Increased Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake Is Associated with Low Grip Strength in Elderly Korean Females

Abstract

Omega-3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have anti-inflammatory properties and have recently been considered essential factors for maintaining muscle health. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between omega-3 fatty acid intakes and sarcopenia by assessing grip strength in elderly Koreans who are at risk of sarcopenia. This study was conducted on 5529 individuals (2449 males and 3080 females) aged ≥65 years from the raw data of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015–2019. In this study, we analyzed the association between EPA and DHA intake, calculated from a 24-h recall method data, and grip strength, a diagnostic criterion for sarcopenia. The cut-off values for low grip strength were <26 kg for males and <18 kg for females, which were set for the Asian population. The results indicated that elderly females consuming EPA and DHA below the adequate intake (AI) had significantly lower grip strength (p < 0.0001) and, had a higher percentage contribution from carbohydrates, but a significantly lower percentage contribution from protein (p < 0.0001), compared to elderly females consuming EPA and DHA at or above the AI. In addition, after adjusting for confounding factors, the odds of low grip strength were 0.777 times lower among elderly females consuming EPA and DHA at or above the AI than those consuming EPA and DHA below the AI (95% confidence interval: 0.616–0.979, p = 0.0322). These results suggest that sufficient intake of EPA and DHA is pivotal to mitigate a reduction in grip strength and to improve the quality of nutrient intake among elderly females.

Intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and fish associated with prevalence of low lean mass and muscle mass among older women: Analysis of Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2008-2011

“…A noteworthy point of our findings was that intake of EPA, DHA, and fish was associated with the prevalence of LLM and muscle mass in older women, but not in older men. Consistent with the present study, a higher ratio of daily total n-3 PUFA intake to energy intake was negatively associated with the risk of sarcopenic obesity (7), and intake of EPA and DHA was positively associated with handgrip strength (11) in Korean older women, but not in men, suggesting that intake of n-3 PUFA might be beneficial for sarcopenia among Korean women. In the present study, intakes of EPA and DHA, and ALA were analyzed separately instead of n-3 PUFA, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass was evaluated instead of handgrip strength.…”

“…Epidemiologic studies have consistently reported that the intake of total n-3 PUFA, EPA, and DHA was associated with muscle function measured by leg strength, time to rise from a chair, timed up-and-go, gait speed, handgrip strength, and SPPB in American older adults ( 8 ), Japanese men ( 9 ), Finnish women ( 10 ), and Korean women ( 11 ). Similarly, high plasma concentrations of total n-3 PUFA, EPA, and DHA were associated with gait speed, handgrip strength, and SPPB among older adults in a Three-City study ( 13 ) as well as in Korea ( 6 ), United States ( 15 ), and Italy ( 14 ).…”

“…Consistent with muscle mass, intakes of total n-3 PUFA, EPA, and DHA were positively associated with muscle function in American older adults (8), Japanese men (9), Finnish women (10), and Korean women (11). Sarcopenic older adults consumed less total n-3 PUFA and had lower erythrocyte EPA levels in the Maastricht Sarcopenia Study (12).…”