Intake of Calanus finmarchicus oil for 12 weeks improves omega-3 index in healthy older subjects engaging in an exercise programme

authored by: Paulina Wasserfurth, Josefine Nebl, Tim Konstantin Boßlau, Karsten Krüger, Andreas Hahn, Jan Philipp Schuchardt
Abstract: The n-3 PUFA, EPA and DHA, play an important role in human health. As the intake of EPA and DHA from the diet is often inadequate, supplementation of those fatty acids is recommended. A novel source of n-3 PUFA is Calanus finmarchicus oil (CO) which contains fatty acids mainly bound in wax esters. To date, no data are available on the effects of long-Term intake of this marine oil on n-3 PUFA blood levels. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of CO on the n-3 PUFA blood levels using the omega-3 index (O3I). The data originate from a larger randomised controlled trial. For this analysis, samples from seventy-Two participants (59·2 (sd 6·2) years, BMI 27·7 (sd 5·28) kg/m2) were analysed. Of those, thirty-six performed 2×/week exercise and received 2 g of CO, which provided 124 mg stearidonic acid (SDA), 109 mg EPA and 87 mg DHA daily (EXCO group), while the other group performed exercise only (EX group) and served as a control for this analysis. The O3I increased from 6·07 (sd 1·29) % at baseline to 7·37 (sd 1·10) % after 12 weeks within the EXCO group (P < 0·001), while there were no significant changes in the EX group (6·01 (sd 1·26)-6·15 (sd 1·32) %, P = 0·238). These data provide first evidence that wax ester-bound n-3 PUFA from CO can significantly increase the O3I despite relatively low EPA + DHA amounts. Further, the effects of exercise could be excluded.
Organisation(s): Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Nutrition Physiology and Human Nutrition Section
External Organisation(s): Justus Liebig University Giessen
Type: Article
Journal: The British journal of nutrition
Volume: 125
Pages: 432-439
No. of pages: 8
ISSN: 0007-1145
Publication date: 28.02.2021
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Nutrition and Dietetics, Medicine (miscellaneous)
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being, SDG 14 - Life Below Water
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114520002809 (Access: Open)
https://doi.org/10.15488/12660 (Access: Open)