Athletes are becoming more aware of the empirically based data recommending fish oil supplementation for performance, recovery, and health. New research in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, examined the effects of supplemental fish oil ingestion on resting metabolic rate, body composition, and on morning salivary cortisol concentrations.
Researchers assessed 44 subjects, randomly assigned in a double blind manner into 2 separate groups. The test group ingested 4 g/d of Safflower Oil and the control group ingested of 4 g/d of fish oil supplying 1,600 mg/d eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 800 mg/d docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The subjects supplemented their daily diet with 2 capsules at breakfast and 2 capsules at dinner for 6 weeks.
Researchers found that after only 6 weeks of supplementation with fish oil subjects significantly increased their lean mass measurements and decreased body fat mass measurements. There was also a noted significant reduction in salivary cortisol following the fish oil protocol. Researchers suggested that this reduction in salivary cortisol, found in the saliva of subjects following the fish oil protocol was significantly correlated with decreased fat mass.
Researchers assert that it is still necessary to conduct more research with a larger demographic to determine the short term and long term effects of fish oil supplementation on the body.
