As part of my masters program, I am working on a literature review on the effects of omega 3 fatty acid supplementation on increasing muscle mass.
"Available evidence from human studies supporting the theory of a direct effect of LCn-3PUFAs on muscle protein anabolism, muscle strength and functional capacity is limited, but are shown to be effective in the absence or presence of exercise; a well-established effective strategy for maintaining and/or gaining muscle mass [48, 49]. For instance, even in the absence of strength training exercise program, a 6-month study which investigated the potency of fish oil-derived LCn-3PUFAs in attenuating aging-linked loss of muscle mass and function in healthy older adults (aged 60-85 yr), found statistically significant increases in handgrip strength (2.3 kg), one-repetition maximum (1-RM) muscle strength (4%), and thigh muscle volume (3.6%) occurred in the LCn-3PUFAs group relative to the corn oil control group [50]. Instructively, although the improvements in skeletal muscle mass and function as a result of LCn-3PUFA treatment were less than the results reported in a similar study [27], which had a strength training regimen, they correspond to or surpass those induced by various hormonal therapies such as testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone [50-52]. "
In other words, omega 3 supplementation from fish oil increased muscle size and strength more then hormonal therapies such as testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone.
A 3.6% increase in muscle mass was seen, even in the absence of resistance training.
"Available evidence from human studies supporting the theory of a direct effect of LCn-3PUFAs on muscle protein anabolism, muscle strength and functional capacity is limited, but are shown to be effective in the absence or presence of exercise; a well-established effective strategy for maintaining and/or gaining muscle mass [48, 49]. For instance, even in the absence of strength training exercise program, a 6-month study which investigated the potency of fish oil-derived LCn-3PUFAs in attenuating aging-linked loss of muscle mass and function in healthy older adults (aged 60-85 yr), found statistically significant increases in handgrip strength (2.3 kg), one-repetition maximum (1-RM) muscle strength (4%), and thigh muscle volume (3.6%) occurred in the LCn-3PUFAs group relative to the corn oil control group [50]. Instructively, although the improvements in skeletal muscle mass and function as a result of LCn-3PUFA treatment were less than the results reported in a similar study [27], which had a strength training regimen, they correspond to or surpass those induced by various hormonal therapies such as testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone [50-52]. "
In other words, omega 3 supplementation from fish oil increased muscle size and strength more then hormonal therapies such as testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone.
A 3.6% increase in muscle mass was seen, even in the absence of resistance training.