Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaneoic Acid (DHA) in Muscle Damage and Function

Abstract

Nutritional supplementation not only helps in improving and maintaining performance in sports and exercise, but also contributes in reducing exercise fatigue and in recovery from exhaustion. Fish oil contains large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6 n-3). It is widely known that omega-3 fatty acids are effective for improving cardiac function, depression, cognitive function, and blood as well as lowering blood pressure. In the relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and exercise performance, previous studies have been predicted improved endurance performance, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses, and effectivity against delayed-onset muscle soreness. However, the optimal dose, duration, and timing remain unclear. This review focuses on the effects of omega-3 fatty acid on muscle damage and function as evaluated by human and animal studies and summarizes its effects on muscle and nerve damage, and muscle mass and strength.

Plasma omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and tocopherol statuses and their relationships with aging-related diseases

“…However, overdose of tocopherol (more than 400 IU/day) might interference with warfarin effects [54], and were associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality [55] and heart failure [56]. High dose purified omega-3 PUFA (4 g/day) would reduce plasma TG and ischemic events [10,57], while the optimal dose, duration, and timing remain unclear [58]. Despite the inconsistent results obtained in previous studies, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends patients with cardiovascular diseases, especially those with hypertriglyceridemia to take seafood or omega-3 PUFA supplements [59][60][61][62].…”

Supplementation with fish oil reduces morphological aspects of muscle damage induced by intense exercise in rats

“…Studies report few adverse effects with the use of omega-3 PUFA-rich supplements. Doses greater than 3 g/day in humans have been related to higher risks of hemorrhagic events due to a longer bleeding time [11,56,57]. Simopoulos [26] recommends that most athletes, especially at the leisure level, should include in their diet about 1-2 g/day of omega-3 PUFA.…”

“…Among other food components that have physiological action and are considered a functional substance, the compounds rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of type omega-3 have aroused the researchers' interest and also caught considerable attention concerning nutritional support to maintain muscle fiber integrity and damage inhibition after exercise [2,[9][10][11]. This attention is related to the antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory properties conferred to these fatty acids [12,13].…”

“…The consumption of compounds rich in omega-3 PUFA may be associated with decrease of muscle damage indirect markers [9][10][11][18][19][20]. Knowledge about these benefits is important for athletes, who are constantly subjected to muscular damage, especially when they perform high-intensity eccentric exercises.…”

Dietary and Biological Assessment of Omega-3 Status of Collegiate Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

“…These ω-3 FA have also been shown to play important physiological roles among the cardiovascular,(1–6) nervous,(7–13) and skeletal muscle systems(14–18), and in the body’s inflammatory response. (19–26) In athletes, ω-3 FA have been associated with the management of exercise-induced oxidative stress,(19,20,23–25) delayed onset muscle soreness,(21,22,25,26) oxygen efficiency during aerobic exercise,(2) anaerobic endurance capacity,(3) and skeletal muscle health. (14–18) The potential neuroprotective role of DHA as related to concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI) has also been investigated.…”