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)