Association Between Fish Consumption and Muscle Mass and Function in Middle-Age and Older Adults

Abstract

Background: Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, represents a crucial risk factor for disability and mortality. Increasing intake of some nutrients, particularly protein and omega-3 fatty acids seems to be a promising strategy to augment muscle mass and function.Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the beneficial effects of fish consumption on muscle mass and function among middle-age and older adults.Methods: Twenty-two adults aged 50–85 years participated in this study. Participants were asked to consume 150–170-g of fish for lunch twice a week for a 10-week period. During that period, participants were asked to maintain their normal diet and physical activity. Outcome measures included anthropometry, muscle mass, and muscle function. All these measures were assessed at baseline, week 5, and week 10. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to analyze statistical significance.Results: Consuming fish twice a week for 10 weeks significantly increased the skeletal muscle mass and appendicular lean mass divided by height squared (ALM/h2) (p < 0.01). Handgrip strength and gait speed <0.8 m/s were also improved (p < 0.01) at week 10 compared with that at baseline.Discussion: Consuming fish seems to improve muscle mass and function and may slow sarcopenia progression in middle-age and older adults.

Phase Angle Association with Dietary Habits and Metabolic Syndrome in Diabetic Hypertensive Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Considering that PhA reflects muscle quality [ 28 ], a recent study examining the actual benefits of fish consumption in terms of the beneficial effects of the biological compounds contained in fish on muscle mass found that fish consumption has a protective and anti-inflammatory effect on skeletal muscle mass [ 49 ]. A previous study also demonstrated that the consumption of fish twice weekly over a 10-week period resulted in a significant increase in skeletal muscle mass and appendicular lean mass [ 50 ].…”

Exploring the Potential of Olive Flounder Processing By-Products as a Source of Functional Ingredients for Muscle Enhancement

“…Fish are an important component of diet worldwide because they greatly improve overall health with their rich nutritional profiles. With widespread recognition of the preventive effects of fish consumption on diseases such as muscle wasting-induced sarcopenia through large-scale cohort studies, fish-based diets are gradually gaining popularity [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. However, as fish consumption increases, appropriate utilization of fish processing by-products remains limited [ 22 ].…”

Association between fish intake and prevalence of frailty in community-dwelling older adults after 4-year follow-up: the Korean frailty and aging cohort study

“…Furthermore, plasma levels of n-3 PUFA were associated with faster gait speed in Italian women at a 3-year follow-up ( 48 ), and with lower risk of mobility disability, defined as having difficulty in walking or climbing steps, in older Icelandic women ( 49 ). Alhussain et al ( 50 ) reported that gait speed increased significantly after consumption of fish during 10 weeks in older Saudi Arabian adults. A meta-analysis of clinical studies revealed that n-3 PUFA supplementation improved gait speed in older Americans and Europeans ( 15 ).…”

“…The present study showed that the intake of total seafood and fish was associated with handgrip strength at baseline and at the 4-year follow-up. Consumption of fish significantly increased handgrip strength in older Saudi Arabian adults ( 50 ). A meta-analysis of the clinical studies also showed that n-3 PUFA supplementation improved handgrip strength in older Americans and Europeans ( 14 ).…”