Seniors and nutrition: omega-3 consumption helps keep young by improving physical abilities
Seniors and nutrition: omega-3 consumption helps keep young by improving physical abilities
In the elderly, omega-3 consumption may have positive effects not only on cognitive ability, but is also associated with better physical performance. In fact, those over the age of 70 with a high omega-3 Index score higher on tests assessing lower limb function than those with a low omega-3 Index.
These are the findings of a study published in Clinical Nutrition, by researchers at the University of Toulouse, France.
Omega-3s help you stay healthy, especially in old age
Various scientific research has linked omega-3 fatty acids to a range of positive health effects, including improved brain, cardiovascular, and immune function, bone health, and increased sports performance. Indeed, there is ample evidence to suggest that omega-3s through their strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity may be useful in treating conditions associated with increased inflammatory status, such as loss of muscle mass and physical weakening.
In addition, it has been shown that EPA and DHA can promote the passage of red blood cells through capillaries, which could lead to increased oxygen delivery to the skeletal muscle system and subsequent improved physical performance. Finally, a potential role of omega-3s in the prevention of age-related physical decline could in part be explained by their ability to increase muscle protein synthesis.
The Omega-3 Index indicates the amount of EPA and DHA out of the total fatty acids in red blood cell membranes, and is a marker of omega-3 status, a good indicator of dietary omega-3 intake, and is also considered as an index of their long-term consumption. However, to date few studies have explored the association between omega-3 Index and physical performance in older adults. The purpose of the French study is precisely to evaluate the association between omega-3 status and SPPB scores in older adults.
The SPPB test is a battery of tests measuring physical performance, created to assess lower limb function, and is a marker of age-related decline in physical performance, identified as a good predictor of motor disability, and mortality in the elderly.
Is there a relationship between omega-3 index and motor skills?
The authors of the research tested the link between omega-3 status and physical function performance tests in those over the age of 70 by studying associations with omega-3 Index, the content in red blood cells of EPA and DHA. The results showed that subjects with low omega-3 Index had worse performance test results than those with high omega-3 Index. However, this association was not found to be statistically significant.
There may be several reasons why the association described in the study did not reach statistical significance, just as the research authors stated, pointing out that the cross-sectional nature of the study and the fact that the participants were all in relatively good health may have influenced the results and applicability to the general elderly population.
Some details of the study
To participate in the study, 1149 elderly people, 64.5 percent of them women, aged 71-80 years at risk of cognitive decline were involved. Inclusion criteria were memory deficits, memory limitation in one instrumental activity of daily living (e.g., ability to use the telephone, to shop, to prepare meals), slowness in walking. Exclusion criteria were a diagnosis of dementia and the presence of other conditions including Parkinson's disease.
In addition, subjects who had taken omega-3 supplements in the past 6 months were not included. Statistical analyses found that participants who were in the last group for omega-3 level, that is, who had the lowest levels of Omega-3 Index, showed significantly lower SPPB scores than participants in the other three groups with higher Omega-3 Index. However, adjusting the results for age, gender, cognitive function, depressive status and body mass index, the data showed that the association between omega-3 index and SPPB test had not reached statistical significance.
Prevention through nutrition
This research hypothesizes a relationship between omega-3 level and motor function, but more studies examining long-term associations between omega-3 status and changes in physical performance will be needed to shed light on this link. Above all, the findings demonstrate that identifying modifiable risk factors, such as diet, for declining physical performance is essential for planning effective primary prevention strategies for disability in the elderly.
You can measure your Omega-3 Index
The Omega-3 Index represents an independent element with respect to estimated dietary consumption of omega-3s, which can be especially useful for assessing cardiac risk, or simply to know if you are consuming enough EPA and DHA. Today measuring one's Omega-3 Index is super easy thanks to HS-Omega-3 Index, which allows anyone to easily determine their Omega-3 Index, from home.
Simply collect 3 drops of blood on a special filter paper that must be sent to the specific laboratory. The result will be communicated after a few days via e-mail.
Source: Bertrand Fougère, et al:, "Red blood cell membrane omega-3 fatty acid levels and physical performance: Cross-sectional data from the MAPT study." Clinical Nutrition. Volume 37, Issue 4, August 2018, Pages 1141-1144.
