Long-chain n-3 fatty acids as an essential link between musculoskeletal and cardio-metabolic health in older adults

Witard, O. C., Combet, E. and Gray, S. R. (2020) Long-chain n-3 fatty acids as an essential link between musculoskeletal and cardio-metabolic health in older adults. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 79(1), pp. 47-55. (doi: 10.1017/S0029665119000922) (PMID:31282319)

Abstract

This narrative review aims to critically evaluate scientific evidence exploring the therapeutic role(s) of long-chain n-3 PUFA in the context of ageing, and specifically, sarcopenia. We highlight that beyond impairments in physical function and a lack of independence, the age-related decline in muscle mass has ramifications for cardio-metabolic health. Specifically, skeletal muscle is crucial in regulating blood glucose homeostasis (and by extension reducing type 2 diabetes mellitus risk) and providing gluconeogenic precursors that are critical for survival during muscle wasting conditions (i.e. AIDS). Recent interest in the potential anabolic action of n-3 PUFA is based on findings from experimental studies that measured acute changes in the stimulation of muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and/or chronic changes in muscle mass and strength in response to fish oil-derived n-3 PUFA supplementation. Key findings include a potentiated response of MPS to amino acid provision or resistance-based exercise with n-3 PUFA in healthy older adults that extrapolated to longer-term changes in muscle mass and strength. The key mechanism(s) underpinning this enhanced response of MPS remains to be fully elucidated, but is likely driven by the incorporation of exogenous n-3 PUFA into the muscle phospholipid membrane and subsequent up-regulation of cell signalling proteins known to control MPS. In conclusion, multiple lines of evidence suggest that dietary n-3 PUFA provide an essential link between musculoskeletal and cardio-metabolic health in older adults. Given that western diets are typically meagre in n-3 PUFA content, nutritional recommendations for maintaining muscle health with advancing age should place greater emphasis on dietary n-3 PUFA intake.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gray, Professor Stuart and Combet Aspray, Professor Emilie
• Authors: Witard, O. C., Combet, E., and Gray, S. R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Proceedings of the Nutrition Society
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• ISSN: 0029-6651
• ISSN (Online): 1475-2719
• Published Online: 08 July 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 79(1):47-55
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher