The Influence of n-3PUFA Supplementation on Muscle Strength, Mass, and Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Author(s)

Andre, Heloisa C. Santo ; Esteves, Gabriel P. ; Barreto, Gabriel. H. C. ; Longhini, Fernando ; Dolan, Eimear ; Benatti, Fabiana B.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ADVANCES IN NUTRITION; v. 14, n. 1, p. 13-pg., 2023-02-21.

Abstract

The effects of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFA) supplementation on skeletal muscle are currently unclear. The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize all available evidence regarding the influence of n-3PUFA supplementation on muscle mass, strength, and function in healthy young and older adults. Four databases were searched (Medline, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and SportDiscus). Predefined eligibility criteria were determined according to Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes, and Study Design. Only peer -reviewed studies were included. The Cochrane RoB2 Tool and the NutriGrade approach were used to access risk of bias and certainty in evidence. Effect sizes were calculated using pre-post scores and analyzed using a three-level, random-effects meta-analysis. When sufficient studies were available, subanalyses were performed in the muscle mass, strength, and function outcomes according to participant's age (<60 or >= 60 years), supplementation dosage (<2 or >= 2 g/day), and training intervention ("resistance training" vs. "none or other"). Overall, 14 individual studies were included, total 1443 participants (913 females; 520 males) and 52 outcomes measures. Studies had high overall risk of bias and consideration of all NutriGrade elements resulted in a certainty assessment of moderate meta-evidence for all outcomes. n-3PUFA supplementation had no significant effect on muscle mass (standard mean difference [SMD] = 0.07 [95% CI: -0.02, 0.17], P = 0.11) and muscle function (SMD = 0.03 [95% CI: -0.09, 0.15], P = 0.58), but it showed a very small albeit significant positive effect on muscle strength (SMD = 0.12 [95% CI: 0.006, 0.24], P = 0.04) in participants when compared with placebo. Subgroup analyses showed that age, supplementation dose, or cosupplementation alongside resistance training did not influence these responses. In conclusion, our analyses indicated that n-3PUFA supplementation may lead to very small increases in muscle strength but did not impact muscle mass and function in healthy young and older adults. To our knowledge, this is the first review and meta-analysis investigating whether n-3PUFA supplemen-tation can lead to increases in muscle strength, mass, and function in healthy adults. Registered protocol: doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/ 2FWQT. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/17912-9 - The role of intestinal microbiota on the cardiometabolic response to exercise in women undergoing bariatric surgery: from clinical outcomes to potential mechanisms
• Grantee: Fabiana Braga Benatti
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/05616-6 - The bone response to exercise: a translational research program exploring clinical and mechanistic aspects
• Grantee: Eimear Bernadette Dolan
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/12036-3 - The influence of the CYP1A2 polymorphism on the physiological responses and performance following acute supplementation with caffeine
• Grantee: Gabriel Henrique Castanho Barreto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 20/07860-9 - The influence of exercise training on bone health in patients taking high doses of glucocorticoids
• Grantee: Gabriel Perri Esteves
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 19/26899-6 - The bone response to exercise a translational research program exploring clinical and mechanistic aspects
• Grantee: Eimear Bernadette Dolan
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers
• FAPESP's process: 20/02741-1 - Influence of protein intake on the effectiveness of omega 3 supplementation in gaining muscle mass and strength in healthy adults
• Grantee: Heloisa Castanheira Santo André
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 21/12116-0 - Caffeine, CYP1A2 genotypes and exercise performance: just a matter of timing?
• Grantee: Gabriel Henrique Castanho Barreto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)