(25-10-15) Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation improves endothelial function and maximal oxygen uptake in endurance-trained athletes

Aleksandra Żebrowskaa*, Katarzyna Mizia-Stecb, Magda Miziab, Zbigniew Gąsiorb & Stanisław Poprzęckia
pages 305-314
Publishing models and article dates explained
Published online: 01 Sep 2014
Abstract
I risultati mostrano che i ciclisti che avevano assunto integratori di Omega-3 avevano un aumento significativo del flusso sanguigno, e quindi della salute vascolare, nonche' del massimo consumo di ossigeno, con un incremento della performance sportiva.
The study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 3-week n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) supplementation on serum nitric oxide (NO), asymmetric dimethyloarginine (ADMA), ultrasound indices of endothelial function and maximal oxygen uptake () of elite cyclists. The effects of dietary supplementation (n-3 PUFA at a dose of 1.3 g twice daily for 3 weeks) and placebo administration on flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), pulse wave velocity, serum markers (NO, ADMA), lipid profile, and were analysed in 13 cyclists both before and after dietary protocols. Significant differences between pre- and post-intervention baseline NO levels were observed after n-3 PUFA dietary protocol (13.9 ± 4.2 vs. 23.5 ± 3.6 µmol•l−1; P < 0.001). Higher post-intervention baseline NO level was observed after n-3 PUFA diet compared with placebo (23.5 ± 3.6 vs. 15.3 ± 3.0 µmol•l −1; P < 0.01, respectively). The n-3 PUFA increased baseline NO concentration (ΔNO) by 6.7 ± 3.8 µmol•l−1 and placebo by 1.6 ± 4.4 µmol•l−1. The positive correlation was observed between baseline post-intervention NO concentration and maximal oxygen uptake (r = 0.72; P < 0.01) and also between ΔNO and (r = 0.54; P < 0.05) in response to omega-3 fatty acids supplementation. There was an association between a 5.25% higher FMD (P < 0.05) and higher (P < 0.001) after n-3 PUFA diet compared with lower values of placebo (r = 0.68; P < 0.05). These findings suggest that an increase in NO release in response to n-3 PUFA supplementation may play a central role in cardiovascular adaptive mechanisms and enhanced exercise performance in cyclists.

Source: European Journal of Sport Science
Volume 15, Issue 4, 2015

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