Serum and diet long‐chain omega‐3 fatty acid nutritional status in Chinese elite athletes

Abstract

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) are essential for improving the health and performance of athletes. The present study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of omega-3 PUFAs in Chinese elite athletes by both dietary intake analysis and serum biomarker detection. A cross-sectional analysis of data from 54 elite athletes (24 men and 30 women) from Shanghai professional sports teams was conducted. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was employed to analyze dietary intake, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) was conducted to measure serum biomarkers of PUFAs. Correlation analysis was performed to investigate the relationships of PUFA biomarkers with diet, inflammation and oxidative stress. The results showed that the median intake of EPA + DHA among athletes was 132 mg/d, which is lower than the minimum value recommended by dietary guidelines (250 mg/d). The average serum EPA + DHA was 4.0 AE 1.1%, and the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 was 7.7 AE 1.7. Most (96.3%) of the athletes were below the targeted value of serum EPA + DHA, which is associated with a reduction in cardiovascular risk. Correlation analysis showed that the serum EPA + DHA was positively correlated with the long-term dietary intake of EPA + DHA and negatively correlated with inflammatory markers. In conclusion, the serum circulating EPA + DHA and omega-6/omega-3 ratio are effective biomarkers reflecting the nutritional status of PUFAs in athletes. Omega-3 PUFAs have a potential effect on inhibiting inflammatory markers. Hence, it is necessary for Chinese athletes to improve their suboptimal nutritional status of PUFAs through dietary intervention.

Mass Sportrometry: An annual look back at applications of mass spectrometry in sport and exercise science

“…In 2022, targeted analyses were the most commonly applied approach for MS‐based research in SES, with 52 human participant studies published. These experiments were predominantly performed in plasma 6,16–35 or serum, 36–50 with other biosamples mediums utilized such as urine, 51–55 fecal matter, 56,57 breath gases, 58–63 red blood cells, 64 cerebrospinal fluid, 25 hair, 65 and whole blood via microsampling 66 . This excludes the use of IR and elemental MS to target specific isotope/elemental signatures, which are discussed individually within section 3.5.…”

“…In 2022, targeted analyses were the most commonly applied approach for MS-based research in SES, with 52 human participant studies published. These experiments were predominantly performed in plasma 6,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] or serum, [36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50] with other biosamples mediums utilized such as urine, [51][52][53][54][55] fecal matter, 56,57 breath gases, [58][59][60][61][62][63] red blood cells, …”

“…In 2022, targeted analyses were the most commonly applied approach for MS‐based research in SES, with 52 human participant studies published. These experiments were predominantly performed in plasma 6 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 or serum, 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 with other biosamples mediums utilized such as urine, 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 fecal matter, 56 , 57 breath gases, 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , …”