Oils - administration & dosage; Hand Strength; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; men; Middle Aged; Mortality; muscle strength; Muscle Strength - drug effects; Muscle, Skeletal - drug effects; Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism; muscles; Older people; omega-3 fatty acids; polyunsaturated fatty acids; Risk factors; risk reduction; sarcopenia; Sarcopenia - prevention & control; therapeutics; Treatment Outcome; women; muscle mass; muscle strength; omega-3 fatty acids; aging; muscle power
• ISSN: 0002-9165; 1938-3207
• DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.114.105833

Background: Age-associated declines in muscle mass and function are major risk factors for an impaired ability to carry out activities of daily living, falls, prolonged recovery time after hospitalization, and mortality in older adults. New strategies that can slow the age-related loss of muscle mass and function are needed to help older adults maintain adequate performance status to reduce these risks and maintain independence. Objective: We evaluated the efficacy of fish oil–derived n–3 (ω -3) PUFA therapy to slow the age-associated loss of muscle mass and function. Design: Sixty healthy 60–85-y-old men and women were randomly assigned to receive n–3 PUFA (n = 40) or corn oil (n = 20) therapy for 6 mo. Thigh muscle volume, handgrip strength, one-repetition maximum (1-RM) lower- and upper-body strength, and average power during isokinetic leg exercises were evaluated before and after treatment. Results: Forty-four subjects completed the study [29 subjects (73%) in the n–3 PUFA group; 15 subjects (75%) in the control group]. Compared with the control group, 6 mo of n–3 PUFA therapy increased thigh muscle volume (3.6%; 95% CI: 0.2%, 7.0%), handgrip strength (2.3 kg; 95% CI: 0.8, 3.7 kg), and 1-RM muscle strength (4.0%; 95% CI: 0.8%, 7.3%) (all P < 0.05) and tended to increase average isokinetic power (5.6%; 95% CI: −0.6%, 11.7%; P = 0.075). Conclusion: Fish oil–derived n–3 PUFA therapy slows the normal decline in muscle mass and function in older adults and should be considered a therapeutic approach for preventing sarcopenia and maintaining physical independence in older adults. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01308957.