Fish oil supplementation and maintaining muscle mass in chronic disease: state of the evidence

Abstract

Purpose of Review: Providing EPA and DHA, in the form of fish oils, to benefit muscle is an emerging area of interest. The aim of this work was to evaluate the current literature that has assessed muscle mass as an outcome during a fish oil intervention in any chronic disease. Recent Findings:The vast majority of studies published in the last 3 years (12 out of 15) have been conducted in the oncological setting, in patients undergoing treatment for cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, breast, head and neck, lung, cervix and hematological cancers. Three studies were conducted in patients with COPD. Fish oil was provided as part of a nutrient mixtures in 12 studies and as capsules in 3 studies. Summary:Overall the evidence for an effect of fish oil supplementation on muscle mass in cancer patients undergoing treatment and in COPD remains unequivocal and reveals nothing new in the area of fish oil supplementation in the cancer setting which continues to provide mixed evidence on the efficacy of fish oil on muscle mass and function. This review highlights challenges in comparing and interpreting current studies aimed at testing fish oil supplementation for muscle health.