Published on December 23, 2019
Last week, we discussed the importance of vitamin D for sports health, due to its role in musculoskeletal health. Today we will focus on the benefits of omega-3s for the everyday athlete due to its role in muscle health and post-exercise recovery.
Omega-3s Important for Muscle Health & Post-exercise Recovery
Muscle stiffness, soreness, and loss of range of motion (ROM) are common negative effects of a new or strenuous exercise routine, which have shown to be reduced or prevented with fish oil supplements. Specific outcomes shown include the prevention of loss of muscle strength, decreased ROM, and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), as well as increased upper arm circumference and decreased muscle echo intensity (an indicator of muscle quality).
The onset of DOMS generally occurs within 24-48 hours following exercise, may be associated with swelling, tenderness and discomfort, and may be experienced up to 1 week following heavy exercise.
What Does Research Show?
A study by Lembke et al., “Influence of Omega-3 (N3) Index on Performance and Wellbeing in Young Adults after Heavy Eccentric Exercise,” compared the Omega-3 Index of subjects with the incidence of DOMS, which for each participant was measured on a visual scale of 1-10 at 0, 24-, 48-, 72-, and 96 hours post-exercise.
Healthy men and women over the age of 18 who were not currently taking any dietary supplements containing fish oil or omega-3 were allowed to participate in the study. Study subjects were given either an omega-3 dietary supplement (2.7 g EPA+DHA) each day (Group 1) or a placebo each day (Group 2) with food for 30 days prior to exercise.
After 30 days of supplementation, Group 1 (N=42) moved from an initial average Omega-3 Index of 3.6 up to 5.4 as measured at the start of the exercise portion of the intervention.
After 30 days of placebo, Group 2 (N=22) moved from an initial average Omega-3 Index of 3.8 to 3.9 as measured at the start of exercise.
The differences in delayed onset muscle soreness for each group were as follows (see chart below):
- The average DOMS measurement at 24 hours after exercise was 3.81 for those with an Omega-3 Index greater than 4 (Group 1) and 5.32 for those with an Omega-3 Index less than 4 (Group 2); approximately 28% lower DOMS for Group 1
- At 72 hours, DOMS was 2.19 for those with an Omega-3 Index greater than 4 and 4.36 for those with an Omega-3 Index less than 4; approximately 50% lower DOMS for Group 1
- At 96 hours, DOMS was 1.63 for those with an Omega-3 Index greater than 4 and 3.17 for those with an Omega-3 Index less than 4; approximately 49% lower DOMS for Group 1
This study also found a statistically significant difference between the two groups in C-reactive protein levels at 24 hours after exercise, with a trend for lower average CRP levels in Group 1 compared to Group 2 throughout the remaining time points. Subjects in Group 1 also had lower blood lactate levels directly after exercise and reported improved overall quality of life as measured by a more stable mood at 72 hours as compared with Group 2.
Specific to exercise, the findings of this study “support the hypothesis that higher omega-3 tissue levels may have a protective effect on muscle cells during exercise and may act by reducing the inflammatory response and subsequent DOMS.”
Are your vitamin D and omega-3 levels supportive of an active lifestyle?
Make sure you know your Omega-3 Index (target of at least 8%) and your vitamin D level (target of 40-60 ng/ml or 100-150 nmol/L), and are taking daily steps to keep both within range. Through GrassrootsHealth Nutrient Research Institute, you can also test your essential elements magnesium, copper, zinc and selenium, toxins such as lead, mercury and cadmium, as well as your inflammation levels and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level. Find out your levels today! Log on to the test selection page (click the link below) to get your tests and see for yourself if your levels can be improved.
Make sure you track your results before and after, about every 6 months!
How can I track my nutrient intake and levels over time?
To help you track your supplement use and nutrient levels, GrassrootsHealth has created an online tracking system called myData-myAnswers. For each specific supplement, you can track what days you take it, how much, and many other details. This will help you know your true supplemental intake and what patterns of use work for you to reach and maintain optimum nutrient levels. Check it out today!
How Can You Use this Information for YOUR Health?
Having and maintaining healthy vitamin D and other nutrient levels can help improve your health now and for your future. Measuring is the only way to make sure you are getting enough!
STEP 1 Order your at-home blood spot test kit to measure vitamin D and other nutrients of concern to you, such as omega-3s, magnesium, essential and toxic elements (zinc, copper, selenium, lead, cadmium, mercury); include hsCRP as a marker of inflammation or HbA1c for blood sugar health
STEP 2 Answer the online questionnaire as part of the GrassrootsHealth study
STEP 3 Using our educational materials and tools (such as our dose calculators), assess your results to determine if you are in your desired target range or if actions should be taken to get there
STEP 4 After 3-6 months of implementing your changes, re-test to see if you have achieved your target level(s)
