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May 14, 2007
Omega-3 fatty acids may help build muscle
A report published in the February, 2007 issue of the Journal of Physiology (volume 579, issue 1) described the findings of a team led by Carole Thivierge of the Université Laval in Quebec that omega-3 fatty acids benefit muscle protein metabolism.
The ability to convert nutrients from food into muscle proteins declines with age in humans and other mammals. Insulin resistance occurring in aging muscle cells may be the reason for this occurrence. Acting on the knowledge that omega-3 fatty acids improve glucose metabolism in humans and animals who demonstrate insulin resistance, the researchers added omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, or a cottonseed and olive oil mixture that did not contain the fatty acids to the diet of steers for five weeks to evaluate the effect on protein metabolism.
At the study's conclusion, animals that received the fish oil-supplemented diet had increased insulin sensitivity resulting in twice the amount of amino acids being used by their bodies to synthesize protein, particularly in muscles.
Dr Thivierge and colleagues conducted the study in an attempt to find an alternative to the use of hormones to stimulate growth in cattle. Calves begin to be less efficient at converting food into muscle at four to six months. "Adding fish oil to their diet could prevent this decline by restoring insulin sensitivity in aging animals," Dr Thivierge stated. "In addition, it could contribute to reducing the amount of by-product emissions in the environment, since animals that are given omega-3’s spontaneously eat 10% less food to achieve the same weight gain."
Dr Thivierge suggests that omega-3 fatty acids could help prevent muscle wasting in older individuals and improve the ability of athletes to build muscle. However, she added that "For increased muscle protein metabolism to take place in people younger than 50, physical training is still required."
Omega-3 fatty acids may help build muscle
A report published in the February, 2007 issue of the Journal of Physiology (volume 579, issue 1) described the findings of a team led by Carole Thivierge of the Université Laval in Quebec that omega-3 fatty acids benefit muscle protein metabolism.
The ability to convert nutrients from food into muscle proteins declines with age in humans and other mammals. Insulin resistance occurring in aging muscle cells may be the reason for this occurrence. Acting on the knowledge that omega-3 fatty acids improve glucose metabolism in humans and animals who demonstrate insulin resistance, the researchers added omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, or a cottonseed and olive oil mixture that did not contain the fatty acids to the diet of steers for five weeks to evaluate the effect on protein metabolism.
At the study's conclusion, animals that received the fish oil-supplemented diet had increased insulin sensitivity resulting in twice the amount of amino acids being used by their bodies to synthesize protein, particularly in muscles.
Dr Thivierge and colleagues conducted the study in an attempt to find an alternative to the use of hormones to stimulate growth in cattle. Calves begin to be less efficient at converting food into muscle at four to six months. "Adding fish oil to their diet could prevent this decline by restoring insulin sensitivity in aging animals," Dr Thivierge stated. "In addition, it could contribute to reducing the amount of by-product emissions in the environment, since animals that are given omega-3’s spontaneously eat 10% less food to achieve the same weight gain."
Dr Thivierge suggests that omega-3 fatty acids could help prevent muscle wasting in older individuals and improve the ability of athletes to build muscle. However, she added that "For increased muscle protein metabolism to take place in people younger than 50, physical training is still required."
