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

Association between Japanese Diet Adherence and Muscle Weakness in Japanese Adults Aged ≥50 Years: Findings from the JSTAR Cohort Study

“…These components provide an array of essential nutrients, such as animal and vegetable proteins, dietary fiber, and various vitamins and minerals, which may contribute to improved muscle health. A systematic review has indicated that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish enhance muscle strength among older adults [37]. In this study, adherence to the Japanese dietary pattern was also inversely correlated with the occurrence of muscle weakness in a multivariate analysis that adjusted for energy and protein intake, which both affect muscle strength.…”

Long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids for the management of age- and disease-related declines in skeletal muscle mass, strength and physical function

“…Second, the considerable heterogeneity between studies in terms of methods utilized to measure muscle mass and physical function likely exacerbates this issue of low statistical power and contributed to the discrepant findings between systematic reviews. For instance, whereas only gold standard measurements of muscle mass, that is, computed tomography, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), Bod Pod and hydrostatic underwater weighing were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by Santo Andre et al [38], Huang et al [41] also included assessments of muscle mass based on bioelectrical impedance. Moreover, a range of physical function assessments have been conducted across studies, including 30-s sit-to-stand, walking speed and grip strength, primarily in community-dwelling older adults rather than people who are frail or living with sarcopenia.…”

“…Since 2021, eight systematic reviews and meta-analyses have been published investigating the effects of LCn-3 PUFA ingestion on muscle mass, strength and physical function in healthy older adults (33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39), with one review including people with and without chronic conditions (40) (Table 2). Whereas mixed findings have been reported regarding the effect of LCn-3 PUFA ingestion on muscle mass (40,41) and physical function (33) in healthy older adults, several recent meta-analyses indicate a small beneficial effect (effect sizes: Hedges g = 0.47 [0.02; 0.93], SMD of 0.54 [0.33, 0.75] and SMD of 0.12 [0.00: 0.24], respectively) of LCn-3 PUFA ingestion on strength (33,38,40). For instance, a systematic review conducted by Santo Andre et al (38) that included studies with or without concomitant exercise training reported a beneficial effect of LCn-3 PUFA ingestion on strength, but not muscle mass or physical function.…”

“…Whereas mixed findings have been reported regarding the effect of LCn-3 PUFA ingestion on muscle mass (40,41) and physical function (33) in healthy older adults, several recent meta-analyses indicate a small beneficial effect (effect sizes: Hedges g = 0.47 [0.02; 0.93], SMD of 0.54 [0.33, 0.75] and SMD of 0.12 [0.00: 0.24], respectively) of LCn-3 PUFA ingestion on strength (33,38,40). For instance, a systematic review conducted by Santo Andre et al (38) that included studies with or without concomitant exercise training reported a beneficial effect of LCn-3 PUFA ingestion on strength, but not muscle mass or physical function. Other systematic reviews found that LCn-3 PUFA supplementation elicited improvements in strength and/or physical function in the absence of changes in muscle massrelated outcomes (33,34,37).…”

A Brief Narrative Review of the Underlying Mechanisms Whereby Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Influence Skeletal Muscle: From Cell Culture to Human Interventions

“…A recent meta-analysis has indicated that a longer (6-month) intervention is likely needed at a dose higher than 2 g/day to contribute to small muscle mass gain, strength increases, and functional improvements in older adults [68]. Nonetheless, other meta-analyses have indicated that there is minimal effect on muscle mass and a slight improvement in muscle strength in older adults [69,70]. The two previous meta-analyses also indicated disparities in what occurred to functional ability with ω-3 supplementation, with one indicating an improvement [69] and one indicating no effect [70].…”