BACKGROUND:Regular exercise and consuming long-chain n-3 fatty acids (FAs) from fish or fish oil can independently improve cardiovascular and metabolic health, but combining these lifestyle modifications may be more effective than either treatment alone. OBJECTIVE: We examined the individual and combined effects of n-3 FA supplements and regular exercise on body composition and cardiovascular health. DESIGN:Overweight volunteers [body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)): >25] with high blood pressure, cholesterol, or triacylglycerols were randomly assigned to one of the following interventions: fish oil (FO), FO and exercise (FOX), sunflower oil (SO; control), or SO and exercise (SOX). Subjects consumed 6 g tuna FO/d ( approximately 1.9 g n-3 FA) or 6 g SO/d. The exercise groups walked 3 d/wk for 45 min at 75% age-predicted maximal heart rate. Plasma lipids, blood pressure, and arterial function were assessed at 0, 6, and 12 wk. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at 0 and 12 wk only. RESULTS:FO supplementation lowered triacylglycerols, increased HDL cholesterol, and improved endothelium-dependent arterial vasodilation (P<0.05). Exercise improved arterial compliance (P<0.05). Both fish oil and exercise independently reduced body fat (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:FO supplements and regular exercise both reduce body fat and improve cardiovascular and metabolic health. Increasing intake of n-3 FAs could be a useful adjunct to exercise programs aimed at improving body composition and decreasing cardiovascular disease risk.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Regular exercise and consuming long-chain n-3 fatty acids (FAs) from fish or fish oil can independently improve cardiovascular and metabolic health, but combining these lifestyle modifications may be more effective than either treatment alone. OBJECTIVE: We examined the individual and combined effects of n-3 FA supplements and regular exercise on body composition and cardiovascular health. DESIGN: Overweight volunteers [body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)): >25] with high blood pressure, cholesterol, or triacylglycerols were randomly assigned to one of the following interventions: fish oil (FO), FO and exercise (FOX), sunflower oil (SO; control), or SO and exercise (SOX). Subjects consumed 6 g tuna FO/d ( approximately 1.9 g n-3 FA) or 6 g SO/d. The exercise groups walked 3 d/wk for 45 min at 75% age-predicted maximal heart rate. Plasma lipids, blood pressure, and arterial function were assessed at 0, 6, and 12 wk. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at 0 and 12 wk only. RESULTS: FO supplementation lowered triacylglycerols, increased HDL cholesterol, and improved endothelium-dependent arterial vasodilation (P<0.05). Exercise improved arterial compliance (P<0.05). Both fish oil and exercise independently reduced body fat (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: FO supplements and regular exercise both reduce body fat and improve cardiovascular and metabolic health. Increasing intake of n-3 FAs could be a useful adjunct to exercise programs aimed at improving body composition and decreasing cardiovascular disease risk.
Authors: Chad M Kerksick; Colin D Wilborn; Michael D Roberts; Abbie Smith-Ryan; Susan M Kleiner; Ralf Jäger; Rick Collins; Mathew Cooke; Jaci N Davis; Elfego Galvan; Mike Greenwood; Lonnie M Lowery; Robert Wildman; Jose Antonio; Richard B Kreider Journal: J Int Soc Sports Nutr Date: 2018-08-01 Impact factor: 5.150
Authors: Matthew F Muldoon; Kirk I Erickson; Bret H Goodpaster; John M Jakicic; Sarah M Conklin; Akira Sekikawa; Jeffrey K Yao; Stephen B Manuck Journal: J Nutr Date: 2013-07-24 Impact factor: 4.798
Authors: Gregor McCombie; Lucy M Browning; Christopher M Titman; Molly Song; John Shockcor; Susan A Jebb; Julian L Griffin Journal: Metabolomics Date: 2009-04-26 Impact factor: 4.290