Impact of fish oil dose on blood, muscle & fat tissue content/function
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Impact of omega (ω)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) upon blood, muscle and adipose tissue content and function: Dosing and Washout study
IRAS ID
280280
Contact name
Milena Banic
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Stirling
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 28 days
Research summary
Muscle is crucial for health. As people get older their muscle mass decreases, which is detrimental for health. Above a certain threshold loss of muscle mass is defined as ‘sarcopenia’. Age-related sarcopenia is prevalent in the UK and it is important to come up with new ways to prevent and treat sarcopenia. Omega (ω)-polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) derived from fish oil have possible beneficial effects on health. Some studies have demonstrated that fish oils have a positive effect on sarcopenia. To date, we do not know what the most effective strategy of supplementation is, nor do we know how quickly n-3 PUFAs are incorporated into blood, muscle and fat tissue, or how long it takes before it leaves the body in young and older people.
This study aims to tackle these problems by executing a 5-month study where we will track the incorporation and washout of n-3 PUFA into blood, muscle and fat tissue following two different dosing strategies (a loading + maintenance dose group vs continuous moderate dose) in healthy young and older (pre-)sarcopenic volunteers.
Participants in the constant-groups will take a constant dose of fish oil throughout the of the study.
Participants in the loading-groups will receive a high loading dose (double the constant dose) for the 1st month but will change to a low maintenance dose (half the constant dose) for the last two months. After 12 weeks of supplementation, all groups will be followed for two months. n-3 PUFAS are administered in supplemented form.
Data gathered from this study will be used to establish novel dosing strategies and provide insights into the incorporation of n-3 PUFAs in different tissues and their washout in young and older participants. Ultimately, these insights will help targeting, prevention and treatment of sarcopenia.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/EM/0214
Date of REC Opinion
15 Oct 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion